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CHAPTER THREE

Alistair had retreated to his study as soon as he had returned to his London home, and had spent the last hour pacing in front of the fireplace, mulling over the situation with Violet. She shadows grew longer but still he did not stop pacing.

Alistair just kept going over the same facts time and time again, each time trying to see something new, to discover something he had missed.

The letters. The threats. The malicious nature.

He was no stranger to devious schemes, indeed, as a youth, he had even orchestrated some.

Although his were never intended to harm, only to prank.

This, however, was no prank. Whoever was behind this campaign of ruination knew the ton well, of that Alistair was sure.

They knew the ton thrived on whispered rumours, knew that once Violet’s name, her reputation, was damaged, there would be no salvaging it.

Not without a very public act of contrition, and even then, Alistair doubted it would be forgotten.

Suddenly, Alistair stopped in his tracks, his frown lifting. An idea had just come to him, one so simple and brilliant, it would surely work. They would announce Lady’s Violet’s engagement. After all, the ton loved a wedding, and once one was announced the talk would be on little else.

That it would be temporary need not be revealed, the ruse would protect Violet from the damaging swirl of rumours, of that he was certain.

Indeed, once Violet was seen as promised to another, no one would dare approach her maliciously.

She would be shielded and protected by her fiancés name. Especially as that name would be his.

He had his driver return him to Blackwell House and waited for Violet in the drawing room, under the watchful eye of her mother.

While their families had been entwined in one way or another for years, Alistair felt a strange sense of restlessness at what he was about to propose.

Offering Violet his protection, his name, stirred something inside him, something he wasn’t quite ready to name.

He couldn’t remember a time he didn’t know Violet; she had been a permanent fixture in his life for so long.

His regard for her had deepened over the years, into what, he wasn’t certain.

Of course, he was fond of her, but there was something else, something far more dangerous.

He knew he was binding himself to her by the simple act of this engagement ruse, if she would have him, he knew it had the potential to change everything, but he had no choice. He would keep her safe.

Alistair knew the moment Violet entered the drawing room, even though his back was currently turned to her. The air shifted and he was suddenly surrounded by the delicate scent of jasmine blossoms, Violet’s signature scent.

“Violet,” Alistair turned to face her, a vision of innocence in her sea green chiffon gown.

“Alistair, whatever is the matter? Is there another letter?” Her face pinched in concern; it was clear that she was worried.

“No, there have been no more missives from our saboteur yet. Please,” Alistair indicated the chair by the fire, “sit, I must talk with you.” Violet complied without question, folding her hands in her lap and looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak.

“I’ve been thinking,” Alistair began slowly, looking for the right words to say. “The only way in which we can assure your reputation stays uninjured would be if the ton had no reason to doubt you, no reason with which to question you.”

“I know you’re right, though it vexes me that I should be questioned at all.”

“Indeed,” Alistair grinned at Violet’s words, she had always had such differing opinions on a women’s role and obligations, at times she had quite scandalised the ton.

“We need to give them a plausible reason as to why you would be seen around town unchaperoned, talking so intimately with a man not related to you. the ton needs to accept your actions without question.”

“How do you suggest we accomplish that?”

“They need to see that you are already bound to another.”

“What do you mean?” Violet frowned. “Are you suggesting that I tell a falsehood? Then what would you have me do, hide from society until the risk to my reputation is neutralised?

“No,” Alistair said, shaking his head slowly. “I am suggesting that we announce your engagement to be married.”

“My what?” Her mouth hung open in surprise, a look of utter disbelief on her face. “Whom am I supposed to be marrying?”

“Me.” Alistair said simply. “I will announce our engagement,” his tone held no room to argue, “it will be temporary of course, until we find the source of these rumours. Once it is safe for you to move freely through society again, we will go our separate ways in a dignified manner. No one will question it. I will ensure it is well-publicized, and it will serve as a shield for your reputation.”

Violet stared at him, unspeaking, for the longest time. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire.

“You are asking me to pretend,” Violet said, her voice a whisper of disbelief. “To pretend to be engaged to you.”

“I know it is not ideal,” he interrupted gently, his tone softening. “But this is the only way, Violet. You must see that. I would never suggest this if there were any other way. You must trust me.”

“What about you Alistair? What if this puts you in a position that you did not wish for? The Duke of Hawthorne, engaged to the Blackwell heir’s sister, it could raise questions of its own.”

“I have no fear of scandal Violet; you are aware of that. I would do it regardless, it is a small price to pay for your peace of mind, Violet.” She said nothing, her gaze intense as she studied him.

“Very well,” she finally said, “if this is the only way, I will trust you.” The weight of their decision settled between them.

And so, their engagement was set. A temporary promise to protect her from as yet undiscovered malice, their engagement would serve its purpose.

What it would do to their futures, Alistair could not say.

He knew, however, that their facade would only complicate matters further, and neither of them would leave the charade unscathed.