Loving a Lady by Nichole Van

Author:Nichole Van [Van, Nichole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Published: 2020-09-08T22:00:00+00:00

“Lord Graham, to what do I owe this honor?” Violet asked, walking into the drawing room.

Lord Graham turned toward her, a welcoming smile on his lips.

“Lady Kildrum.” He bowed, courtly and elegant. “How could I stay away from your charming presence?”

She motioned for him to be seated, and they conversed about pleasantries for a moment.

Yes, the weather had been quite nice as of late.

Yes, his mother was in good health.

Yes, her father and sisters were well, too.

Lord Graham sat back, crossing one elegant leg over another. “And what of your uncle and his . . .” He waved a hand in the air, as if searching for the words. “. . . pet, artistic pugilist? Are they yet in residence in Old Kilmeny?”

Violet’s jaw dropped.

Pet. Artistic. Pugilist.

Lord Graham at least had the decency to look marginally regretful over his tactless description.

“If you are referring to Mr. Campbell, then yes, he is still assisting Sir Joshua.” Violet kept her tone even but her eyes surely snapped with censure.

The very nerve!

She declined to add that Mr. Campbell was in Aberdeen at the moment but expected home later this evening.

What drove the pettiness of Lord Graham’s words? How ungentlemanly of him to make such a remark about her uncle’s guest, particularly to one so beneath Lord Graham’s own station in life. It spoke of a meanness of spirit that Violet did not like.

Silence descended.

Lord Graham shifted in his chair, an agitated sort of motion that was unlike him.

Good. He should squirm.

A footman brought in a tea tray with some sandwiches and biscuits. Violet poured for both of them, her temper cooling along with the tea. Perhaps her own personal feelings for Ewan were bleeding over into her reaction to Lord Graham’s words.

“Lady Kildrum,” he said, reaching for a triangle of shortbread, “I must offer my apologies—”

“There is no need, Lord Graham,” Violet sighed, sliding a cucumber sandwich on her own plate, feeling somewhat mollified at his attempt to apologize. He did possess admirable qualities. “We are friends, are we not?”

“Yes, but I fear I have given offense. I had not realized you had a specific friendship with Mr. Campbell.”

Lord Graham laid his words carefully, but Violet heard echoes of his mother’s censure in them.

Violet forced herself to think before speaking next. She had to tread carefully.

If Lady Graham discovered that Violet had been speaking with Ewan alone and unchaperoned the repercussions would be swift and severe. Her reputation would be in tatters and her sisters’ prospects significantly damaged.

“Mr. Campbell is a guest of Sir Joshua, and I therefore feel it is my duty, as a lady of this estate, to ensure that all who abide here are treated with kindness.”

Lord Graham smiled. “Such consideration toward those of the lesser classes is a credit to you, Lady Kildrum.”

Lesser classes?!

“Indeed. Well . . .” Violet floundered, her ire rising once more. She swallowed the insults stinging the tip of her tongue and managed a tight breath. “Let us speak no more of it. Here, I

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