Chapter 10

"Now I think you two very much suit one another."

William could not hide his delight as he got to tease Violet, and Charles as well. Not that Mr. Cook seemed to pick up on any of his insults.

They seemed to fly over his head, because he was too enthralled with staring at the beautiful woman who would never normally look his way.

"I think you have a lot in common. Do you read a lot, Mr. Cook?"

Charles shook his head. "I do not have time for fanciful hobbies such as reading. My lifestyle is far too busy for that. As a traveling merchant I am always on the road, making money and living the dream."

William stifled a laugh. What on earth was he going to have to talk about with Violet if he did not read? It was unlikely that he had a real interest in art or music either.

Violet was a creative spirit, he had seen that within her in the short time that they had been living in the same home. Without someone to talk to about her passions, she was going to struggle.

But then she had hinted to William that she simply wanted to marry anyone. That she just wanted a chance to get out of the mess that her brother had left her in however she could.

"I think it is wonderful that you are such a hard worker," Paul snapped, shooting William a pointed look. "I am sure Violet is impressed with you as well. It is great to hear that you dedicate so much of your life to making money and contacting clients. Perhaps being married to my sister will give you access to a much larger clientele."

William could not help but notice the way that Violet"s eyes fell to the floor the moment Paul said this.

She clearly did not like the way that Paul"s words made her feel. He was speaking about her as if she was a commodity, just there to be bought and sold.

It did not help that Charles was staring at her in the same manner. Like she was a slab of beef on his plate for him to devour.

"So, how did you arrange this?" William asked Paul. "This is quite the feat. I am impressed that you managed to arrange a marriage so quickly."

Paul tutted and waved his hand dismissively. "That is not relevant. What we should be focusing on is the wedding moving forwards."

But William was not about to back down so easily. "I am sure Violet would like to know how this has all been sorted out."

He looked to Violet, trying to get her to agree with him, but she looked checked out. Like she could hardly stomach the strange events that were unfolding in front of her.

Was she expecting Paul to find a much more suitable match for her? If so, then she had put far too much faith in him.

"That is a private family matter," Paul eventually replied through gritted teeth. "And much as you like to act as if you are one of the family, that is not the case."

Out the corner of his eye, William spotted Violet finally looking at him. He turned to catch her gaze, to find her glaring at him. But that only made him smirk knowingly back.

Surely, even if she was upset about this, Violet had to see how ridiculous this situation was. It was funny to even picture her married to this strange, stout man. They did not even look like a couple, it was madness.

Violet was a graceful lady who would be better off married to a man with a title. Someone who could actually provide her with a good life.

"So, Mr. Cook," he continued, now feeling a little more like he had Violet on his side. "Tell me about where you live."

"Oh, well it is not a grand mansion, quite like this one…"

"I imagine not."

Thankfully, he spotted Violet"s lips curling up in to almost a smile.

If she could see the funny side of this, then surely, she would feel a lot better.

"But I do have a large house," he continued. "My father"s house. My father was a very wealthy merchant, and I have inherited his business. Something that I have gone on to make more of a success of."

That stripped the air from William"s lungs.

He could laugh at this man all he wanted, but it seemed like he did have something to offer, even if it was not a title and land.

And maybe this was the one man who could offer her salvation in a terrible situation. She had said that she needed a husband, without specifying who or what she really needed from the marriage.

Perhaps this was the way Violet"s life would go.

Paul certainly looked very happy with himself, which left William certain that he was going to push for this marriage to happen, no matter what. Especially if he had curated some deal with the merchant.

"I will show you my home one day, Miss Lambourne," Charles said with a grin. "But I can assure you, you will be very happy. I can just see it now, you barefoot in the kitchen as our children run around your feet."

Violet could not disguise the shudder from tearing down her spine.

The idea of bearing children for this man was clearly too much for her to handle, and William had to admit that it left him feeling a little cold as well.

She deserved so much better than that.

"Will she be looking after those children while you work, or spending time in the gambling den?" William asked, icier than he intended. "Because I am sure that is where you met Lord Eagleton."

Charles laughed, amused by this, but Paul was much less happy. He glared at William, burning hot anger dancing in his eyes.

