Chapter 21

Violet gingerly plucked the petals of a rose she had picked from the gardens. The pure white petals made her sad in a way that she couldn't quite decipher. Why couldn't life be as simple as the petals of a rose? In a perfect world, she would be able to embrace the feelings she was more than certain were taking hold of her heart.

Why did he have to go and make a toast like that?

His words had touched her heart in such a way that there was no denying how she felt. Whether her feelings were love or not, she didn't want to take the risk. Things needed to end before either of them got their heart broken.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Augusta whispered beside her as they strolled behind the men.

Lord Oakhampton, Stuart, and Greyson were discussing some of the finer points of politics, seemingly oblivious to them. It was only Greyson who kept looking over his shoulder at Violet.

"They are worth a great deal more than that, I'll have you know. But since you asked, I was wondering about the toast that Greyson made at lunch." Violet let out a heavy sigh and allowed a few more petals to fall to the ground before stepping over them.

"Is that what's bothering you? I thought perhaps you were concerned that Greyson would throw you over his shoulder and whisk you away to a remote land. You did leave a path of petals starting from the front of the manor." Augusta looked back at the trail of petals behind them.

Violet shook her head. "I think we've both made a mistake with this courtship. It shouldn't have started, to begin with."

Augusta furrowed her brow as she looped her arm through Violet's and drew her a little closer to her side. "I don't understand why you would say that, when the two of you seem smitten with one another. And, by the looks of things, everyone is more than supportive of the match. What could possibly be giving you doubts?"

The truth was on the tip of Violet's tongue as she glanced at her friend. She wanted to tell her all about the fake courtship and how they had both managed to fool everyone—including her parents and Christina. Yet, fear of Augusta's reaction held her back. The fewer people who knew about the ruse, the fewer chances there were of the truth coming out and hurting everyone around them.

"I'm not sure about his feelings," Violet said instead.

"That's all right." Augusta's shoulders relaxed as she let out a breath. "All couples, especially the ones who have been matched, experience some form of doubt sooner or later. Look at me and Jason, for instance. Neither of us wanted a marriage, but we quickly found that we were both denying our feelings for one another. And let me tell you, denial only proved to slow things down." She giggled and shook her head.

Hearing his wife's laughter, Jason turned around and gave her such an adoring look that Violet wished for a second that she could receive that kind of affection.

Are we fooling ourselves?

She looked at the back of Greyson's head. If it were true that everyone else experienced the same kind of angst and denial that she was going through, was it not better to just give in to the affection she harbored for him and lead a different life than the one she had planned?

No.

The stubborn voice at the back of her head that had gotten her through the worst of her heartache reminded her of the dangers that came with trusting someone with her heart.

Augusta elbowed her gently in the ribs, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Have you told him how you feel? Or asked him how he feels?"

"We both know how the other feels," Violet responded through another sharp breath.

The reality of her situation was that both she and Greyson had agreed to the arrangement. What she hadn't bargained for was the growing fondness she felt toward him.

"Then I don't understand what the problem is. The Webster spell should have worked on you by now. Then again, it can take a little longer to work if both of you are stubborn. Lord knows that it took a little extra help to shove Jason in the right direction." Augusta frowned and shook her head.

"Webster spell?" Violet cocked her head and looked at her friend as if she had lost her mind.

Augusta suppressed a giggle. "I have made the acquaintance of many other women who used the services of Marie Webster. It would seem as if she knows the recipe to happiness. We all married reluctantly, but none of us would have it any other way now. It is almost as if she casts a spell on those she deems a perfect match." She lifted her chin proudly.

"How on earth do you know others who have used the services of Miss Webster?" Violet found the entire conversation odd at best.

"It's rather a long story, but Jason's friend used her services, and then he told Jason about it, and before that, the friend of Anthony Atwood's wife told her about it, and it goes on like that for at least four other couples who have now become friends because of their successful matches. But that's not important. My point is that many other couples have been through this. You should come for tea sometime when we all meet," Augusta replied cheerfully.

"I won't lie, Augusta, it almost sounds as if you've joined a cult." Violet gave her a pointed look that implied she needed to have her mind read or at least visit a physician who could suggest some form of rest by the sea until she was feeling well again.

"It might seem that way, but it's all innocent fun," Augusta reassured her as they crossed a small wooden bridge that had been built over a stream leading to the apple orchard on the estate.

Violet thought back to that argument before luncheon as she began to wonder about Marie and how it was possible that she'd managed to match so many couples when the Duke of Wiltshire hadn't been pleased with her services at all. It had looked to Violet as if the two were trying their best not to kiss one another.

"Do you think Miss Webster has ever been in love?"

"That's a good question. I don't know her well enough to make a judgment, but it did seem as if there was quite a lot of tension between her and the Duke at the table. In fact, they reminded me of the passion that Jason and I tried so hard to conceal at the start."

"It just seems so strange to me that a woman who can cast ‘spells' on others isn't able to find a match of her own. And I must admit that I don't think she is always right." Violet's eyes flicked to the back of Greyson's head and his thick, messy hair.

