A time for courage

[DonaCatalina]

  The next few days brought more surprises for Violet. The Marquis of Berwick had insisted on providing her with a small allowance. Her first excursion from the castle was into the town to purchase items of clothing that she needed. Despite the generosity of Baroness Linton, Violet had no clothes that were not worn, stained or patched. The steward had assigned a maid named Martha to act as her lady's maid. One of the Earl's armsmen accompanied the women into the town for a day of shopping. Since the weather was sure to get colder, Violet concentrated on heavier wool dresses. With a slightly sad longing she recalled the luxury of the plush velvet dresses that Lord Horton had given her. For the moment, garments like that were beyond her means. Items like hoods and shoes were easily enough found. Underpinnings required a small amount of time for measurements. However, the fittings at the seamstress's shop took much more time, so it was nearly time for dinner when they made their way back to the castle. Violet's small purchases made up quite an armload of small bundles. It was a small mercy that the dresses and other things would be delivered to the castle later. Her second excursion was to buy a small wedding gift for her friend Margaret. It could be delivered by one of the Earl's messengers who made regular trips back and forth to London. She chose a pair of cream colored kid gloves, hoping that the arrival of the gift would reassure Margaret and her parents that she was well. As Violet wrapped them up for delivery, it saddened her to realize that she would not attend her friend's wedding.

[DonaCatalina]

  It was the first of December when Violet received instructions from the Earl to pack for a trip to London. Through Master John, the steward, he explained that he now felt it necessary that his household attend the Christmas Court. While she was pleased that he had provided several gowns suitable for Court attire, she did not relish the possibility of seeing her stepmother, or Mistress Lisle. The Earl was entitles to lodgings at Court, but because of the demand for space he had leased a fairly large house at the edge of the city. Northumberland preferred to travel in comfort and he refused to limit his personal retainers and servants just because the Court was crowded for the holidays. The armsman who had accompanied Violet on her shopping trips was one of three detailed to attend her while they were all in London. During one of the rare dinners when the Earl was not entertaining guests, he spoke to Violet "I had hoped to keep you here out of the king's sight. If he catches sight of you, the price of his favor might increase. But since I sincerely doubt that he will grace the poor house I have managed to procure, it is not likely he will see you." He paused while a server refilled his wine. "I understand that Lord Horton is working on a marriage contract for you" he casually announced "Yardley Hall pays a decent income, and the other two are not far behind. I would think you could have quite a choice of suitors even without any of them getting a look at you". At first Violet had been confused by the sudden change of subject matter. Belatedly it occurred to her that the Earl was attempting to pay her a compliment. "Your Grace is far too kind" she managed to reply. The smile that brightened his face told her that she had guessed correctly. She almost questioned further about her possible suitor, but decided against it since she was unlikely to know the man anyway.

[DonaCatalina]

The journey to London was miserable even with the level of convenience that the Earl of Northumberland was able to afford. The boxy carriages were bitterly cold even with fur coverlets and the windows tightly shut. Violet shared her coverlet with Martha, her maid. She pitied the other members of the household who rode out in the open, either or horseback or on wagons. Until they were far enough south that the snowfall was lighter, they did not cover much ground in a day. It was dangerous to risk the road in darkness during a heavy snowfall. The lack of visibility had led numerous travelers to their deaths when they wandered unseeing off the road. They did reach their destination in the end. When they passed inside the gates, Violet could not help her reaction at first sight. What the Earl had termed a 'poor house' seemed to her a grand palace. This house compared to Alnwick as a lady's palfrey compared to a warhorse. The many glittering windows set into ruddy brick walls glittered from the glow of light from within. When they stopped in the stable yard, Violet realized that her father's house was hardly larger than the stables here. She threaded her way though the mass of servants unpacking the wagons and reached the warmth inside the house. Master John, the steward called out to her "I will have someone show you to your rooms momentarily Mistress. The maids are still lighting the bedroom fires". He hurried off so quickly that Violet was uncertain that he had her when she replied "Thank you". The wait turned out to be only a few moments before a woman she had never seen before came up and told her "Follow me an it please you Mistress. Your chambers are ready for you now". She was glad of the guide as they walked. The warren of hallways they traversed seemed like a maze to Violet.

