15. Chapter Fifteen

Kairos

Chapter Fifteen

The London Season of 1794 had proven to be one filled with the usual excitements and amusements as it entered its last two weeks and the tittering Mamas of the Ton stopped to take stock of the engagements and scandals that had occurred that year. Although the engagement of the Viscount Bridgerton and Miss Clympton had been an early revelation, there had been later shocks, such as the sudden marriage and departure of the new Lord and Lady Featherington. Then quite suddenly in the last week, the Duke of Andover had fled to the continent, leaving the expectant Miss Kendall in the lurch and upon the same night, the charming Miss Wethering had given her much sought after hand to the patient Lord Paisley. All in all, as the Season headed towards its final week, there had been plenty of drama to keep even the most gossip hungry Mama satiated, at least for the time being!

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"Tell me everything!" Violet had not meant to exclaim this phrase with quite so much volume, but her cousin laughed rather than hold her ears.

"I don't know what you want me to say!" Cordelia exclaimed.

"Where, when, how, what?" her cousin threw at her.

The pretty blond laughed again. "Where – by the Serpentine, when – yesterday afternoon, how – on one knee behind a particularly fat holly bush, what – a beautiful princess cut ring and with a voice that I am amazed to say shook when he expressed himself."

"And you love him? Oh Cordelia, promise me that you will never marry for anything but the deepest love."

Her cousin glared at her, "Really Violet? You think I haven't enough common sense to understand a man with true intentions?"

"Sorry," Violet instantly apologised, "But do you love him?"

Cordelia smiled, "I do. I truly do, Vi. He has taken such pains to know me and take his time to woo me. He even read Le Morte D'Arthur for me Violet! And he tells me that he loathes speaking French, but he did it for me." Violet forbore to laugh but couldn't resist an amused smile.

Her cousin saw it and chuckled. "I know! I sound utterly ridiculous! But dear Rupert has taken such pains to know me Violet, I realised he was in earnest a fortnight ago and I allowed myself to properly get to know him."

Her cousin's amusement softened, "Tell me of him."

"He's kind, thoughtful and very amusing. He's told me all about his time at Oxford and it sounds like they got into many a scrape! But then he explained that now his father is growing gradually more frail he came determined to find a wife this Season and take over the running of the family estates. But what he wasn't expecting was to fall in love quite so deeply and be the laughing stock of his friends for being a "heartfelt sop"." Cordelia started giggling at this, a blush staining her cheeks.

Violet's smile grew. "I believe the Viscount received a similar roasting when he became engaged to me!"

The conversation continued in this vain for a quite a while until "Lord Paisley and Mr Bridgerton" were announced. Both ladies rose and Violet had the pleasure to see Cordelia's eyes light up as his lordship entered. He returned it with a joyful look of his own and Violet exchanged an amused glance with her future brother in law.

"Good morning, my love," Lord Paisley greeted his fiancé, "We are the talk of the town!"

"So I've heard dearest," Cordelia replied with a twinkle as he kissed her had, "My cousin was just thanking me for taking the focus off herself and the Viscount."

"Yes indeed," Violet replied, "Please feel free to promote your engaged bliss in public as much as you can so that the Viscount and I can get married in peace. By the way, may I be among the first to offer you many congratulations, your lordship."

"Thank you, Miss Clympton," Lord Paisley replied happily, "I am the luckiest of men." He looked at Cordelia with such affection that the whole room could not help hearing Harold's eye roll.

"Is come to this? Will I never see a sixty-year old bachelor again or will all men be swindled into marriage while they're young? Go ahead, then, if you have to yoke yourself to marriage, like an ox carrying his load, and throw away your free time. Look, Don Pedro has come back for you!" he exclaimed.

Cordelia and Violet were vastly amused, while Lord Paisley just looked confused, "What are you prattling about Bridgerton?"

His lordship's fiancé took pity upon him, "He's quoting Much ado about Nothing, my lord. Where Benedic hears that Claudio means to propose to Hero."

"And a very suitable quote for very suitable circumstances it was, Harold," Violet agreed, "if only for poor Lord Paisley's puzzlement."

"Speaking of puzzlement, my dear Violet. My esteemed brother went to your father's house this morning and will be greatly affronted that I have the good fortune to have found you before him!"

"The Viscount will not be able to escape my company in two week's time, Harold. I am sure he will be making the most of the remainder of his bachelordom."

"In truth, dear sister, I have never seen a man more ready to take up the yoke," her future brother in law muttered, "He is quite sickening in his praise of you!"

Violet felt herself flushing and quickly turned the conversation round to discussion of her cousin and Lord Paisley's wedding. They managed to stay diverted for the next half hour before she had to leave for a lunch engagement and accepted his offer of an escort home. They strolled in a comfortable manner down the street and were heading through a nearby park when Harold mentioned another scandal.