If Marie did have some kind of gift, then she had gotten it wrong with her and Greyson.

Augusta laughed this time. "I think what you and Greyson need is more time alone. Besides, I think you should come along sometime. You would enjoy the group. We even complain about our husbands when they keep acting up." She whispered the last part conspiratorially.

Jason turned around and raised an eyebrow at her. "What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing." Augusta quickly let go of Violet's arm and walked to his side.

Lord Oakhampton gave his wife a questioning look and narrowed his eyes, but his expression quickly softened again.

"Don't be so untrusting, I was simply suggesting that Lord Arlington show us the rest of the estate. I have seen the apple orchard already, and I know that Violet has not. Perhaps Lord Montclair could show it to her in our absence?"

Violet wished a giant hole would open and swallow her up.

Why is she being so obvious?

Stuart gave Augusta a funny look but quickly realized what she was trying to do.

"Oh, yes." He snapped his fingers as if he'd just recalled something important. "I did say that I would do that." He nodded earnestly and walked up to Jason's side, creating a very noticeable distance between them and Violet and Greyson.

Violet was about to open her mouth and point out that it was improper, but Augusta cut her off. "I don't think any of us need to concern ourselves with propriety. We won't tell anyone if you don't." She turned to the men beside her.

"Not a soul," Jason and Stuart uttered in unison.

Violet's pulse began to race at the prospect of being alone with Greyson again. Surely nothing could happen in an orchard. There were no beds or even a chaise lounge to make things inappropriate.

"I'm sure we will be fine." Greyson stepped forward and placed his hand on her elbow, steering her in the direction of the trees while the others started in the opposite direction.

"Don't worry, I just want to talk," he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

Why did his presence always have such a visceral effect on her?

She took a deep breath and allowed herself to be led deeper into a grove of trees. The sweet scent of fresh fruit filled her lungs as she breathed in the crisp air.

There was something magical and peaceful about the atmosphere under the trees, yet Violet couldn't help but think of how she had to tell him that things needed to come to an end.

"I'm sorry if things at lunch made you uncomfortable. I wish they wouldn't harass us so about marriage." He smiled at her.

Violet was acutely aware of his hand on her elbow. The warmth of his skin spread up her arm and tugged on the strings of her heart. She began to lose her nerve the further they walked into the orchard. She needed to tell him that their ruse needed to end before they got more attached than they already were.

"There was something I wanted to…" they both spoke at the same time.

"My apologies, you go first." Greyson guided her over to a large tree that seemed to stand in the middle of the orchard, and then turned to face her.

Looking into his eyes, Violet felt her resolve falter.

How can I tell him that I think we should end things now?

"You go first, I can wait." She tried to slow her heartbeat as she waited to hear what he had to say.

"I wanted a moment alone with you to give you this." He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out something that he quickly enclosed in his fist. "I know you were concerned about what happened the other night, so I wanted to apologize again and reassure you that anything that happens between us will remain a secret." He took her hand in his and held his fist over her palm.

"Greyson, you really don't need to apologize again, I…" Her breath caught in her throat as he opened his fist and something that felt like a chain dropped into her hand.

"Please, allow me to explain first before you protest. I must apologize again. I let my mother plan the luncheon so that we could spend more time together and you would see me in a different light. I may have lived the life of a rake before, but I promise on my honor that I haven't so much as looked at another woman since you've come along." He held her hand steady in his, not allowing her to move.

He wants me to see him in a different light?

She found herself at a loss for words. What did it matter how she saw him, when their courtship was meant to come to an end?

Greyson held her gaze and searched her eyes before dropping his hand to his side. "I saw this in a window and instantly thought of you. It's just as perfect and beautiful as you are," he whispered.

"Greyson, this is too much…" She gasped and placed her hand on her throat in shock.

The piece of jewelry in the palm of her hand was breathtakingly stunning. A fine gold chain with a teardrop emerald in the center and fine diamonds around the edges.

Chucking deeply, Greyson took the necklace from her hand and gently turned her around. "I don't think it's too much. In fact, I think it's exactly what is needed to keep everyone at bay for a little while. You can proudly show off the necklace I gave you and tell them that it was a romantic gesture."

He lifted the necklace over her head and placed it around her neck, gently brushing her skin with the tips of his fingers.

Violet felt her heart clenching with confusion. Did he really mean what he said, or was this still a part of their ruse?

Her eyes filled with tears as the dull pain in her chest increased. She didn't want to feel the things she was feeling for him—the dull hope that began to rise every time he did something so sweet and unexpected.

He picked all the flowers himself. And now he had gone and gifted her the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen in her life. Things needed to come to an end before her heart was broken again.

"Why are you crying?" Greyson turned her around and used the back of his finger to wipe a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"I… I just wasn't expecting you to do this." Her tears began to fall freely now.

"Please don't cry." He wiped away her tears and drew her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. "I'm not the man who broke your heart. You can trust me."

His hot breath tickled her neck as he pressed his lips to her skin.

I need you to stop because I think I'm falling in love with you.