Page 66 of Impetuous

Philip smiled faintly. “You are very perceptive, Mother.”

“You know I am only vague about some things. Now, tell me, what is this about? Miss Verrere?”

“Cassandra!” He stared at her. “Whatever made you say that?”

Violet’s eyebrows lifted. “I’m not blind, Philip. Everyone in this house can see that you have a particular interest in the young woman. Even Sarah Yorke commented on it to me the last time she came to call. Of course, I told her you were only friends. I could hardly say anything else, since you have told me nothing about your intentions toward Miss Verrere.”

Philip’s jaw hardened. “I hardly see that it is anyone’s business other than mine.”

“Perhaps. But you must see, my love, that the way you have been in her company every day—in the library, out riding, seeking her out every evening after supper—those actions are enough to encourage any young woman to believe that your intentions toward her are serious. And you asked me to have that dress made for her and then pass it off as something I had bought—though, of course, no one knows about that. You were right—she does look lovely in it. But that is neither here nor there. What I am saying is that you must not lead her on, or you will break her heart and make her an object of pity or ridicule.”

“I would never do that to Cassandra!”

“Then what do you intend to do? Surely you are not planning to marry her?”

He scowled. “Why do you say it like that? Is the idea so preposterous? You have been after me for years to marry.”

“Well, of course you must do so, for the sake of the succession. I would not like to see Haverly House go to that weedy little Chauncey Trent. I have never been able to stand him or his mother. However, I would not have thought that…” Her voice trailed off as she met her son’s steely gaze. “Philip, really, you needn’t glare at me so. I have nothing against your Miss Verrere. She is a very nice girl, though sometimes, I admit, when she is talking about Shakespeare and things like that, I am really not sure what she is saying. She is a good woman, quite kind, and she seems most efficient. And, of course, her breeding is irreproachable. I never could understand why your father disliked the Verreres so much. But…”

“But what?” Philip crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

“She is not the most eligible female. You must see that. I have heard that her family is in utter financial ruin. And that aunt of hers!” Violet rolled her eyes. “An encroaching sort of female, and that daughter is even worse. ‘Fast’ is the only way to describe her.”

“We have some relatives that are rather odd fishes, as well,” Philip said. “And money is not my first requirement in a wife.”

“But, Philip, she has been out for years and, well, she did not take.”

“Other people’s tastes are not my concern, either, Mother. I find Miss Verrere most…unique. Intriguing.” His face softened as he spoke of her. “I find her…beautiful. She is not the common sort, I’ll grant you, but then, as you know, I have never been attracted to anything common.”

Violet stared. She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. “Philip…are you serious? Do you plan to marry Miss Verrere? I thought you were merely dallying—”

“I am not dallying with her. I—I don’t know what I’m going to do!” he said crossly. “I find Cassandra entertaining and refreshing, and I enjoy spending time with her. But I am not leading her on. She knows that. We are working on a project together. That is why we spend so much time together. Believe me, she would not build her hopes on marriage.”

“A project?” Violet looked confused. “Whatever are you talking about?”

“It is…something about our ancestors. It concerns the animosity that has existed between our families for years and the reasons for it.”

“Oh. A historical thing.”

“Yes.”

“I never understood why you found history interesting.”

“You are not alone. But that is one reason why Miss Verrere and I are friends. We can talk about things like that.”

“I see.” Her tone expressed anything but the meaning of her words.

“This project is why I came here this evening. I need your help.”

Her expression of confusion deepened. “You need my help about history?”

“No, no.” He smiled. “I had a question about this house. Cassandra and I have been looking for a certain book. Did you ever hear of a book in the house known as the ‘Queens Book’?”

Violet’s forehead wrinkled. “No, dear, but you know I know very little about books. Is that why you two have been spending so much time in the library?”

“Yes, but we could not find it. We searched the schoolroom in the nursery, too. Is there anywhere else in the house that books are stored?”

“Umm, I’m not sure, dear. The attic, perhaps? Was it an old book?”