[DonaCatalina]

  The room that Violet was shown turned out to be a type of 'stacked rooms' that she had heard about but never seen. The ground floor was a small withdrawing room with chests for storage and a table where she could take her meals if she wished. The second floor was a bedchamber with a surprisingly large bed and more cabinets for storage. On the top floor was a bathing chamber and garderobe. A door in the far wall of this chamber presumably led to another set of chambers. Since the house Violet had known most of her life only had one garderobe, just having one for two sets of chambers seemed decadent, to say the least. Her explorations finished, Violet changed out of her heavy traveling clothes. She determined to learn her way around the house. Martha was left to do the unpacking as Violet started down the hall. A few false starts brought her to a mostly empty reception room flanked by two fireplaces. At that moment, only one of them was in use. The other sat cold and empty. Light spilled into this room from two large mullioned windows. The evening light showed the snow in the yard beyond had been churned to gray slush by many feet. "His Grace will not be dining here this evening" Master John's voice startled her since she had not heard his approach. He asked "Will you be dining downstairs, or shall I order supper for your rooms?" Already rattled by the steward's silent approach, she was further confused by the question. Back at Alnwick, she had grown used to the staff mostly ignoring her. She was not sure what had sparked the change, but he had addressed her as a lady of rank. "I think I will have dinner in my room" she answered him "I should feel odd eating alone in that great dining room". She had inclined her head towards the long dining hall just visible through double doors. "Very good Mistress" was Master John's only comment before he disappeared once more.

[DonaCatalina]

  Several days passed before Violet saw the Earl of Northumberland. She was doing some embroidery by the fire in the reception room when he stalked in with a clump of retainers. "It is good that you are here" he told her "His Grace, the King, has asked that you be presented at Court in the morning. Your benefactor, the Marquis, apparently has something in the works with the Earl of Grantham. The king wants you to be presented before he gives his approval. Wear something suitable and be ready early." Without giving Violet time to comment, he walked off with the horde in tow. At first Violet was nearly overcome by anxiety at meeting the king. She sank back down on her stool when her trembling knees threatened to betray her. Then as the full import of his words sank in, she realized that she was now officially the ward of Lord Horton. Her father and stepmother had to have been informed of her change in status. In fact, they probably knew of her whereabouts by now. And what use her stepmother and Mistress Lisle might make of that knowledge, Violet shuddered to contemplate.

[DonaCatalina]

That night Violet slept very little, and when she did her dreams were punctuated by Hereward's gloating face and Mistress Lisle's cold voice. Violet was already on her way to see the king when she realized that thoughts of her stepmother and the Lisle family had entirely crowded out any thoughts of what arrangement may have been made with the Earl of Grantham. Then they arrived at Richmond Palace and Violet had no thought to spare for anything but navigating the throng of people and her coming presentation. The Earl of Northumberland surprised her when he told her "The Viscount will present you to the king. The herald will announce you both, so you need do nothing but accompany him. Bow at the appropriate time and walk away." Thomas, Viscount Berwick, appeared at her side and took possession of her arm. Barely moments later, had she heard her name and Thomas steered her forward out of the crowd and down the open space in front of the king. At the end of the patterned carpet Thomas stopped and Violet bowed on his cue. Immediately following the king's nod, he turned her to the right and they exited the room through a different doorway. Without pausing, Thomas continued with her until they were back at the sedan chair she had arrived in only a short time before. By the time Violet had recovered her wits, Thomas had gone. She stepped into the sedan chair with Martha and held on while the chair lifted.

