Page 47 of Beyond Her Manner

Gillian contemplated not telling her until she realised that the two of them seeing each other was unavoidable.

“Viola. I asked her to pop over to discuss some initial details for the ball. We need to get a date set as soon as possible.”

“Good idea. I’ll never know how you managed to persuade her when the two of you have been drawing daggers,” Bridget said with a smirk as she filled her bag with her notes.

“We have come to an understanding; that’s all,” Gillian replied sharply.

“Well done, you, for being the bigger person. You know, the gossip in the village is that the two of you left together the other day in her car.”

“We don’t listen to idle gossip, do we?”

“No, Gillian.” Bridget smirked. “Unless we started it.”

“Exactly.” Suddenly realising what Bridget said, she glared at her. “We don’t spread gossip. We merely keep people informed.” She held a guiding hand towards the sitting room door.

Taking the hint, Bridget left the room, leaving Gillian to glance around to make sure everything was in order. She wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect of showing Viola her minuscule home. There would never be a good time, but having visited the manor for coffee, it was only polite to reciprocate.

She made her way through to the hallway to find Bridget sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, tying her shoelaces.

Viola knocked on the door again, and Gillian opened it with a raised eyebrow. “You’re early. Again.”

“I’m on time actually,” Viola chortled back.

“It’s always polite to be five minutes late. Therefore, being on time is arriving early.”

Viola frowned at her playfully as she entered. “This isn’t the nineteenth century, Gillian.”

“Indeed, it is not. Thank you for that sad reminder.”

“And if it were, then any time the lady of the manor wished to call on one of her subjects, she could, and not be reprimanded for it,” Viola teased.

“Subjects! I suppose thenIshould be grateful we’re not still bound by such archaic customs.”

Viola grinned. “Modern times have their perks. Like the freedom to be early without judgement.”

“And to remind others of their outdated etiquette?” Gillian questioned with a smirk.

“Precisely.”

Bridget appeared beside them, having put her shoes on. Gillian had forgotten she was still there.

“Oh! Bridget. Sorry, I didn’t realise you were here,” Viola said.

Bridget smirked at the two of them. “I’ll leave you two to it. Thank you for agreeing to a ball, Viola. The village is abuzz with excitement.”

“My pleasure and thank you. I assume you’ll be helping organise it.”

“I will.” Bridget beamed. Looking Viola up and down, she added, “Oh, do you ride?”

“No,” Viola replied, adjusting the sleeve of her jacket. “Gillian is teaching me.”

“Oh, is she?” Bridget said in a tone that danced on the edge of curiosity, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Yes, well, run along, Bridget,” Gillian said impatiently. “I’m sure you have some calls to make.”

Bridget shimmied past Viola and stepped outside. “Yes, of course.”

“Run along? You make her sound like a child. Or worse, a dog,” Viola said sharply, as soon as Gillian closed the door behind her.