Violet (Flower Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

you?’’
    ‘‘All right.’’ She turned to the woman. ‘‘What’s that?’’
    ‘‘Don’t point, baby,’’ Ford said. His twin sister might routinely accuse him of being oblivious, but he did know his manners.
    Lady Trentingham knelt by Jewel’s side. ‘‘ ’Tis a bottle of perfume. I brought it for the lady of the house. And I suppose’’—she looked to Ford for confirmation—‘‘that’s you?’’
    He nodded his agreement as Jewel squealed. ‘‘For me?’’
    ‘‘For you, young lady. Would you like to smell it?’’
    ‘‘Oh, yes,’’ his niece breathed. She waited, dancing from foot to foot while the woman removed the stopper and handed her the bottle.
    Jewel waved it under her nose. ‘‘ ’Tis lovely, my lady!’’ Tipping the bottle, she wet her fingers and dabbed the potion on her neck, wetting some of the overgrown greenery in the process.

    ‘‘You must only use a little,’’ Lady Trentingham warned her, ‘‘or you’ll smell like a field of flowers.’’
    ‘‘I like flowers.’’
    ‘‘Then you must come and visit Trentingham Manor.’’ She rose to her feet, smiling at Ford. ‘‘My husband likes to garden.’’
    ‘‘I’ve heard that of the earl.’’ Everyone had heard that of the earl. And standing in his own shambles of a garden, knowing what Lady Trentingham and her husband must think every time they saw it, made Ford want to squirm.
    ‘‘Who is caring for Lady Jewel?’’ the countess asked.
    ‘‘I am, now. Her nursemaid fell ill, so I sent her home.’’
    ‘‘Alone?’’
    ‘‘No, with my coachman and two outriders.’’
    Amusement flickered on her face. ‘‘I meant, are you caring for Lady Jewel on your own?’’
    ‘‘Oh.’’ Feeling thickheaded, he cleared his throat.
    ‘‘I suppose I am.’’
    ‘‘And how are you getting along?’’
    His neighbor had a straightforward way about her that Ford found refreshing. Lord knew Tabitha hadn’t been so.
    ‘‘Well, I’ve had Jewel for . . .’’ He twisted around to see the sundial. ‘‘. . . ’tis going on eighteen hours.
    And no disaster has befallen her yet, so although I haven’t managed to find time for anything else, I reckon I’m doing all right.’’
    Lady Trentingham’s laughter tinkled through the riotous vegetation. Her gaze turned contemplative. ‘‘I have a son.’’
    ‘‘Yes?’’ he prompted, feeling more thickheaded still.
    ‘‘Rowan. He’s seven years of age. A bit older than Lady Jewel, but his favorite playmate is away from home for the month—perhaps I will bring him over to play.’’

    ‘‘A boy ?’’ Jewel interjected.
    ‘‘A kind one,’’ the woman assured her. ‘‘He doesn’t have maggots.’’
    Jewel looked dubious. But she also looked lonely.
    And as far as Ford was concerned, Lady Trentingham could be his savior. An angel sent from heaven. A fairy come to wave her wand and sprinkle magic dust.
    Her miraculous solution to his problem was almost enough to make him believe in such things.
    ‘‘I shall bring Rowan tomorrow,’’ she decided. ‘‘He has lessons in the morning, but perhaps after dinner.’’
    ‘‘He is welcome for dinner,’’ Ford offered. Breakfast and supper, too. Anything to keep his niece occupied so he could work on his watch. He was sure his new design had promise, if only he could find time to test his ideas.
    He must have looked as desperate as he felt, because his neighbor released a tiny, unladylike snort.
    ‘‘After dinner,’’ she confirmed, hiding a smile as she pushed through the bushes and made her way back to her carriage.
    ‘‘How did it go, milady?’’ Anne asked Chrystabel as she climbed inside.
    ‘‘Fine,’’ she assured her maid. Perfect , she added silently.
    Now she just had to make plans to keep both Rose and Lily busy tomorrow. As well as herself. Violet—
    her wonderful, willful, bookish daughter Violet—
    would be the one to take Rowan to visit Lady Jewel.
    Picking