[DonaCatalina]

  They had traversed about half the distance to the townhouse when the sedan chair jostled heavily. The bearers were shouting at the crowds who pressed in around them. Violet peered out of the curtains just in time to see a heavy set man shove one of the bearers from behind. Her guard pulled the ruffian away, but the bearer had already slipped. The chair went tumbling to the ground. Violet and Martha both screeched when rough hands started to pull them though the tangled draperies. The second guard tried to come to her aid but was set upon by two boys with clubs. Another man finally succeeded in pulling Violet upright out of the fallen chair. When he locked his arms around her, she began to scream and kick in earnest. The first guardsman had succeeded in drawing his sword. At least one of his attackers lay bleeding on the street. But there were too many of the street urchins between him and Violet as she was inexorably dragged away. Then another man appeared at her side and gave her would-be abductor tow fast blows full in the face. He staggered backwards before he pulled out a long knife and faced the newcomer. The man who had interfered in the attack had two companions with him their swords drawn. It took no more than a few seconds for the ruffian to turn and run. The other attackers melted into the crowd as if they had never been. When the grip on her had been released, Violet had fallen to the ground. Now her rescuer extended his hand to help her up. His hair was a tawny color that was not quite blonde. As Violet regained her feet, the guards moved to flank her on either side. "Thank you for your timely assistance" Violet gushed in relief. He looked down at her with gold-flecked eyes in a pleasant open face and replied with a wry smile "It was my pleasure milady. I have never before had the opportunity to rescue a damsel in distress." He looked at the glowering guards before he added "Perhaps my companions and I can assist in escorting you to your destination". She took a deep breath intending to decline, but one look at Martha's white face changed her mind. "I would be happy to accept your gracious offer, milord". The bearer who had fallen turned out to be unhurt, so within minutes they resumed their trip home.

[DonaCatalina]

The gentleman who had come to their rescue paused at the townhouse gate. He had made small talk with Violet during the remainder of the trip across London. He told funny stories about the city and people he had seen. By the time they reached the townhouse gate, he had helped Violet get over her fright and she laughed merrily at his witticisms. She tried to learn his name to thank him properly but he left them at the gate without ever introducing himself. The scuffle in the street had soiled Violet's dress so she went to her room immediately to change. The rest of the day she spent trying to repair some of the damage. She had also been working on a embroidering small Twelfth Night present for the Earl. After her morning's double ordeal, it was a relief to spend the rest of the day quietly in her rooms. She had intended to retire early when Martha opened the door to Master John's knock. "His Grace has returned and has asked to see you immediately" he explained. With more than a little trepidation, she followed the steward to the room being used as the Earl's presence chamber. He was alone except for his secretary, and one of the guards that had accompanied Violet earlier. "I have just received report of this morning's debacle" he told Violet "Do you believe this attack was directed at you specifically?" Violet shook her head slowly and replied "Your Grace, I am not sure, though I feel so. The one man seemed intent on carrying me away instead of thievery." The Earl looked at the guard who nodded as if Violet had confirmed his words. The he asked "Did you know the gentleman who came to your assistance?" This time she shook her head resolutely "No Your Grace, I have never met him before and he did not introduce himself to any of us." The Earl gestured a dismissal at her and concluded "Very well, I shall have word of this day's work sent to Whitemount. Soon enough he must have enough evidence to move against his enemies".

[DonaCatalina]

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Thomas, Viscount Berwick, arrived unexpectedly and sought Violet out. Since her narrow escape, the Earl had decreed that she remain inside the grounds of the townhouse. The bitter cold and regular snowfall meant that she was mostly confined to the house, a large one though it was. This visit was doubly welcome in light of that confinement because Violet had felt her solitude acutely as the holiday approached. When Thomas was shown into the room where she waited, Violet was shocked to see how pale and distraught he looked. He sat down opposite her and appeared to struggle with a decision. A cold knot of fear threatened to form in Violet's chest before he visibly came to a resolution and blurted out "My grandfather sent me to tell you that he has contracted your marriage to the second son of the Earl of Grantham. The Earl's property is either entailed as a dowry for his daughter or to his eldest son who will be the next Earl. My grandfather will receive a settlement in cash from the Earl of Grantham, and his son will receive your dower properties. You will become Lady Violet Waverly." His face and tone was severely at odds with the news that he had relayed. A vision of Hereward swam across her thoughts. "You sound unhappy at the arrangement" she queried "Is there something bad about Lord Waverly or his family?" Thomas stood up abruptly and walked over to the roaring fireplace. The light from the flickering flames illuminated the panes of his face. When he spoke again his voice was choked with emotion "There is nothing unsavory about Lord Waverly or any of the Earl's family. But I am afraid that I have angered my grandfather over this." Alarmed at his apparent distress Violet asked "How have you angered your grandfather?" Thomas still faced the fire as he answered "I told him that I had a great affection for you and wanted to marry you myself".