Of course he was annoyed. It was unlikely that a man like Paul wanted to be called out for his behavior.

"A gentleman does not reveal his secrets," Charles chuckled. "It does not matter where we met, only that everything has truly worked out for the best. For all of us."

William did not miss the wink he shot to Paul.

"So, now that we have formally met, perhaps it would be best for us to arrange another meeting," Charles"s eyes lingered on Violet for a beat too long, which did not go amiss. "I am sure me and my bride to be would like to have a chance to get to know one another on a deeper level before we get married."

"Great idea!" Paul jumped in before anyone could say anything. "I am sure me and you can work out a good time, Charles. One that suits us both."

William caught Violet desperately trying to catch her brother"s attention. She was being subtle, of course, but it was unlikely that Paul had missed it.

But he was going out of his way to ignore her.

He did not want to hear what she had to say, which twisted annoyance up in William.

He was supposed to be learning his lesson here, so that he would not make the same mistakes again. William was only here to teach him that this was not the right way to behave.

Yet the lesson seemed to be going over Paul"s head.

It was as if he refused to learn more.

Why would he not want to be a better person?

William"s fists curled up by his side in irritation.

How was he going to force Paul to be a better, more well-rounded person when the man had not yet opened up his eyes to his mistakes? What was the point of all this if it did no good?

"I shall walk you to the door, Mr. Cook, and we can discuss potential meetings as we go."

William was suspicious of this.

It seemed like Paul did not want to give anyone a moment to question Mr. Cook further.

Something was certainly afoot here.

But Violet was already graciously curtsying and saying her farewells to this man, likely grateful to see the back of him.

There was no doubt that she was going to try and talk Paul out of this arrangement, but William was not convinced that she would be successful. If her brother had already set his mind to this, and there was a plan of some kind in place, then she was in trouble.

"Thank you for coming to visit, Mr. Cook," she said in a voice so polite it was almost funny. Not that Charles spotted the joke, of course. "It has been a pleasure to meet you. I am sure we will see one another soon."

He tried to take her hand, to kiss it once more, but this time she subtly slipped away before his rubbery lips could connect with her silky soft skin.

It was hard for William not to smirk.

"It has been a pleasure, Miss Lambourne. And I look forward to when we see one another again. I am sure we still have a lot to learn about one another."

What did Mr. Cook mean by that?

Why did it sound so sleazy as a statement?

William could not disguise the iciness that he was now feeling as Mr. Cook turned to say farewell to him also.

He did not offer too much politeness, simply a nod of acknowledgement.

Surely, Paul was not so blind that he did not see the disaster that was afoot? That meeting was abysmal. Violet was clearly not happy with the arrangement, and she was surely going to say as much…

But would Paul listen?

It was unlikely.

"Well, that was certainly… interesting."

William tried to remain positive and teasing in the hope that Violet would join in with him. If they laughed at Mr. Cook and the situation then it might not seem quite so overwhelming….

But she did not even raise her head to meet his eyes.

The sadness was crushing her.

"I am sure your brother will understand if this is not the marriage you want…"

Violet clucked her tongue and shook her head. "My brother is not one to listen. I can try, but who knows if he will hear me."

She visibly cringed at the sound of her brother chuckling loudly with this man. It felt crass and unpleasant. William could not help but be a little sympathetic for her.

He was not sure what he thought would happen when he moved into Eagleton Manor. He did not know who Violet would end up marrying, if anyone at all, but this…

This did not feel right.

"I will talk to him though," Violet declared with a determined nod. It seemed like she was talking more to herself than him, so William remained silent. "I will make sure Paul understands my feelings on this. I do not see why I have to marry the first man that he brings through that door. Although if that is the caliber of man he is finding, I do not hold out much hope."

The strength slipped away from her for just a moment, before she seemed to find it again.

Thank goodness.

She looked much better with that glint in her eyes.

"Maybe this is something that we can work out together. I know that time is running out, but there has to be someone out there who is suitable for me. Someone who is looking for a bride."

In that moment, William could not help but think that whoever ended up with Violet"s hand in marriage would be a very lucky gentleman indeed.