The scowl looks as though it might be permanent. Though I’m not convinced he’s a romantic creature, either. “A wildebeest has hooves, you ninny,” her sister, Amy, corrected wearily. How else will we keep everyone frightened and intrigued?”Įveryone agreed with vigorous nods, and everyone missed Violet’s irony. “Of course we must look as though we are gossiping. “We mustn’t look as though we are gossiping.” Miss Amy Hart was new enough to the ton to think it ought to be said. Violet decided she best stop looking at Olivia lest her gaze scorch a hole in the woman’s gown. And everyone said this fulfilled the curse: an Eversea and a Redmond were destined to fall in love once per generation, with disastrous results. She’d even distributed anti-slavery pamphlets in the Pig Thistle in Pennyroyal Green, to the tolerant bewilderment of the pub’s proprietor, Ned Hawthorne. Given over to working passionately for causes. And the reason behind his absence was all too present: Olivia Eversea, eldest daughter of the Everseas of Pennyroyal Green, ancient if civil enemies of the Redmonds, stood across the room, looking slim and pale and earnest in green. Of course, the biggest absence of all was her oldest brother Lyon, the ton’s golden boy and the Redmond heir, who had disappeared a year ago, taking with him the clothes on his back and a little rosewood box he’d owned since he was a boy. Her best friend, Cynthia, and her brother Miles, who’d lately married, had remained in Pennyroyal Green, Sussex.
Her parents, Isaiah and Fanchette Redmond, were here, as was her brother Jonathan. As usual, even in the crush of bodies in the ballroom, Violet was profoundly aware of presences and absences. Lady Peregrine hovered near Violet because she wanted to be seen with her. The Harts hovered near Violet because they wanted to be her. They had taken up a prime viewing position near the ratafia in Lord and Lady Throckmorton’s ballroom. The Harts hid gasps and wicked giggles behind their fans. Which is no doubt why the married Lady Peregrine said, “Jaws, Miss Redmond? La, I’d rather snap him up between my legs.” Which, as the beautiful, legendarily capricious daughter of the wealthy and powerful Mr. Miss Violet Redmond peered over the top of her fan at the newly minted Earl of Ardmay and issued this verdict to three people: the lovely blonde Hart sisters, Millicent and Amy, who breathlessly hung on her every word, and to the married Lady Peregrine, who suffered torments when Violet was the center of attention. Tolerating the fuss long enough to decide which one of us he intends to snap up in his jaws.” “H e looks like a bored lion lounging amidst a flock of geese.
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