Page 63 of The Duke of Ice
His slow smile was thoroughly self-satisfied. “I’ve planned everything.” He lifted a shoulder. “Almost. It all depends on you, of course. If you’d like to leave now, I think I might too. I may have somewhere to be, actually.” He looked at her in question. No, ininvitation.
“I do believe I’m ready to retire.” She stood, and he made a show of taking her hand and bowing.
“Until we meet again, Lady Pendleton.”
Violet’s heart thundered, and her breathing quickened. Anticipation raced through her, and she had to work to modulate her steps as she made her way from the tearoom. She was achingly aware of his gaze burning into her back.
It took forever to get her coach, and when she didn’t see Nick leave the Assembly Rooms behind her, she worried that he wasn’t coming. However, as her vehicle departed, she caught sight of him exiting.
As soon as she reached her small town house, she informed her butler that she was retiring. He would also retire, which would leave the night footman. Violet’s maid, Chalke, who also served as the housekeeper, would go down to her chamber as soon as she finished helping Violet prepare for bed.
She wondered how Nick would get into the house, but since he’d said he’d planned everything, she had to assume he had things well in hand. Did that include knowing the location of her bedchamber?
Chalke, a middle-aged woman with bright red hair, met her at the door to her room. “Good evening, my lady. Did you have a pleasant time?”
Violet smiled at the maid, whom she’d hired when she’d moved to Bath two and a half years ago. She’d liked Chalke immediately. The woman had a motherly air about her but also a sense of mischief and warmth that Violet had sorely needed in her life after Clifford’s death. “I did, thank you.” She walked into her dressing room, Chalke trailing her.
Violet set down her reticule and removed her earrings while Chalke unfastened the pearls adorning Violet’s neck. “Did you dance?” the maid asked.
“I did.” Violet set the jewelry on the dressing table.
After setting the necklace beside the earrings, Chalke began unlacing the back of Violet’s gown. “But you didn’t stay for the whole ball. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Chalke made a noise in her throat that sounded a bit like disapproval. “I can feel how tense you are. If you don’t tell me what’s the matter, I’ll make you drink one of my toddies. And not the ones you like either.”
Violet looked over her shoulder and met Chalke’s eyes. “Are you threatening me?”
Chalke gave her a smile that was really more of a smirk. “I’m fussing. I think you secretly like that.”
“I’m fine, truly.”
“You’ve been on edge a few days now. It’s as if you’re waiting for something to happen.” Chalke helped her out of the dress and took it to the armoire. “You can confide in me. If you want to.”
Yes, she could talk to her. In fact, Violet had done that many times during Chalke’s employment. She knew all about the man from Violet’s past—the one she’d fallen love with and had to walk away from. What Chalke didn’t know was that Violet had become reacquainted with that man. Violet hadn’t wanted to talk about him, not when it seemed she was moving forward alone. Then when he’d appeared at the Sydney Hotel, she’d been afraid to share her excitement. She was so afraid it would evaporate. Yes, she was waiting for something to happen—good or bad.
Violet kicked off her shoes. “You remember the man from my past?”
“The one you met here in Bath?” Chalke returned to unlace her corset.
“The same. I didn’t tell you, but he was at Hannah’s house party.”
Chalke’s eyes widened as she looked up at Violet. “You’ve been keeping secrets! How lovely.” She chuckled softly. “I imagine it was wonderful to see him.”
“It was certainly surprising. Well, he’s here now.”
Chalke removed the corset and set it aside before returning to help take the petticoat over Violet’s head. “Here in Bath? That’s extraordinary! Was he at the ball tonight?”
“He was.”
“It’s no wonder you’re apprehensive. Is there a hope that you’ll reconcile?”
“Yes.” But that was all she had right now—a hope. They’d discussed nothing about the future. Which they shouldn’t. Not until they determined if they would suit. She wanted to know so many things about him. Maybe she could ask him tonight, provided he actually came.
Do you think there will be talking?
Violet stifled a smile.
