Page 11 of The Duke of Ice
All three young ladies swung their heads to stare at Violet.
“How can you not know?” Miss Kingman asked.
“I’m afraid I don’t pay much attention to gossip.” How many times had she stopped Hannah from sharing the latest on-dit? Too many to count.
“It’s quite a lurid tale.” Lady Lavinia lowered her voice and glanced about before fixing her stare on Violet. “It is said he killed his wife—pushed her down the stairs.”
Violet was instantly outraged for the man. “What a horrid rumor.”
“It’s not a rumor,” Miss Colton said softly. “He has said himself that he doesn’t remember what happened.”
“Are you saying he doesn’t dispute it?” Violet asked.
“That is the rumor,” Lady Lavinia said.
This was a prime example of why Violet despised rumors. “Was he formally accused of this crime? Or tried for it in the court?”
“Charges were never brought,” Lady Lavinia said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “But everyone knows what truly happened. Such a tragedy. She was apparently expecting their first child to boot.”
Violet’s gut clenched. She’d lost several children—three—but not because she’d fallen down the stairs. No, her body was simply not able to carry a child, a defect her husband pointed out at every opportunity. “How awful.”
“I have to admit that he doesn’t look like a murderer.” Miss Colton shrugged. “I thought he was rather handsome, to be honest.” Color flooded her cheeks, and she looked down at her lap.
Lady Lavinia giggled softly, then reached over and patted Miss Colton’s hand. “I did too.”
Miss Colton looked up at her and joined in with soft laughter.
“It’s his eyes,” Miss Kingman said, her lips quirking into a half smile. “Such a rich brown, like velvet. And little gold flecks that make them glimmer.”
Lady Lavinia looked at her sharply. “Do you have your sights on him?”
Miss Kingman’s gaze cooled. “Of course not. Finding someone attractive doesn’t mean they would be a good match.”
It was precisely the same sentiment Violet’s mother had repeated eight years ago. Violet’s “love” for Nick hadn’t been real. Finding someone handsome and being drawn to them physically were not nearly as important to a marriage as placement in Society. She’d convinced the young Violet of that truth, that what her heart wanted didn’t matter. It seemed Miss Kingman had been schooled in the same manner.
“My mother tells me that all the time,” Miss Colton said with a sigh. “I argue with her—loveisimportant.”
“Companionship at least,” Lady Lavinia put in. “I can’t imagine marrying a man I didn’t evenlike.” She gave a delicate shudder.
Miss Kingman showed no outward reaction to the other girls’ commiseration. “We must trust that things will work out.”
Violet couldn’t tell if the young woman believed that or was merely reciting what had been drilled into her head. In her own experience, things hadn’t worked out—at least not with regard to her marriage. But now she was a widow and blissfully independent.
Violet coughed delicately. “So the Duke of Romsey isn’t someone any of you wish to pursue.” All three women shook their heads in the negative. “Well, there are several other eligible bachelors here. Mr. Adair’s father is a baron. And I believe Mr. Woodward is heir to a viscountcy.”
“Mr. Seaver is quite charming,” Miss Colton said.
Violet didn’t know him. “Excellent. I think you’ll all be quite entertained.”
“I hope the weather clears so that we may fish tomorrow.”
Violet turned to look at Miss Kingman, who’d spoken the surprising statement. “You fish?”
She nodded. “Though I won’t be allowed tomorrow, I suppose. I shall have to suffer with only watching.”
“How unfortunate,” Violet said, her mind working. “I can speak to Mrs. Linford. I’m sure she can arrange something.”
Miss Kingman went a bit pale. “No, thank you. I wouldn’t want to cause a fuss. Truly. I am quite content to watch the men fish.” She gave them a serene smile, but Violet wasn’t entirely sure she meant it.
