Page 33 of One Night of Surrender
Her husband certainly hadn’t bothered.He’d spent all his time gambling, except for when he rode his horse or walked with his dogs—anything to spend time away from her.When she hadn’t swelled with child in three years of marriage, he’d stopped coming to her bed, not that she’d minded.He’d been a cursory bedmate, which was better than what he might have been, but so much worse than what she’d hoped.Val had set her up for certain disappointment.She’d known she would always compare her husband to him, but when the former had turned out to be so lacking, it was impossible not to agonize over what she was missing.
And what Val’s wife had possessed.
The dowager’s words came back to her—jealousy was a pitiful emotion.She was right, and Isabelle had worked very hard not to dwell in it.
When they returned to Berkeley Square, Val accompanied them inside.Deciding it was best if she spent as little time with him as possible, even in the company of others, Isabelle escaped to her room.There, she wrote more letters to schools that might be hiring, as far away as York.Distance would ease the ache of loss.
It would also put an end to temptation.
Val accompanied his sister and Isabelle into the house.Even though Viola had said she would deal with their grandmother regarding Isabelle’s new job, and he should probably keep his nose out of Isabelle’s affairs, he wanted to ensure Viola was able to manage the situation.
After this, he would step away.He’d done all he could.He’d made sure Isabelle was safely lodged and had a job, which was most important to her.There was nothing more he could do.Rather, there was nothing more she would allow.
Grandmama greeted them in the library, which was just off the entrance hall.“Eastleigh, don’t you have better things to do than squire Viola and her chaperone about?”
“It was my pleasure to do so,” he said smoothly.
Viola took a chair near the dowager.“He helped Mrs.Cortland secure a position at Dangerfield’s.”She looked up at him, almost daring him to dispute her.
She knew he had orchestrated it?Hell, she must have overheard their conversation with Dangerfield?She must have.Val had thought they were far enough away across the shop.He worked very hard not to scowl at his sister.
Grandmama stared at him expectantly.“Is that so?”
“She is looking for employment, and I was merely trying to help her.”
“Are you aware of why she left Barkley’s employ prematurely?”Grandmama asked.
Of course he knew.She’d found a job—at his tavern.But he wasn’t going to tell his grandmother that.“It wasn’t really premature,” Val said.“Barkley dismissed her.”
“Don’t you find her dismissal strange?”Grandmama mused.“She’s incredibly qualified and capable at what she does.Any intelligent person would simply have hired a second governess to teach what she doesn’t.However, Barkley didn’t do that.Barkley terminated her employment.”
What the devil was she getting at?“Grandmama, I’ve never known you not to speak plainly.”
“And I’ve never known you to be obtuse.The blackguard had a tendre for Mrs.Cortland, and Lady Barkley knew it.Hence, Lady Barkley got rid of her.”
Fury squeezed at Val’s insides, and it was all he could do not to go home and throw Barkley out.No, he’d punch him first, andthenhe’d throw him out.And maybe punch him again.“She didn’t tell me that.”
“And why should she?You were simply her host, barely an acquaintance.Yet here you are managing her affairs—securing her lodgings and finding her employment.Good heavens, Eastleigh, if you want to make her your mistress, do so already.”Grandmama turned her head briefly toward Viola.“Pretend you didn’t hear that, dear.”
Viola blew out a breath.“I’m five and twenty, Grandmama.I am not unaware of the world.”
“I’d prefer to think you are unaware of such arrangements, even if you are not,” she said crisply.“Humor me.”
“I do not wish to make her my mistress,” Val said through somewhat gritted teeth.He wasn’t lying exactly.He hadn’t thought to make her his mistress—she would never agree.But now that it had been suggested…
No.
“Then, let her alone.”Grandmama’s tone was stern as she narrowed her eyes up at him.“If you spent half this much time in the pursuit of a wife, you might actually find one.”
Val had endured enough on that subject.If only his grandmother knew how much he did, in fact, humor her.“I am not ready to take another wife, and I’d appreciate it very much if you’d stop pressing the matter.”
Grandmama’s eyes blazed with irritation.“What on earth are you waiting for?I understand your reticence, but it’s been three years.You will not make the same mistake twice.”She stood.“I will look after Mrs.Cortland, and in exchange, you will join me at Almack’s next week.I promise it won’t be painful.”
She departed the library, leaving Val to stare after her in anger and disbelief.“The hell it won’t be,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry about that,” Viola said quietly, reminding him of her presence since he’d quite forgotten she was even there.“But you invited it upon yourself.”
He jerked his head toward his annoying sibling.“And what should I have done, let Mrs.Cortland fend for herself?”Because that was what would have happened.She wasn’t going to stay in Barkley’s employ, of that he was now certain.Val could hardly wait to get home and toss him out.He looked forward to having his household back to normal, and it had nothing to do with their daughters but everything to do with Lady Barkley.She was an aggravating presence.
