2. Chapter Two

Kairos

Chapter Two

When she couldn't sleep, Miss Violet Clympton read. It was a habit that she had developed in her younger years and could not remember what had started it. All she knew was that when she awoke at a stupidly early hour, her favourite indulgence was found in a good book.

This was the reason she gave to Lord Clympton when he entered the library at 5 o'clock in the morning to find his daughter by the recently lit fire, her gaze fixed upon a volume which was held precariously close to a steadily dying candle.

"Vi?" he exclaimed confusedly, "What are you doing awake? Why aren't you reading in your room?"

The lord's daughter spared her father a single glance before returning to her book. "I couldn't sleep," she replied, "Nelly was here laying the fire twenty minutes ago, she promised to bring me a pot of tea."

"How long have you been here?" Her father tried again.

Violet didn't look up, "An hour or two? I know where Crook keeps the spare candles and did not want to bother anyone. It's a perfectly warm morning." She looked up with twinkling hazel eyes, "It is April, Papa."

"And why should Nelly have to do extra duties for you? She already has to lay a fire in every room of this house before 6."

"I didn't ask, she offered! Besides, this is not the first time she's found me here in the early morning, you just weren't awake to witness it."

Lord Clympton sighed and admitted defeat. He seated himself beside the fire and regarded his firstborn with a sardonic gaze.

"So, why are you awake at such an hour? What's affected your sleep?"

His questions received no response.

He tried again, "May I at least know what you are reading?" His daughter obligingly held up the spine of her book, "Romeo and Juliet? Isn't it a bit early for Shakespearean tragedy?"

"I'm a young woman in my second season, Papa. Didn't you know, my life is a Shakespearean tragedy."

Unable to help himself, Violet's father laughed. "Oh yes, and which one would you compare your tragic life to, dearest?"

His daughter considered, "I believe there is something of Perdita about me, Papa."

"The Winter's Tale? So, you believe you are secretly the daughter of a king? And who is your Florizel, may I ask? Perhaps this Viscount Bridgerton your mother has told me so much about?"

Violet groaned. "Is there not a single member of the Ton who hasn't already paired me off with Lord Bridgerton?"

Her father considered, "Well he is apparently a very fine young man and I have nothing against the match in principle …"

"Besides the fact that your daughter has only met him once?"

"Violet I'm only teasing."

She sighed and slammed down her book, "I know Papa, but I just find it ridiculous! Lord Bridgerton and I had two dances together and the whole room was acting as though we were engaged!"

"Did he ask to see you today?"

Her silence spoke volumes.

"Then why are you losing sleep over it? Surely your slumber should be unimpeded if it was just "two dances" as you so adamantly state."

Violet stared at her father, he had used her own logic against her, and she hated it. She tried another tack, "How did you feel when you first saw Mama?"

Lord Clympton was taken aback for a second. He was used to verbally sparring with his daughter and knew her turn of phrase, but this abrupt question caught him off guard.

"Your mother?"

"How did you feel when you first saw her?" Violet pressed, "Did you have a 'Romeo seeing Juliet' moment, or was it more gradual?"

Her father considered the question for a moment before remembering that it was only 5.10 in the morning and privately cursed his daughter.

"Is it not a bit early for deep emotional discussions?"

"Papa." There was something in her tone that waylaid the teasing remark Lord Clympton was about to make and made him really look at her.

Violet was by nature a calm and very intelligent girl. It took a lot to rattle her and she normally took surprises with an impressive level of what her mother called "unflappability". However, she was not her usual self this morning. She kept fidgeting with her dressing gown and looked truly anxious about something. It seemed that all her protestations spoke of a troubled mind.

"Please," she tried again. "How did you feel when you first saw Mama?"

He settled himself more comfortably upon the sofa and pondered the question. "It was the first ball of the season," he reminisced. "Your mother was seated with a group of her friends and I was struck by how she wasn't giggling."

Violet smiled, "Mama was the serious one?"

"Oh, I was soon to discover her cutting wit, but I was struck by how serious she seemed at such a merry event. So, I asked her to dance."

"What happened?"

"She demanded to know why I had chosen the solemn maiden from among a group of merry and I told her that her solemnity intrigued me. It was then that she told me of the death of a beloved family pet that very morning, the famous basset hound Wilber she's spoken so long of."

"Oh yes! The dog who was a puppy when she was a baby."

"Indeed, so our first evening together was spent reminiscing over dearly departed pets."

Violet laughed, "It wasn't!"

Her father smiled, "I promise you it was. After that, another young man asked her to dance and I found myself unable to get her out of my head. It was not love at first sight, dearest, but I believe it was friendship. We did not fall for each other straight away, but we spent the better part of a month getting to know each other. Then she asked me one day whether we were simply friends, or did I think that I might propose before the end of the season and I told her that that sounded like an excellent idea and we were married six months later."

"So, it started as friendship?" Violet surmised.

