Chapter Eight

1911

Laurie watched Viola and Sam disappear into the whirling couples on the dance floor. Soon, they stood out, because they were dancing completely different steps to the other waltzers — standing on one foot, with the other being dragged into position or simply suspended in the air for a beat or two. The faster the music, the more they hesitated.

It was odd, yet strangely entrancing.

Laurie did enjoy dancing in his own, quiet way. But he followed the crowd and preferred not to stand out, so he wouldn’t even dream of making a dance up as this pair seemed to do.

But he simply could not stop looking at them — well, looking at Viola, which appalled him. She held her head elegantly, occasionally looking up at her brother and laughing. Her face was rounder and her cheeks fuller than Pearl’s as she smiled up at him — the fact that she was a few years younger than her sister was also evident by her lack of “London polish”, as Laurie privately called it.

A strange thought entered his mind at that point — he didn’t want her to be subsumed into this world of Society the way Pearl had been. And his next thought was: why should he even care that much about Viola’s subsummation? It was her choice, her life — but she reminded him of Elsie in some ways. Pearl was extremely happy with Ernie and the life she’d married into, but Viola just seemed different, somehow. Whereas Elsie used her art to express her free spirit, it was clear to him tonight that Viola did the same with dance.

Elsie had told Laurie about the turkey trot, the bunny hug and the grizzly bear dance, which Sam and Viola had performed at Pearl’s. And indeed, on one of Elsie’s visits to Pencradoc with Marigold, she had shown Marigold the steps and they’d all had fun taking the little girl on as their partner and dancing with her. Laurie had been quite possibly the most out of step of the lot of them, and had only redeemed himself in Marigold’s eyes by performing a perfect galop dance with Medora, as the little girl had laughed and clapped along in time with the music.

So to see Viola so free and uninhibited on the dance floor tonight was startling.

He realised the music was coming to an end and turned away. No need for her to see he was watching her out there — no need at all. But even as he turned away, his mind’s eye was filled with images of Viola Arthur laughing and dancing and smiling, and a very small part of him wished she was doing that with him, and not her brother.

* * *

Viola laughed as the dance ended and she curtsied at Sam. He bowed theatrically back at her and they were just about to check what the next dance was to see if they could adapt that one to their own ends as well, when Viola became aware of a young man approaching her.

‘I say,’ whispered Sam in a made-up English accent. ‘I think you have an admirer.’

Viola’s stomach turned over. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she was husband-hunting. But she was too slow to say anything and cursed herself, because instead of asking Sam to stay with her, or turning around and heading purposefully back to Elsie and Louis, she looked across at Laurie, and in that split second two things happened — the young man who was approaching her tapped her on the shoulder and bowed, and she saw that Laurie had already turned and walked away.

She felt ridiculously cross and also terribly disappointed. But she couldn’t dwell on why she felt like that; she could only switch on a fake smile and turn her attention to the young man.

‘I couldn’t help but notice your dancing,’ he said. ‘May I ask where you learned that? Oh—’ he turned his attention to Sam — ‘and also, my deepest apologies to your partner in advance for my intention to steal you away from him.’

‘She’s my sister,’ said Sam. ‘You’re very welcome to steal her. Adieu , sister, adieu .’

He saluted Viola and walked away, heading back to Elsie and Louis — and Laurie.

Dammit!

Oh, well. She had to ride this one out herself.

‘He’s correct,’ said Viola with a forced laugh. ‘That’s my brother, all right.’

‘Splendid. Then you won’t mind spending some time with me.’ The man smiled. His top lip was rather shiny and damp, fleshy-looking in a not particularly pleasant way, especially when he licked it. Ugh . ‘I’m Richard Bedford. One of the Sussex Bedfords?’ He said it as if she should know who the hell he was, or who his family were. He didn’t wait for an answer, but took her arm and manoeuvred her around the edge of the dance floor towards the refreshments. ‘I can’t help but notice you’re American.’

‘Yes. I am.’

‘And . . .’ He looked at her curiously. ‘Are you going to avail me of your name?’

‘Viola—’ she started to say, but wasn’t able to finish the sentence before he was off again.

‘Lady Pearl Elton is American. Married into the Bodmin Eltons. I believe she has done wonders for Elton Lacy. Well, her fortune has.’ He laughed, as if that was the most amusing thing in the world and Viola was treated to moist breath that smelled of alcohol washing over her face. She felt her stomach turn a little. ‘Lady Elton is one of the New York Arthurs — not sure if you’re familiar with them?’ He didn’t wait for answer but blithely continued. ‘I hear her father works on Wall Street, so they’re not short of a bob or two.’ Jeepers! How did he know that? ‘It really was the talk of Society when the Eltons married.’ Viola and Sam had not been at the wedding — Viola had been deemed “too young” to travel halfway across the world, and Sam had been travelling, so she was completely unaware of any of this. ‘Why,’ Richard continued, smirking, ‘a couple of us put bets on how much she’d brought as a dowry!’

