“Thank you, Eddie,” she said, her voice soft.
“You haven’t opened it yet,” he replied, looking awkward.
She glanced over at Aubrey who was watching her brother, a cautious and wary expression in his own eyes. When he’d discovered Violette after that dreadful row, he’d been fit to be tied, and it had been all she could do to persuade him not to go and call him out. They’d had words, though, she knew, though Aubrey said the marquess had said little in his own defence. It hadn’t helped the simmering animosity between the two people she loved most in the world, though. The thought saddened her.
Since then, they’d barely seen Edward, and she was ashamed to say that everyone had been a great deal more relaxed when he wasn’t around.
Violette gave the purple silk ribbon a tug and pulled the paper away to reveal a leather jewellery box. Opening the little clasp, she gave a gasp as a familiar set of emerald earrings and a stunning necklace glittered before her.
“Oh, Eddie!” she exclaimed.
“They were Mother’s,” he said, walking away a little to stand by the fire. “I know she intended for you to have them, so ...”
He shrugged, looking more awkward than ever. It was as though he didn’t fit in his own skin anymore, she thought with a surge of pity. There was resentment, too, though, towards the war that had taken the brother she had known and adored, and put this angry, uncertain man in his place.
She got to her feet and reached up, kissing her brother on the cheek.
“Thank you, Eddie, you’ve made me very happy.”
She squeezed his hand and saw the relief in his eyes. They’d barely spoken since that terrible row, and she knew that this was his apology. She found she was only too willing to accept it.
“Well, then,” she said, her tone a little too bright to be natural. “The guests will be arriving shortly so ... I suppose we’d better get ready.”
***
Belinda looked across the carriage and wished with all her heart that there was anyone else in the world other than Aunt Grimble who could have chaperoned them. If their own lack of dowry wasn’t hurdle enough to scramble over, the mean-spirited, vulgar creature in front of her was the biggest. Surely, they would scare off any suitable gentleman unless perhaps he was head over heels in love.
The idea of any man feeling so passionately about her was so unlikely that Belle had to stifle a bubble of laughter and covered her mouth with her hand. Crecy could, of course; she could inspire such devotion and passion with barely a lift of one elegant blonde brow, provided she kept her mouth shut.
Oh God, they were doomed.
Such gloomy thoughts fled however as they caught their first glimpse of Longwold.
“Goodness gracious!” Belle exclaimed as the vast building came into sight. “Would you look at that!”
Crecy had been positively bouncing in her seat for the entire journey, which was most out of character, but the chance of seeing Longwold seemed to have awoken something in the young woman. She had been full of excitement at the chance to see and explore the building, though Belle well knew she was dreading the house party itself.
“How impressive it is!” Crecy agreed, as the huge, sprawling castle appeared, lit by a weak winter morning sunshine that glittered upon the frost tinged countryside. “I wonder how many ghosts there are?”
“I wonder how much a man like the marquess is worth?” Aunt Grimble mused, her avaricious little dark eyes glittering.
Belle started at her aunt’s vulgar words. Oh God, please don’t let her get any foolish notions about Lord Winterbourne, she prayed as she regarded her aunt in disgust. The woman was too lost in whatever covetous daydreams she was indulging to notice the twin expressions of revulsion opposite her, but Belle and Crecy exchanged a horrified glance. Heaven help them.
They were ushered into the vast building by a daunting butler and more footmen than Belle had ever seen in one place in her life. Glancing over at Crecy, she knew her sister was feeling just as far out of her depth as she was and they stood close together to try and gain a little courage. She found she had never been more relieved to see a familiar face than when Lady Russell appeared with their hostess, the marquess’ sister.
“Here we are, Violette,” Lady Russell said, smiling on Belle with great warmth. “This is Miss Belinda Holbrook, the young lady I spoke of, and this charming creature must be your sister?”
“Yes, Lady Russell, this is Lucretia, and my aunt, Mrs Grimble.”
Lady Russell’s shrewd eyes took in her aunt, and Belle flushed as she felt quite certain Lady Russell knew exactly what kind of woman she was. Stirring herself to draw the elegant older lady’s attention away from her aunt, Belle drew Crecy forward who smiled at Violette, looking a little less daunted under the young woman’s unaffected greeting.
“We’re so happy you could join us,” Violette said, clasping Belle’s hand. “I do hope you will forgive my brother, the marquess, for not being here. He’s ... he’s most terribly busy, b-but he’ll be at dinner this evening, of course.” She gave a slightly anxious-looking smile and stepped closer. “In truth, I’ve not been much out in society, and I don’t know half of the people here either, but dear Seymour assures me that we shall get along famously, so I have nothing to fear, do I?”
“Well, not on our account, I hope,” Belle replied, laughing and finding herself charmed by the lovely young woman. Seeing her and Crecy together, two blonde beauties making a perfectly stunning picture, made her realise her chances of finding a husband here were slim indeed. No man in their right mind would even notice her. But nonetheless, she was touched by the genuine warmth of their greeting, and was determined that she would make the most of whatever opportunities came her way.
***
“Oh my word!” Belle exclaimed once they were left alone, as Crecy gave a shriek of delight and bounced onto the massive four poster bed, laying herself out like a stranded starfish.
“It’s big enough for four!” Crecy cried in astonishment.
Though a little scandalised, Belle could only laugh and agree. They both shared a poky, dark room at home with narrow single beds. This, by comparison, was luxurious beyond her wildest dreams, and to think, the best rooms had been reserved for the most important guests! It seemed impossible.
“I feel like I’ve fallen into a fairy story,” she said, trying to take in all of the details so that she wouldn’t ever forget them.
“Well, let’s hope it’s the one where the handsome prince sweeps you off your feet,” Crecy said, laughing as she cast her bonnet aside.