The Kissing Bough by Ellis Madelynne

Author:Ellis, Madelynne [Ellis, Madelynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance
Publisher: Incantatrix Press
Published: 2015-05-08T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Are you decided, Viola?”

Aunt Clara still sat by the fireside when she returned to the old nursery. “You’re back a little earlier than I anticipated.”

“Sir Hutsby-Mede!” Viola protested, needing an outlet for all the mixed emotions she was feeling. “I can’t believe you would allow father to marry me to that man.”

Her aunt stopped knitting in order to look at her. “Whatever are you blabbering about, girl? It’s not Sir Hutsby-Mede your father has in mind for you. Not unless something radical has happened between luncheon and this moment.”

“It isn’t? But Tom prompted him to ask me to dance.”

“Your brother takes great delight in stirring trouble. Come and sit down, and tell me what has happened. I sense something else is troubling you besides Thomas’ mischief.”

Viola drew close to the fire, after the heat of the crowded salon, the nursery wing seemed particularly cold and dreary. “If it’s not Hideous Hutsby, then who is it?”

Her aunt smiled, “Gracious, you must be able to guess. The man’s admired you since you were small.”

Viola shook her head. Since she was small. What man had even known her then? “Mr. Bellshawe!” she blurted not a moment later. “Surely you’re not serious. He’s older than father. I think he remembers the Tea Act being passed.” She sank heavily into chair, no more able to envisage life as Mrs. Lawrence Bellshawe, than she was able to countenance a life as the wife of Sir Hutsby-Mede. Though at least she imagined Mr. Bellshawe would be kind, and that had been her wish all those hours ago. Maybe she ought to be contented and accept that, and not think about William’s kisses, and what he claimed he’d like to do to her.

“Tell me what occurred with Lord Ricborough. Did you give him an answer?”

“Not precisely.”

“It’s not like you, Viola, to dither so much. It’s clear from looking at you, that he’s won your heart, so tell me why you’re head’s in rebellion.”

She shook her head, still unwilling to divulge her concerns. They were the sorts of concerns best kept to one’s self. It would only endanger William and Percy to voice remarks anyway. So they sat in silence, except for the clack of the knitting needles.

“If you’re averse to Mr. Bellshawe, then you need to settle whatever is concerning you with regards to Lord Ricborough, my dear, and time is running out. Let’s hope he’s not the sort that sleeps horribly late.”

“I imagine he does.”

“Ah well,” Aunt Clara reached across and patted her knee.

“What should I do?” Viola pleaded a moment later.

“Dear, didn’t I already say? You must do whatever it takes to settle the matter.”

Whatever it takes? That would mean doing as Percy requested, and visiting them in their room. She was worldly enough to realise that ravishment would be the result. Percy didn’t mean for them to talk things through. He meant for them to bed her.

A knot of fear tightened in her stomach, only to be immediately unravelled by a throb of longing. Ravishment didn’t seem so very terrible a proposition when she thought about it.

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