"Well, your friend Miss Kendall is devastated."

"Oh yes, I have heard," she agreed, "I do wonder that she ever imagined that the Duke would propose, he's the greatest rake that ever graced London's streets. I quite pity the poor girl who has to marry him."

"Well I do not imagine that this will be an issue for quite a number of years," Harold assured her, "He has declared that he will not marry for years at the club."

"Why should he, Harold? He has wealth, title and a thoroughly doting Mama. In fact, I pity the poor girl who does agree to marry him, I doubt the Dowager will find any young woman acceptable for her 'darling boy'."

Mr Bridgerton nodded, his face solemn for a moment. "For all my joking, I do hope to experience what you and Edmund have with my own wife one day."

"Then be patient and don't jump at the first pretty face," she advised. "What your brother and I experienced was incredibly rare. Lord Paisley and Miss Wethering's form of courtship is far more the norm. Take time and patience to woo and get to know your prospective bride and then if you feel assured of her affection, ask her father."

Harold nodded. "That simple, eh?"

Violet laughed and lightly hit his arm, "Just that simple, brother dearest." He laughed and grinned at her with affection. "You know it's very unfair," she commented as they entered Grosvenor Square.

"What is?" he asked.

"I get another brother through marriage, but nothing resembling a sister."

"Ah well, such are the hardships of life, sister dear," he replied smirking.

They were just strolling along when he was struck by a thought. They had paused outside the prominent façade of Bridgerton house, in which Violet had only been a few times. The irony of this struck her as they approached the wisteria clad exterior.

"Shall we pay a visit?" he asked.

"But Edmund isn't here …" she began.

"So? This is your house just as much as it's his."

"Not for another two weeks …"

"And it's mine and Mother's …"

"All right, but on your head be it."

A wicked grin was the only response to this enquiry as Harold bounded up the stairs and knocked loudly upon the door. It was opened by a rather startled looking butler.

"Master Harold!" he exclaimed.

"Hello Painswick, you remember Miss Clympton?"

The butler bowed, "Of course, welcome to Bridgerton House once again, Miss Clympton." Violet blushed slightly but nodded,

"Thank you, Painswick, I apologise for the abruptness of our arrival. Mr Bridgerton continues to be … spontaneous shall we say?"

She saw the responding twinkle in the butler's eye and felt somewhat reassured. "We're very used to it, my lady, please don't be alarmed about myself and Mrs Theakston being unprepared," he reassured her. "In fact, would you care to see the Mistress' chambers? Mrs Theakston was going to write to you soon and request that you share any alterations you might wish to make to the draperies, furniture or hangings."

Before she knew it, Violet was deep in discussions about furnishings with her new future housekeeper and found herself pondering the rooms with a great curiosity. Harold had disappeared after realising that his companion had been "abducted by the domestic" as he put it and she found herself enjoying the company of Mrs Theakston. Though somewhat older that Aubrey Hall's Mrs Mays, she had a very persuasive manner about her and somehow managed to explain to Violet the preference of teal over cerulean.

Violet was still deeply in the contemplation of two swatches when an amused voice commented,

"Shall I take this as a sign for the future? When seeking out one's wife, merely follow the escapades of one's brother?" She turned with a grin to see the Viscount standing in the door way, his hands in his pockets.

"It was entirely chance that I happened to meet Mr Bridgerton, my lord," she replied with dignity. "I was congratulating my cousin on her engagement and he happened to enter with Lord Paisley."

"Ah, I see, so it's all Miss Wethering's fault, got it!" he agreed with a grin. Violet was not oblivious to the fact that Mrs Theakston had disappeared and he had somehow managed to close the door.

"Edmund we have spoken about this! We are currently in my soon-to-be bed chamber."

"I'm sorry to disagree with you, Vi dearest, but this will only be your dressing room."

"I believe that proves my point," she stated, pointing at the large canopy bed.

The Viscount approached her with a grin. "I did not dent the existence of the bed, I simply wanted to make the point that you will not be sleeping here."

"Then where will I be sleeping?" she enquired, taking the bait.

"You will be remaining in my bed, wife," he replied. So close now that she was forced to seat herself upon the window seat.

"Edmund, we made a bargain!" she exclaimed as he leant over her.

"I'm fully aware, my love," he agreed, "And I'm not kissing or embracing you, but no mention was made of touching." He evidenced his point with sitting beside her and stroking her cheek and neck with a gentle touch. He took her hand and kissed her palm softly. "Unless you ask of course," he added with a grin.

"You, sir, pretend to be a man of honour."

"Oh I am, but even men of honour occasionally bend the rules," he murmured with a chuckle. He leant close and kissed her cheek tenderly.

"Oh why does two weeks seem like an age?" she exclaimed, turning to kiss his cheek softly before rising.

