VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 26

"Your father was a lovely man and I am certain he would have loved you," Lady D stopped as she put several spoons of white powder into the water, "If he were not dead."

Violet's chest hurt."H-how did he die, m-mother?"

Twirling the spoon in the pail, Lady D watched the whirlpool for a moment before raising eyes burning with hatred, "He was killed by a man named Ismail. But he will not get away with it and neither will you, you filthy little spy! Did you think you could get away with spying on ME?"

A hot wave of fear propelled Violet out of her chair, but Lady D grabbed her by her hair and pushed her face into the murky water. It was burning! The water was burning her eyes! Violet kicked out, Bess falling to the ground as she tried desperately to claw at her mother's hands.

"You worthless piece of filth!" Lady D pushed at the little head beneath her fingers, "You spawn of the devil! You have Ismail to thank for this! Ismail to thank for this! Ismail to thank for this!"

Noooo!

Heart pounding, Violet sat upright in bed and lifted a hand to the ring hanging around her neck. The cool metal helped restore calm but it wasn't until several minutes later that the scents about her made her realise where she was.

Patrick. Just thinking about him calmed her nerves. She wished he was there to hold her with his strong arms and make everything okay.

God, when had she started thinking such things? She had to remember why she was here. Patrick was the best friend of her father's murderer...

She turned towards the window, allowing the sunshine to wash her face as she remembered Patrick leaving the bed earlier that morning. He had asked if she would dine with him in the evening. He said he would read to her again. 

Patrick had introduced her to a world she had never imagined existed. Where a need for revenge had pushed her to survive, the feelings he evoked made her grateful to be alive. It made her wish things could be different...

Except they couldn't. This was all temporary. Patrick was interested in her now, but he wouldn't remain that way. Violet was a mistress, not a wife. When he grew tired of her Patrick, his warmth, his protection would all disappear. Her life had not changed, this was simply an intermission. A small present from a world that was otherwise cruel . 

"Miss?"

Violet tried not to cringe at the censure in the voice that came from behind the closed door. What did the housekeeper want with her now?

"Yes?" she called out after clearing her throat.

"Princess Belanov and her brother are waiting for you downstairs, Miss."

Angelica and Mikhail? Damn! What were they going to say to her being here? How had they even found out? 

Violet slipped out of bed and breathed in the scents of the room, zeroing in on her clothes. "Alright! Thank you for notifying me, Mrs. Devon. And, do you happen to know where Patrick is?"

"My Lord," the housekeeper stressed the title while Violet struggled into her skirt, "left several hours ago and did not say when he would be back."

Without giving Violet time to formulate a response, the housekeeper's footsteps began to recede back down the hallway. Apparently Violet was only worth that much of the woman's time.

Sighing she finished buttoning up her blouse and ran her hands down her hair giving thanks to the thick strands that tended to fall into place with little effort.

Within a few moments she had made her way down the stairs and to the living room door. She could smell the rose water that clung to Angelica's dress and the port and tobacco smell Mikhail carried after having been at his club.

Why was she embarrassed? They would think it was natural that she had taken such an opportunity, wouldn't they? Maybe that was it. Because in truth she didn't want them to think it was okay since Violet would never have agreed to being Patrick's mistress if it wasn't for the need to get close to Ismail. 

Ah whatever! She just had to get this over with. Pushing the door open she walked into the room.

"Violet!" Angelica said her name, her skirts rustling as she came closer. "When Mrs. Devon said you were here, I thought she must have been mistaken! What are you doing here?"

An awkward silence settled over the room while Violet searched around for some kind of response. Chin up she thought silently, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Polite society's rules don't apply to gypsies.

"I stayed here." Her honesty was met with yet another moment of silence and then Mikhail spoke.

"If he hurts you, I'll kill him."

"Only if I do not kill him first, brother dear and either way, Patrick wouldn't dare... or will not dare after I have a talk with him!" Angelica sounded angry and Violet couldn't help feeling the warmth of their concern.

"I can take care of myself," she assured them.

"Oh we know that," Angelica assured her as she took Violet's hand. "We'll just make sure Patrick knows not to create a situation where you have to take care of yourself."

"It's a rare thing, but Angelica is making perfect sense," Mikhail joined in.  

Violet couldn't help laughing.

"Very funny Mikhail," Angelica snorted, "Anyway, we just stopped by to see if Patrick had news from Alexander before going on to do a bit of shopping. So, it's your lucky day, Lady Violin!"

"My lucky day?" Violet wasn't sure she liked where this was going.

"Yes! We are taking you shopping!"

Violet heard Angelica clap her hands together and Mikhail grunt.

"Angelica I can't..."

"Of course you can, and you will. I want to buy my friend a few little things here and there, and you won't deny me my wish because I am a pregnant woman!"

"What does pregnancy have to do with shopping?" Violet asked on the verge of laughter.  A part of her was curious to know what it would feel like to go shopping with a friend.  It was a silly desire, and she should focus on her mission, but there wasn't much else for her to do when she had found out Ismail would not be back in London until the Duke of Neville's ball. 

"Violet, I would give in gracefully if I was you," Mikhail said in a stage whisper, "One way or another you will go shopping today, believe me."

Angelica pulled at Violet's hand, "My brother is not usually bright, but he is right in this instance. Now let's go!"