Lord Clympton nodded, "I suppose it did. Your mother and I were so well suited, but we also had a deeper connection than mere attraction, we had come to value and love each other over that month." He put an affectionate arm around his daughter, "I suppose the best advise I can give is to take your time and simply enjoy being with any man you may one day consider accepting." He dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead as the door slid silently open and the scullery maid Nelly came bustling in with a full tray,

"Here you go, Miss Vi, I even found you some biscuits …" she began, "Oh your Lordship! I'm so sorry to carry on like that, I only brought a cup for Miss Violet …"

"Do not trouble yourself Nelly, I have a spare cup on my desk," he replied. "And I must thank you for feeding my unhelpful offspring who will insist upon interrupting your duties."

The scullery maid smiled and bobbed a curtsey, "It's no trouble at all, my lord, I often meet Miss Violet here in the early morning."

"Oh, do you?" Lord Clympton raised an eyebrow, "This is news to me."

"Thank you, Nelly," Violet added hurriedly, "This looks wonderful, I'm sure you have other duties to attend to."

Once the girl had left, Violet's father returned with his own cup and book and simply joined his daughter for half an hour's reading before the tea was finished and the day had to start.

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Lady Clympton, not such a fan of the early hours as her husband and daughter, had the satisfaction of entering Violet's chamber that morning still half asleep and seeing her looking refreshed and pretty in a favourite muslin gown. Sarah was just studding her hair with small pink flowers (to match embroidery across the bodice) when Lady Clympton entered.

"Feeling better after your chat with Papa, dearest?"

Violet smiled at her mother, "Much, Mama. He told me to simply take my time and enjoy his company. It is advice that I intend to take."

"I take it that we may expect the Viscount's attendance this morning?"

"I believe so, he did ask if he might call. I expect he will be our only visitor."

Her mother twinkled. "I am not so sure; one visitor often brings others."

Violet was not convinced, "I hope not. Though I would not mind a visit from Timothy Andrews or Mr Briggs."

In the end, both Clympton ladies were right. Eleven o'clock found them seated comfortably in the parlour and Violet halfway through a favourite concerto when Crook their butler announced 'The Viscount Bridgerton and Mr Andrews'. Both ladies arose to greet their guests.

Timothy was the first to enter and strode in with his usual pleasant air. Violet had just risen from her curtsey when she was confronted by a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Lilies, gardenia, and freesia, among others that she struggled to name.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, overwhelmed by their fragrance and beauty. She looked up to see the obvious pleasure on the Viscount's handsome face and found herself unable to frame a coherent sentence beyond a faint, "Thank you." He was just as engaging as the night before and had such warm blue eyes that she felt utterly overwhelmed.

"Thank you most kindly, my lord," her mother interjected, "It is most thoughtful of you to also bring me a bouquet."

The Viscount turned to bow over her mother's hand. "My mother taught me that it is the right and proper thing to do, Lady Clympton," he replied. "I hope that they will brighten your parlour. I asked the florist to assemble only flowers that are native to Italy."

Once again, Violet found herself overcome by his thoughtfulness and simply smiled at him. He too seemed struck dumb for a moment and was saved from a blunder by Timothy enquiring after the boys and Lord Clympton.

"My husband has taken them to the park," Lady Clympton replied. "It is such a fine morning, and the boys love nothing more than a hard canter on their ponies."

"I hope Geoffrey will not pull-on poor Rollo's mouth this morning," Violet commented, returning to the relative safety of her piano stool, "He is such a dear little thing."

"Did you learn on him, Miss Clympton?" the Viscount asked, taking a seat opposite her mother and Timothy.

Violet nodded. "He's such a treasured creature. I hate to say it, but I fear Geoffrey will have outgrown him next year. We might have to sell him."

"One's first pony is a very special thing," he agreed, "I learnt on a very stout little chap called Champion. It was a funny name for him, the only thing he was champion at was emptying his nose bag." They all laughed.

"Thank you though for the beautiful flowers," Violet stated, finding the courage to meet his gaze, "They are stunning, truly. Freesias are one of my favourites, I love their delicate fragrance."

"You are most welcome, my mother is also very fond of them." He glanced at her seat and pondered, "Were you playing before we arrived, Miss Clympton?"

"She was halfway through her latest concerto."

"Would you please play for us? I would love to hear the music you enjoy."

Violet blushed, "Oh, I play very ill …"

"Nonsense, Vi! Katherine is often telling me how she envies your abilities on the piano."

"If I had half her talent on the harp, Timothy I would imagine myself a true musician."

"What utter tosh! Come, Lady Clympton, you must support our endeavours. You and I both know how delightfully Violet plays. It is not unfair to deny my friend Bridgerton such a pleasure?"

With a little further prompting, Violet reluctantly agreed and seated herself, having denied all chance of her singing. With this addendum added, she become lost in the pleasure of the music. She played with real emotion, causing the listeners to be transported with her.

It was only once she had finished that she remembered her audience and blushed slightly under their scrutiny. They clapped loudly and the Viscount was warm in her praise, stating that he would bring her more music to play at their next meeting.

"I must hear you sing," he added once they were seated on the sofa.

"I do not know …" she began, looking down.

