Page 40 of The Duke of Ice
Violet sat down in the open chair between Miss Colton and Lady Lavinia. “I think it’s past time you all call me Violet.”
“Then you must call us Lavinia, Sarah, and Diana.” She glanced toward Miss Colton and Miss Kingman in succession. They both nodded in agreement.
“It would be my privilege,” Violet said.
Lavinia glanced behind her toward where the older matrons were holding court. The buzz of conversation coming from that direction was as constant as ever, like a beehive on a hot summer day.
“We had such a grand time today,” Lavinia said effusively, her eyes alight.
“Oh yes,” Sarah agreed, her cheeks a fetching shade of pale pink. “I must admit I didn’t try very hard to get away from Mr. Woodward in Kiss if You Can,” she said softly but with a heady excitement.
Lavinia giggled at this. “I knew it! I thought for certain the Duke of Romsey was going to catch me, but he didn’t. Perhaps he was still cross with me for tweaking his ear.”
“He was cheating,” Diana said with a gentle snort.
“It wasn’t as bad as Mr. Seaver saying there was a spider in my hair,” Sarah said, blinking at them. “I was terrified. I hate spiders.”
After a beat of silence, they all laughed, including Sarah.
“Oh damn,” Violet murmured. She glanced apologetically at the others. “I beg your pardon. But steel yourselves. Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law are coming.”
Sarah’s eyes widened slightly with fear while Lavinia boldly lifted her chin. Meanwhile, Diana looked as serene as ever, her features reflecting nothing but an air of calm indifference. She really was formidable when it came to putting on appearances.
“You ladies are certainly enjoying yourselves over here,” Lady Nixon said. “Do share what is so amusing.” Her smile was wide, but her eyes were dark with malicious intent. Or so Violet thought. The woman was unconscionable.
“Nothing really,” Violet said. “Just idle chatter.” She bared her teeth in a smile, knowing some found that vulgar but hoping Lady Nixon would understand she would not be cowed.
Mrs. Law forced the sort of laugh that had nothing to do with humor and everything to do with trying to manage a situation. “Oh come, you simplymustshare.” She looked directly at Sarah, who shrank in her chair. “Are you discussing this afternoon’s activities? It sounds as if it was most agreeable.”
Violet wanted to leap up and wave Mrs. Law away from Sarah. Perhaps with a sword since it felt as if the woman was targeting Sarah for strategic purposes as if they were in a battle.
“It was,” Sarah said uncertainly.
Lady Nixon sat down on the small settee next to Sarah. “What did you do?”
“We, ah, played games.”
Mrs. Law perched on the other side of Sarah, though there was scarcely room. This put her rather close to Violet—if she reached out, she could box the officious woman’s ears.
“What sort of games?” Mrs. Law asked.
Sarah glanced between the two women who’d surrounded her as if they were conducting a siege. “Kiss the Nun.”
Mrs. Law clapped her hands together. “Delightful! Who kissed whom? Should we alert anyone’s parents?” She laughed loudly, and the rest of the women from their grouping on the other side of the room came to stand around their chairs and the settee. Violet’s neck prickled under all the attention.
She decided to do something good with it.
“All the gentlemen behaved nobly and with enviable charm. I thought the Duke of Romsey, was particularly game. Wouldn’t you agree, ladies?” She glanced around at the others and silently prodded them to join in her campaign to rehabilitate Simon.
“Without reservation,” Lavinia said. “I tugged his ear a bit too hard in Kiss the Nun, and he was quite magnanimous.”
“Did you?” Lady Nixon said with a laugh. “Well, it’s hardly anything a gentleman doesn’t deserve.” She exchanged a look with Mrs. Law, who also laughed, as did several others.
Violet met Hannah’s distressed gaze. “Shall we go back and sit?” Hannah suggested nervously. “The gentlemen will likely arrive shortly.”
“Oh, and we wouldn’t want them to know we’re discussing them,” Mrs. Law said, chortling.
“But that’s all we do,” Mrs. Stinnet said from behind Diana’s chair. “Mostly.”
