VIOLET DAWN

Chapter 33

"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Violin?"

Violet kept pace with the Duke of Neville who walked her in a circle around the large ballroom, "Yes your Grace, thank you." It was a lie. She was nervous. More nervous than she had ever been. Soon, Ismail would show up and her life would be irrevocably changed.

"I have to thank you, my Lady. My daughter, Elisabeth, cannot stop speaking of your musical talent. She is an avid student of the violin herself and is your greatest fan."

Violet smiled, trying to focus on the conversation. "I am flattered, your grace, but please do call me Violet."

The Duke stopped, his deep voice low so as not to be overheard. "I have heard of your music, your beauty and your courage Violet, but never of your blindness. How do you hide it?"

Stunned, Violet took her hand from the crook of his arm. He had her full attention now.

"I suppose I do have an unfair advantage over the rest of the ton. You see my sister, Mary, is blind. She lives in the country. I would live there myself if it were not for my position in the House of Lords and Elisabeth's school."

For some reason Violet got the impression the Duke did not usually tell people such intimate details about himself. He had inadvertently come across her secret and was giving her one in return. She appreciated his gesture.

"People generally believe what they want to believe," Violet said at last. Hadn't she wanted to believe Patrick loved her, just because she loved him? It was all wishful thinking.

"A truth if I ever heard one," the Duke acknowledged. "You know Violet, Elisabeth's mother passed away a few years ago and I admit to being well, a little over protective of her since." He laughed at himself, then took Violet's hand, "She has asked me if she might meet you, and I believe that such an introduction would do her a wealth of good."

"Thank you, your Grace," Violet smiled feeling flattered. "I would be honoured to meet your daughter."

"Good, I will ask Princess Kourakin to bring you for tea soon. Ah, Patrick, I wondered if you would show."

"When have you known me to reject an invitation of yours, your Grace?"

Violet understood that Patrick was a powerful man. She had gathered that from the way men and women differed to him and from the snippets of gossip she heard about him, but his easy familiarity with the Duke of Neville, a man who had the ear of the Queen of Britain herself, was surprising.

"I want to ask for your opinion on a matter if you have time this week. Perhaps at James' country home? I'm due to pay him a visit  soon." 

"Of course," Patrick replied. He was standing closer to her now; Violet could feel his heat, his scent blocked out everyone else's. Was this the way they would spend their last few moments together? Making polite chit chat with the Duke of Neville?

A fist seemed to be closing around her heart. Violet could not stand there for another moment. This had to finish, she had to find Ismail and give him what he deserved and end all of this once and for all.

"If you will excuse me, your Grace, my Lord?" Violet spoke towards the men, "I believe I promised this next dance." It was not a lie, she had promised the dance to a marquis or another, although she had no intention of dancing.

"Let me escort you to your partner," Patrick said smoothly. He had taken her arm before she could think to refuse. "I'll arrange that meeting, your Grace." 

"Good. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Violin. Please enjoy your evening."

"Thank you, your Grace." Suddenly Violet realised that she was about to ruin this ball with murder. All of these people would be distressed and the Duke would no longer want her to meet his daughter. She was about to become a murderess. No, it was not murder, it was justice...