"Two ages," he griped as he arose. "Though I am pleased that you did come here. What do you think of Bridgerton House, a fine building isn't it?"

"Stunning," she agreed, "The entrance hall is particularly lovely."

"And relatively abandoned since my poor father died," he added. "Is it still your wish to remain mostly within the country?"

"I think so," she replied, "I wish to raise our children in fresh air and fields. Aubrey is so beautiful, and not too far from Wicklesham."

"Yes, I am curious to see your childhood home. I was thinking that we might stop at Wicklesham for a visit in the autumn, maybe after our return from our summer tour. Then how about we invite everyone to Aubrey for Christmas?"

"Oh Edmund, what a lovely idea!" she exclaimed, unable to resist hugging him. He gladly returned it and took a firm hold of her waist. She became aware of this when she tried to extricate herself. "Edmund, you can let me go!" she prompted. He merely kept his grip, grinning at her. She tried again, "Edmund, I insist that you release me."

"But I didn't start this embrace, my dear," he smoothly replied, "You did."

"And I ask you to release me, my lord."

"If you pay the price of release," he replied, puckering his lips in such a ridiculous way that she started giggling.

"You are thoroughly ridiculous!" she exclaimed before softly kissing his lips. The Viscount released her, chuckling heartily, before offering to give her a more thorough tour of the house. It would certainly have gone on for a long time has she not recollected her lunch engagement half way through the garden.

"Katherine!" she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, I must go, I'm already late to a luncheon engagement with Miss Andrews."

"Calm yourself, my love," the Viscount reassured her, "I'll have Gatton drive us over there as quickly as you like and then you may blame both Bridgerton brothers for having delayed you."

Violet smiled, though she felt rather guilty, "But it's my fault as well, I allowed myself to become distracted."

"At the suggestion of myself and Harold," he finished.

In the end, they were only twenty minutes late for the engagement and Katherine was quick to accept the excuse. Her brother was also present and they were able to enjoy a relaxed luncheon.

"I cannot believe that the Season is nearly over," she stated, "It feels as though we only just arrived in London."

"We must continue our correspondence," Violet requested, "I shall miss seeing you every day."

"Why not pay us a visit in the autumn?" Edmund suggested, "We could have you all to stay for some sport."

His fiancé jumped at the notion, "What a wonderful idea! Oh please say you'll come Katherine, we'd love to have your visit."

"It would be excellent to get some shooting in," Timothy agreed. "When would this visit be supposedly? What month do you return from Europe?"

"By mid-September," the Viscount replied, "We should be back from Italy by then." Violet felt her heart thrill at the notion of a seeing a place she had so long dreamed of.

"Only Italy?" Mr Andrews enquired.

"France in part but mostly Italy," Edmund replied, "Someone is a bit single-minded on seeing Lake Garda."

"Well I hope you will be fully of stories and remembrances when we see you in the autumn," Katherine added warmly.

"Speaking of wedding tours, I must congratulate your cousin on finally settling for old Paisley," Timothy added with a smile, "He's a lucky man."

Violet smiled, "I shall pass on your best wishes Timothy, but I must add, I am glad that Cordelia chose Lord Paisley, he is in my opinion the most worthy of her."

"How so?"

"Because he took the time to get to know her, to court her and make a true match of affection. So many of the suitors during the Season seem to just be doing it for the diversion without any serious intent. The Duke of Andover is the perfect example of this."

Katherine grimaced, "I did hear that Miss Kendall was particularly devastated by that news."

Violet sighed, "Well he did pay her special attentions, didn't he? He sought her out for the first dance at every ball and always flirted with her. I'm just relieved that my cousin was able to see so clearly through his motives."

"I wouldn't worry too much about Miss Kendall," the Viscount reassured, "I think that she will find her match before the Season has ended. She has been the toast of White's on many an evening."

"Or Miss Wethering," Timothy added, "Though I am relieved that your cousin is off the market, I think she chose most wisely."

"As do I," concurred Lord Bridgerton, "Paisley's a very worthy chap. I'm delighted to see her so comfortably settled."

"Your family will be seen to have swept aside all the competition in the marriage mart this year," Timothy stated with a grin, "You will be the envy of many a drawing room."

"And I will be facing the close of my fifth Season without (horror of horrors) having found my match!" Katherine exclaimed, laughing behind her tea cup.

"I think next year will be your Season, Kat," her brother replied, "I just have a feeling."

"And what of you Timothy, when are you to make your match?" Violet teased.

"Well not before your brother apparently. He was telling me that he has been having a most enjoyable correspondence with the youngest Miss Temple."

"Miss Aster?" Violet exclaimed, "They did dance together during the family dinner but I never imagined they'd formed an attachment."