Viola went hot and cold all over. She wasn’t going to tell Pearl that one, although Pearl probably knew herself what the gossips were saying. How awful. How utterly awful!

‘The rumour is . . .’ Does this man ever stop talking? ‘That Lady Elsie Pencradoc attended the wedding — but it seems that woman is allergic to the state of matrimony herself!’

‘We—’

‘I mean, their situation is highly unusual,’ he said before Viola could say she’d come with Elsie. ‘Living as they do, and all that.’

‘Living as what?’ Viola was confused. Did he mean the fact that Elsie and Louis lived in London, away from Pencradoc itself? It didn’t seem that unusual . . .

‘Living together outside of wedlock, of course!’ Richard leaned in, all faux shock, and laughed loudly, right in her face; Viola could smell even more alcohol on his breath. ‘And truth be told, I’m damn surprised they’ve upheld their station in Society for so long, but I suppose she may have used certain charms to stay where she is. She’s here tonight, of course, brazen as anything.’

‘Pardon?’ Viola was thoroughly confused now, only half-listening and thoroughly hung up on his earlier comment about wedlock. Elsie and Louis not being married? The thought hadn’t even entered her mind.

‘Shocking, isn’t it? I mean, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in that family. Rumour also has it that half her siblings are—’

But whatever he was going to say about Elsie’s siblings was never to be uttered at that point.

Because Laurie suddenly appeared out of the shadows, looking for all the world like an avenging vampire, and planted himself in front of Viola’s companion.

‘Is this gentleman bothering you?’ Laurie asked. His voice was chilling. ‘Because he’s bothering me.’

‘Excuse me?’ Richard took a moment to focus on Laurie. ‘I’m having a conversation. You . . .’

Laurie took one more step and the flickering candlelight from the table, from the wall sconces and from the chandeliers seemed to pool around him, illuminating him.

His mouth was compressed in a tight, angry line, his brows were drawn together, a scowl darkened his face. And he looked glorious!

Viola blinked — she could do nothing but stare at him. Jeepers, her knees were practically jelly and that had nothing to do with her dancing . . .

‘No. I shall not “excuse you”,’ Laurie said coldly. ‘You have insulted my sister, you have insulted me, you have insulted my family. You are an arrogant bigot and this young lady is so far above you in both manners and decorum that she should no longer be subjected to your drivel.’ He paused and looked Richard up and down in disgust. ‘You are actually an embarrassment to Society yourself. Do you know that?’

‘I—’

‘ Do you?’ Laurie’s voice thundered, not letting Richard follow through. ‘No. I bet you do not.’ He shook his head. Then, in one smooth movement, he took Viola’s hand and drew her close to him.

Her legs really were going to collapse beneath her; she had to hang on to Laurie’s hand awfully tightly and found herself taking a couple of steps closer to him, so it felt like she and him were definitely on the side of the angels together. Well, the fallen angels, she amended, chancing a quick glance at the tall, dark, angry man next to her.

My word. Her arm was tingling all the way from her fingertips to her shoulder, and it was all because he was holding her hand . . . like that. Like he really cared about her and cared about removing her from such an obnoxious presence as Richard Bedford.

Her rational side told her it was probably because Laurie was so angry at what he’d overheard about Elsie and his family, but for that brief moment, she’d felt a total connection to the man beside her and it made her feel faint.

My word .

‘I’m now going to walk away from you,’ Laurie told Richard. ‘And I’m taking this young lady with me. I feel it’s safest to put a considerable distance between you and me. Good evening, Sir. ’ The last word dripped with sarcasm and Viola was rather impressed, despite the situation.

‘Now wait just one moment!’ Richard began to bluster, suddenly finding his voice. ‘Violet may not want to go with you. She would much rather stay with me, I’m sure. Violet?’ He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers, beckoning her to him. Viola found that gesture rather sickening to be honest. And actually . . .

‘Who’s Violet ?’ she asked. ‘My name is Viola. Viola Arthur. One of the New York Arthurs. And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to send your regards to my sister.’

She dropped a brief curtsey and turned to Laurie, not waiting to see Richard’s reaction. She curtsied to Laurie as well. He bowed to her and the pair of them walked out of the ballroom, her heart thumping so very loudly. They continued until they came to the balcony. Then Laurie threw the door open and strode out onto the balcony . . .

Where he very quickly let go of her hand, took three steps backwards and folded his hands behind his back.