Violet (Flower Trilogy) by Lauren Royal Read Free Book Online Page A

yelled. ‘‘I’m glad to see you!’’
    Jewel splashed herself in the face as her eyes popped open wide. Then she giggled, and her lips parted in a grin. ‘‘Jewel Chase!’’ she shouted, clearly thinking it was a game.
    The earl bowed. ‘‘I’m glad of your acquaintance, young lady!’’ he hollered back.
    ‘‘Joseph!’’ Lady Trentingham rounded the corner of the mansion. ‘‘How many times must I remind you the rest of us can hear just fine?’’ Laughing softly, she came close and kissed him on the cheek. ‘‘You forgot your hat,’’ she added, plopping a wide-brimmed specimen on his head.
    ‘‘My thanks, love.’’ Apparently grateful for the shade, the earl clipped a blood-red bloom and presented it to his wife with a flourish.
    ‘‘Just what I needed,’’ she murmured. But the smile she sent her husband was genuine.
    ‘‘I’m wearing your perfume,’’ Jewel piped up.
    The woman turned to her. ‘‘Well, come closer, and let me see if it’s the right scent for such a lovely girl.’’

    Jewel ran right over, wiping her wet palms on her dress. ‘‘Do I smell good?’’
    Lady Trentingham leaned down and sniffed. ‘‘You smell glorious.’’
    A radiant smile transformed Jewel’s face. ‘‘Will Rowan like it, do you think?’’
    ‘‘She is rather fond of your son,’’ Ford said.
    ‘‘So my daughter told me.’’ Lady Trentingham’s eyes danced as she looked up at him. ‘‘She also told me the feeling was less than mutual.’’
    ‘‘I’m afraid she was right,’’ he lamented. ‘‘And I was so hoping the children would get along.’’
    ‘‘I’d wager you were.’’ She looked contemplative.
    ‘‘Men, you know, they sometimes take a while to come around.’’ Her husband had resumed puttering around, but her gaze on him was unmistakably affectionate. ‘‘My Rowan takes after his father, I’m afraid, but I’m sure, given time, he’ll come to appreciate this delightful young lady.’’
    Ford watched as Jewel went back to the fountain, sighing when she splashed her dress. Another change of clothing in the offing. He could already imagine Hilda complaining about the additional laundry and ironing. And him having nothing to do but listen, because he couldn’t work with a child running loose.
    ‘‘Lady Trentingham . . .’’ Desperation setting in, he ran a hand back through his hair and then favored her with one of his famous seductive smiles. ‘‘Do you suppose your son might give Jewel another chance?’’
    Perching a knee on one of the window seats in the gold-and-cream-toned drawing room, Violet peered out the window at the blur she knew was the viscount and her parents. ‘‘What do you think they’re saying?’’
    she asked her sisters.
    Rose pressed closer to the panes, fussing with a floral arrangement she’d set in the window niche. ‘‘They seem to be discussing that little girl who is playing in the fountain.’’
    ‘‘Jewel,’’ Violet said. ‘‘The one I told you about who fancies herself in love with Rowan.’’
    Nearby, Lily’s fingers glided over the harpsichord, producing a lyrical tune. ‘‘How sweet.’’
    ‘‘How absurd,’’ Rose countered. ‘‘She’s too young to be in love.’’ She patted her deep chestnut curls.
    ‘‘Unlike me. I do declare, that man out there looks mighty fine.’’
    ‘‘He’s too intellectual for you,’’ Violet snapped, then wondered why she should suddenly be so short-tempered. ‘‘Does Mum look like she’s pleased to see them?’’
    Lily didn’t miss a beat as she looked up and out the window. ‘‘Very.’’
    Rose leaned her hands on the sill. ‘‘Now Lord Lakefield has lifted the girl, and Mum is running a finger down her cheek.’’ She turned to Violet. ‘‘I think she must like her . . . Do you suppose Mum’s already matchmaking for Rowan ?’’ Rose seemed genuinely worried that their little brother would beat his older sisters to the