Page 34 of A Proposition for the Comte

‘Oh, my goodness, Violet. You cannot be serious. All these problems have only happened since we picked the Comte de Beaumont up off the road. The Frenchman is a killer. We saw the blood on him and heard of the murder in the boarding house. He is not a man to trust.’

‘We do not know his story, Amara. After today I think we should give him a chance. He was, after all, the one who saved me.’

‘Why was he there, then? Have you thought about that?’

‘Charles asked for his presence in Hyde Park. He told me so himself for his agents had heard of the threat.’

‘The Comte is dangerous, Violet, but I don’t think you realise just how much.’

‘Good, for I have need of such a one.’

‘You cannot mean this.’

‘But I do, Amara. For so long we have been afraid. I do not want to be any more. I won’t allow it.’

‘Being thrown into gaol is a lot worse than being afraid. We could simply disappear after travelling to Italy and never come back to England.’

‘What of your boys? By running away we will consign them to being homeless for ever and without title. For years your brother frightened us, Amara. He took everything that we were and made us...nothing, but I do not have children to protect, there is only myself. That’s why you should leave England until all this is resolved. For Michael and for Simon. For their future.’

Amara stood and walked over to the window, pulling back the curtain to look out into the night.

‘You are so much braver than me, Violet, and you always have been. I think that is what attracted Harland to you in the first place. My brother held no courage and he knew it. But to choose this? To choose to stay and fight against enemies we have no knowledge of...’

‘I will have help. Uncle Charles is an ally.’

‘And when these so-called protectors are not with you? You might have learnt how to use a blade well, but could you kill someone if it was necessary? Could you consign your very soul to the hell mine is in already?’

‘Yes. For family, I could. For myself I could. Harland left us both fearful with his appalling behaviour and the only thing I truly wish is that he had died earlier, that we had killed him earlier.’

‘It was not you, Violet.’

‘If you ever say different to the authorities, I will refute the fact. The boys need their mother and Aurelian de la Tomber will see to it that I am safe.’

‘But for me to go and leave you to it?’

‘It’s what I want and if you are not here I won’t be distracted with worry for you all.’

‘I don’t know...’

Violet knew right then that Amaryllis would do just as she asked.