Harlequin Historical December 2017--Box Set 1 of 2 by Sophia James

Author:Sophia James
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488021954
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

‘Lady Viola, I need your help,’ Lady Anne Lowell whispered in rushed undertones as they took their seats in the chapel for Brockmore’s midnight service. ‘I need you to do something for me.’ Anne’s hushed excitement was at odds with the serenity of their surroundings, candles illuminating the rich stained-glass windows that lined either side of the little church as midnight approached.

Intrigued, Viola leaned towards Anne, making sure her mother couldn’t hear. ‘What is it?’ Anything to cause a little trouble.

‘I need you to distract Penrith.’ Anne leaned near, offering words of encouragement, trying to avoid the censorious glance of her cousin, Marianne, who sat beside her on the aisle. ‘It shouldn’t be difficult. I am only asking because you seem to be the logical choice. He was interested in you at dinner. Your heads were close together.’

Viola stifled a snort. If Anne only knew what had been said. Her friend might be less impressed with her abilities to ‘distract’ Penrith. ‘Distract him? Whatever for? I don’t know that Penrith finds me very compelling.’

‘Whoever for,’ Anne corrected. ‘For me.’

Viola raised an eyebrow in enquiry, not quite sure she understood Anne’s concern. ‘You’ve only been seated by each other for a single dinner. It’s hardly a proposal.’

‘Don’t you see it?’ Anne argued swiftly. ‘Conventional wisdom suggests Brockmore wants to find him a wife. He’s thirty and its time for him to set up his nursery in earnest, especially after all the bad Brockmore luck these past four years. He really dare not wait.’ She blushed and looked down modestly at her hands. ‘I suspect that’s why I’m here. In fact, I know it. My father and Brockmore have it all worked out.’

‘You’re to be the virgin sacrifice?’ Viola said frankly, tossing Penrith a more assessing glance past Anne’s shoulder, considering Penrith’s suitability for Anne. ‘I suppose he’s handsome enough.’ Penrith would be considered a catch by many, just not by her.

‘He’s certainly rich enough.’ Anne answered practically, ‘but I’m not interested.’ She looked at her hands again, preparing to dissemble. ‘I have fixed my attentions elsewhere, some time ago,’ she confessed shyly before adding, ‘with Kenelm. Please?’

Viola’s instincts were on alert now. She gave Anne a sly look, taking in Anne with a new level of respect. Perhaps she wasn’t such a virgin sacrifice, after all, like so many other young women too afraid to stand up for what they wanted. ‘You and Kenelm? You know each other from before?’ Perhaps more than knew each other if she considered Anne’s words. Anne blushed again and Viola waited for the secret to come out. The vicar was ascending the steps to the pulpit. She hoped Anne would hurry or else she’d have to wait until the service was over.

‘You can’t tell anyone. Nothing is official. His father…’ Anne’s voice dropped off decorously, a sure signal there were secrets for the probing if Viola was willing. ‘Will you do it for me?’

‘If I do,’ Viola said slowly, ‘you have to do something for me.

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