[DonaCatalina]

  "You did not!" Violet exclaimed "Please tell me that you did not." Thomas turned to look at her and asked "Why do you say that to me? Are my affections that unwelcome to you?" A trickle of tears ran from her eyes as she answered "No. I do not speak against your feelings. But you know my circumstances. Your grandfather has been kind and generous to me, much more than I would have deserved. The only means I have to repay the debt is to benefit him by my marriage." Even while the tears wet her face she refused to hide her face from the Viscount. For several minutes he looked down at her silently. His voice was low and rough when at last he questioned her "So it is only the matter of the money that stands between us." Her response was almost a whisper "There is also my honor. I have pledged myself to follow the bidding of your grandfather and Northumberland in return for their aid. I cannot renege on that bargain now." She held the Viscount's gaze until he turned his eyes away. "Very well" he said as he took a deep breath to steady himself "Then I must tell you all. Lord Robert Waverly will be at Court for Christmas to sign the marriage contract. It has fallen as my lot to sign the contract as my grandfather's representative. Lord Robert will call on you within a few days, as he wishes to see you before the marriage contracts are finalized". Surprised and somewhat anxious over what she had heard, Violet responded "Thank you for your news. I do hope we can remain on friendly terms". Thomas grimaced at her words and walked away without further reply.

[DonaCatalina]

Violet felt her heart had broken over the Viscount's confession. That he was a good man was true, and she felt she could have been happy with him if given the chance. Fortunately for her though, she was not given much time to brood over his pain. The guests of the Earl started arriving for the holidays and the house was filled with courtiers and their servants. Even young Lord Harry arrived late that evening to spend Christmas with his father. The front reception hall had fires lit in both fireplaces and buffets were set up along the walls. Food and drink were kept constantly replenished by the servants as guests came and went. The moment of wonder came for Violet when her friend Margaret came for a visit with her parents, Lord and Lady Wesley. Violet's face lit of with delight when she recognized her friend as she handed her cloak to one of the maids. The Lord and lady, she greeted with an embrace. Margaret's new husband, Sir John stepped forward out of the entryway and greeted Violet "Happy Christmas to you Mistress". With a broad smile Violet replied "Happy Christmas to you all. It was been a great crush in here this evening but we can find a place to sit. I am sure you wish to meet some of the other guests but I would dearly love some time to speak with Margaret". Lady Wesley smiled at Violet's exuberance and responded "Please take whatever time you like. We will not be leaving soon." Lord Wesley took his wife's arm and led her away through the crowd. Sir John excused himself to greet a few of his acquaintances from Court. Violet led her friend to a relatively empty corner of the room. "What has happened with my father and stepmother since I left" she asked breathlessly.

[DonaCatalina]

  "At first they seemed concerned when they came looking for you" Margaret explained to Violet "But after awhile your stepmother became angry. She would come over frequently and accuse my parents of either hiding you or kidnapping you". Margaret paused and looked towards where Lady Wesley stood talking to another woman. "The last time she flew into a tantrum" she continued "Father ordered the servants to refuse her admission after that". Violet had been gripping the sides of her stool while Margaret talked. She leaned forward and whispered "What of Hereward and Mistress Lisle?" Margaret held out her hands and shrugged. "They visited your house a few times after your disappearance. But in the last month none of them has been seen near there." After a moment she cocked her head to one side and added "Oddly enough, I have not seen your stepmother in the last month either." What this portended, Violet did not know. "Someone tried to abduct me on the day that I was presented to the king" she told Margaret matter-of-factly "And I have been told of at least one attempt to murder Baron Whitemount." Margaret reached out for her friend's hand and told her "Now that their plot is known, I do not understand what they hope to gain by continuing on with it". With her eyes turned upwards, Violet admitted "I do not understand either. I honestly believed that with their hope of gain thwarted all of this would end". "Do you have any good news since I saw you last?" Margaret implored. Violet turned a small smile towards the other woman. "It seems" she began "that I am to marry Lord Robert, the younger son of Grantham. I think I am supposed to meet him tomorrow".

