NO SOONER had Ford cleared the door than Violet’s sisters rushed in to see what he’d brought.
“He made this?” Rose dumped an armful of flowers on the table. “He really and truly made this without you even asking?”
Mum laughed. “How could I ask? I had no idea such a thing even existed.”
“That was nice.” Lily ran a finger down the gleaming copper tube. “Very nice.” She turned to Violet. “You should marry him.”
Violet’s mouth gaped. Though she’d discussed the subject with her sisters, she had trusted them to be more discreet. Especially in front of Mum. What of their pact to maintain a united front against any matchmaking?
“Has he asked you to marry him?” her mother asked with widened eyes.
“No,” she said shortly. That, at least, was true.
Lily bit her lip, looking to Violet in apology. “I was just teasing her, Mum. But it was very nice of him to make this. I cannot wait to see you use it.”
“And she should marry him,” Rose put in.
“Oh, do hush up,” Violet said, dropping onto a chair. She raised her spectacles and rubbed her eyes, then pushed them back into place to focus on her mother. “Why did you invite him to my birthday celebration? It was supposed to be a private party. Family.” The day would be disconcerting enough without celebrating it in public. “You’re not trying to match me up with him, are you?”
“Of course not.” Mum waved a dismissive hand. “He’d just brought me a gift. I felt it necessary to reciprocate in what little way I could.”
That made sense. Maybe. “Then what is your explanation for encouraging me to join him for supper? Alone, Mum? Harry and Hilda don’t count.”
“You’re eighteen years old now, a woman grown. I’m certain I can trust you.”
Violet wasn’t sure she could trust herself. Not around Ford Chase, anyway.
“Besides, it was very much like I said, dear. He’d just done me an enormous favor, and I didn’t feel it would be right to refuse him a boon. It’s naught but a couple of hours in his company—surely you cannot find that too onerous.”
“But you really should marry him,” Rose said again.
Violet rounded on her. “Why, so you can start your own husband hunt?”
“No.” Rose actually looked hurt, which made Violet feel badly for lashing out. “You just seem perfect together. Mum, don’t you agree?”
Their mother’s fingers played over the flowers scattered on the table, picking out the white jasmines. “I promised you girls I would allow you to find your own husbands.”
“That doesn’t mean we don’t want your opinion,” Lily said.
“Yes, Mum,” Rose agreed. “What’s your opinion?”
Violet didn’t want to hear anyone else’s opinion. If she thought she could get away with it, she’d have slunk from the room.
Mum lifted the lid off the new still and began plucking jasmine petals, tossing them in as she talked. “I think he is brilliant.”
Rose began collecting carnations, doubtless planning another floral arrangement. “Which makes him perfect for our Violet, doesn’t it?”
“I didn’t say that, Rose.”
“But you thought it.”
Violet gritted her teeth. “Rose, would you hush up?”
“Girls. Stop bickering. It’s up to Violet to choose her own husband. I said from the first I thought Lord Lakefield was too much of an intellectual, and I haven’t changed my opinion.”
“But he’s so nice,” Lily said.
Violet’s fingers clenched on the chair’s arms. “You think so? Then would you marry him?”
“I’m not looking for a gentleman like him,” Lily protested. “I’m looking for a gentleman who shares my love for animals.”
“You’re too young to be looking at all,” Mum said.
Rose rubbed a pink bloom across her lips. “I like looking.”
Violet snorted. ”We all know that by now.”
“Viscount Lakefield is nice to look at.”
“Despite his horrifying lankiness?” Violet said dryly.
Rose tossed her gleaming chestnut ringlets. “Indeed. But I want a gentleman who appreciates my femininity. Lord Lakefield looks right through me.”
“Not too difficult, since you’re so shallow.”
“Violet!” Her eyes wide, Mum stopped plucking.
“I’m sorry,” Violet muttered. She hadn’t meant to be mean; she was just tired of being pestered. “It’s only that Rose is so intelligent, yet she tries so hard to hide it.”
Rose turned to pull a vase from the shelf. “I’ve told you, men aren’t interested in intelligence.”
“Lord Lakefield is,” Lily said.
“And that,” Rose declared, plopping the carnations into the vase, “is why he’s so perfect for Violet.”
Violet wanted to press her hands over her ears. Instead she massaged her temples. How long will you abuse my patience? she paraphrased Cicero in her head, but the familiar quotation did nothing to help her regain her own.
This discussion was going nowhere at all, and if she heard one more time that she should marry Ford—from her mother, her sisters, anybody—she was certain she would scream.
She rose and headed for the door. “I need to go get ready.”
Lily came to block her way, her blue eyes concerned. “Don’t you want to see the distillery work?”
“Perhaps tomorrow,” she said, skirting around her sister. “Today I have no time.”
Thanks to Mum’s meddling, she had a supper date in less than three hours.