"It's a terrific secret apparently," Timothy confided, "He only told me after his fourth tumbler of port (he'd been carefully counting)."

"Well she is the sweetest of the Temple girls," Edmund agreed.

"I did like her the most," Violet agreed, "Oh wouldn't it be sweet if it did turn into a love match?"

"Violet, dearest, Frederick is seventeen and Miss Aster is barely sixteen! Give them a few years to grow up before you start match making!"

"Well Mama would be delighted by such a match."

"I'm not sure of that," Lord Bridgerton said carefully.

"Do the Temple girls have much of a dowry?" Katherine enquired, "How many daughters are there?"

"Three, and I believe they all have a sizable inheritance."

"I'm not sure how your father would feel about his son and heir marrying a third daughter," the Viscount gently warned.

"Why should be protest?" Violet demanded, "He agreed to our courtship and engagement without any trouble."

"But, my love, I am the heir, I have a good estate and houses …"

"As will Miss Aster I am sure …"

"Be that as it may," Katherine interjected, "It is all conjecture at this point and not worth discussing."

Violet nodded, though her fiancé's comments did slightly concern her. After luncheon finished the day went past in a blur as various chores had to be completed and correspondence penned. She returned home and spent the majority of the afternoon at her writing desk, answering various inquiries from the Dowager Lady Bridgerton, Mrs Mays and in agreeing to a meeting with Lady Clarissa at a confectioner's the next day. She was just penning a reply to a letter from Countess Mary when she was called to dress for dinner and noticed that the afternoon had flown away from her. They were going to the theatre that night and she was greatly anticipating the play, a new production of King Lear which was being put on my the Royal Shakespeare Company.

It was only once they were seated for a small family dinner that she asked her father about the discussion she had had at lunch. Frederick was mercifully absent and it was only herself, her parents and the Viscount present.

She waited for the servants to take away the soup bowls before asking her father.

"Papa, what would you deem an inappropriate wife for Frederick?"

Lord Clympton stared at his daughter, "Inappropriate? What do you mean, Violet?"

"For example, you happily agreed to my marriage with Lord Bridgerton, but if Mr Bridgerton had asked for my hand, would you have accepted it?"

"I imagine so," her father replied, "May I ask from whence these questions are proceeding?"

The Viscount took this as his opportunity to intervene and explained what Timothy Andrews had shared at lunch time. Lord Clympton listened in silence, his face giving nothing away.

"Edmund said that you might not be happy at the prospect of Frederick marrying a third daughter Papa, but I told him that this was entirely false. If Miss Aster has a good dowry and comes from a good family, what qualms could you have?"

Lady Clympton interceded, "Vi, my love, you must remember how young Frederick is. He's barely seventeen. The thought of him marrying so young is inconceivable …"

"But if he loves her ..?"

"Violet, what you have to understand is that the expectations of a son's marriage differ vastly to those of a daughter …"

"Penelope, my dear, allow me to explain," Lord Clympton interrupted his wife. "Violet, your brother is the next Lord Clympton. With that title comes expectations and a huge amount of responsibility. Now whilst I do not doubt that Miss Aster is a very good sort of girl, I very much liked her when we met her, what you have to remember is that Frederick's marriage is very different to yours."

"How?"

"My love, the Viscount has completed his education, is the current Viscount and is a very different sort of man to Frederick. Your brother is an excellent young man, but he has a great deal of growing up still to do. He isn't ready for marriage and whilst I think that the friendship between himself and Miss Aster is an excellent thing, they are both far too young to be thinking of marriage at present."

"But would you esteem the match if they were five years older?"

Her father sighed. "If Frederick really loved her and she was all that she seemed to be, then I would be happy for them to marry, but dearest, you have to understand that when a man chooses to marry it is very different to a woman accepting a marriage proposal."

"But Edmund proposed!"

"Violet, my love, I have been Viscount for three years and forced to take on that responsibility. Frederick is still young and your father is still hearty and in excellent health. The situations are entirely different."

Violet nodded, although she still found the conversation somewhat disappointing. She was quiet for the entirety of the fish course and only volunteered a comment upon the quality of her souffle during the dessert course.

It was only when they were in the carriage on the way to the theatre that she confessed, "I sometimes forget how very lucky I am."

The innocent comment earned her a hand squeeze from her mother and a hurried, hidden kiss on the back of her hand from her fiancé.

It was only when she saw more of the world and reflected upon her own life that Violet was forced to reflect upon how truly fortunate she had always been.

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Author's note:

So Cordelia is engaged! The Duke is fled and the Season is starting to wind up!

I'm not sure how long the wedding will be when I write it, but I plan for there to be some escapades – I am referring primarily to the television show for details, but I will be writing it this week so look for it by the weekend!

Many thanks for every review and favourite,

I really appreciate it,

Breeze.