[DonaCatalina]

The news of Violet's betrothal pleased Margaret. A smile lit her face as she exclaimed "We are invited back tomorrow night. Perhaps I can meet Lord Robert as well". This made Violet's smile become genuine. "If you were here it would make meeting him so much easier for me" she said happily. She almost said more but was interrupted by Lady Wesley. "Margaret, we need to go now. I think your husband is waiting for you also". Both girls looked up to see the two men near the door, cloaks in hand. The two women stood up and embraced. Margaret told her friend "I will see you tomorrow. Good Night and Happy Christmas". Violet realized how much good it had done her to see her friend. She looked longingly at the door through which she had left. After a quick glance around at the crowd, she decided she might as well go to bed since Mass would be very early in the morning. The hallway to her chambers was dark and empty. As she walked along she began to regret not bringing a candle with her. By feel she unlocked her door and pushed it open. The light in the fireplace was very bright compared to the black of the hallway. She started to shriek when strong hands clamped over her mouth and pushed her backwards into the room. The door slammed shut and cut off any hope of escape.

[DonaCatalina]

The hands left her mouth and grasped the back of her head. Before she could protest Violet was being roughly kissed. His breath was heavy with wine as his body pressed her forcefully against the wall. Almost instinctively she brought her knee up hard and was rewarded by a pained groan. Her assailant fell away and down to his knees. She was shocked at the face revealed in the firelight. "Thomas!" she cried "What on earth are you doing?" Through gritted teeth he replied "I am not quite sure at the moment. I know I was very drunk". He groaned again and struggled up on to a stool. "It seems that pain has a remarkable sobering effect". Spreading her hands out towards the door Violet pleaded "Please explain to me what this is all about". He dropped his head into his hands and softly said "I had this mad plan to make you love me. The neither you nor I would sign your marriage contract with Lord Robert. But now that my mind is clearer, the idea of forcing you sickens me". After another heartfelt groan he added "Though it appears that you have rendered that a moot point". Looking down at him, Violet was not sure if she felt repulsed by his admission or pained over his distress. "Thomas" she said softly "You need to stop thinking about me. We both know that I have no choice but to marry Lord Robert. I will always treasure your affection for me, but you cannot let it ruin your life". When he turned his face up to her, she was shocked to see tears streaming down his face. "Tell me that I have not forever soiled your good opinion of me" he pleaded with her. Her fingertips lightly brushed his hair as she replied "You have not. But you should not be here. Mayhap if you leave now, no one will notice since a lot of the servants have started leaving for Christmas". He opened the door. For a moment he paused as if he wanted to say more, but rushed away without saying anything. Violet ran up the stairs to her bed and cried herself to sleep.

[DonaCatalina]

Mass was indeed very early on Christmas morning. Many of the attendees looked as if they were there in body only. Christmas Eve revels all over the city had gone far into the night. Violet was able to sit next to Margaret during the Christmas luncheon. The dishes served probably violated several sumptuary laws. The two friends occasionally found themselves giggling over an unfamiliar delicacy. The seat meant for the Viscount of Berwick stayed empty throughout the meal. It seemed to Violet that no one besides her noticed his absence. A great iron trough was set in the front courtyard and a bonfire was set in it. After the last dish was served, the Earl dismissed the remainder of the household servants to celebrate Christmas with their families. Even those who had traveled with him from the north found somewhere to go. It was quite a sight as he stood outside near the fire giving out Christmas bonuses to them all as they filed past. The golden groats gleamed in the firelight before they vanished into pockets and purses. This night of the year most London streets would be well lit. Revelers, carolers and those simply visiting friends created a tapestry of torchlight against the twilight sky. When Lord Wesley told his family that it was time to go, Violet was unhappy to see Margaret leave. She had no idea when she might see her friend again. Once they were gone Violet made her way to her rooms. The Earl was still celebrating Christmas with his son, but Violet felt out of place with them.