But he would not allow this, "I do," he stated, forcing her to maintain eye contact. She felt a blush creeping across her cheek as she nodded.

"Very well," she agreed so quietly that only he heard. He enjoyed a small smile of self-congratulation before Timothy called him.

"We must be going Bridgerton," he stated, rising, "We have that engagement at the gun smiths."

The Viscount agreed, though it was evident to all that he rose with reluctance. "Miss Clympton," he asked, "I wonder if I ask too much to invite you to take a drive with me tomorrow afternoon? Park is a sight not to be missed and would greatly love to show you it."

Violet forced herself to stay calm as she responded, "I believe we do not have any plans for tomorrow afternoon, do we Mama?"

"Our afternoon is free, but we are engaged to the theatre with your Father and the Wetherings in the evening," her mother replied, "Please be sure to have her back well in time for our evening engagement, my lord." The Viscount promised that he would and bowed to both ladies before departing with his friend.

It was only once the door was closed that Lady Clympton turned to her daughter with a smile, "So? Does the Viscount improve upon closer acquaintance?"

Violet returned her smile and was pleased to find that she was not blushing, "He is a very kind and amusing gentleman," she replied, "I do enjoy his company."

"He couldn't take his eyes off you when you were playing."

"I do often catch him watching me," she agreed. "Oh Mama, I don't know what I'm feeling! My heart's all a flutter."

Lady Clympton's responding smile was warm, "That is how it should be, my love. Just enjoy the experience and allow yourself to be honest about your feelings."

Violet nodded. She had not seen the Viscount's expression when he had seen her play, however, if it was what her mother had said, then it was obvious that she rendered him as speechless as he rendered her.

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Despite all the heartfelt feelings of every young couple in London, the weather did not cooperate, and it heavily rained all morning. Violet stood by the window for most of it lamenting every umbrella that she saw and despising England's mild climate.

"Why today of all days?" she wailed, throwing herself down upon a sofa and dislodging her brother's book.

"Vi!" her younger brother Geoffrey lamented as he attempted to find his page once more. "I need to know what Ivanhoe will do next!"

"Oh, to doubt save the day as always happens in Sir Walter Scott's work," she replied, picking up her needlework with a poor grace.

"Poor dearest Vi, in agonies over her newfound love!" Seventeen-year-old Frederick exclaimed with a dramatic faint as though he were a lady upon the stage.

"Oh, be quiet Fred, no-one asked you," she replied angrily. "Go and fence with someone who'll beat you up in a gentlemanlike manner."

Her brother smirked, "Well, I do believe that Papa wanted to make me a member at White's finally, I may go and ask when we're to leave."

Lady Clympton regarded her daughter with a knowing look. "You know that you give him exactly what he wants by rising to his bait."

"I know, but he's playing on my worries," Violet admitted. "Mother, I don't want to become another twittering Miss of the Ton. I was quite content as I was until Lord Bridgerton disrupted my entire happy pattern."

"What happy pattern? Dancing with Timothy Andrews and Mr Briggs and judging all the younger girls with Katherine at every ball?"

Violet felt herself blushing under her mother's scrutiny, "Well … yes …"

"Violet, I love you dearly, but is the Viscount not a welcome disruption? You don't want to still be sitting in this parlour when Geoffrey is taken to join White's by your father, do you?"

Her daughter considered, "I suppose not … I just do not know what to feel or how to act! I've always known who I am Mama and now …"

"It's new and scary and exhilarating all at the same time?" her mother suggested.

"Yes," Violet finished.

"Well enjoy it and just be yourself with Lord Bridgerton, he evidently likes you just as you are."

Over luncheon, Violet was pleased to see a cessation of the ceaseless rain and was even hoping for a brighter spot to appear amongst the clouds. She was in a quandary for some time over whether she ought to change for a drive and eventually did under her mother's instruction.

"I understand from Mr Andrews that the Viscount spends the majority of his time in the country. His family have a large property in Kent, Aubrey Hall is among the finest old homes in the country."

"Lovelier than Wicklesham, Mama?" Violet stated with a twinkle, naming their home estate.

"No indeed, my dear. But I understand that is a fine old house with some of the finest woods in the country."

Violet left her mother to her reminiscences and quickly changed. She had only just entered the parlour once more when a rapping was heard upon the door and the Viscount was announced.

"I was not sure whether you would maintain our engagement, given the weather," Violet said by way of greeting. "Some families who reside primarily in town would find such weather abominable and could not conceive of going out after such a morning of rain."

"My dear Miss Clympton, do you imagine me afraid of a little precipitation? I assure you that I am more than capable of driving through a park after a downpour. Of course, if you are happy to still proceed?"

She assured him that she was, and they had left the house the next moment. Lord Bridgerton had a pretty pair of matching greys that greatly took her fancy and before she knew it they were out of the square and already halfway to Richmond.

"Am I to take it that you are fond of the country then, Miss Clympton?" he asked, handling the horses with the care of one who seemed born in the saddle.

"I am very fond of it," she agreed, "I like to primarily spend my time at our estate in Sussex. Wicklesham is a beautiful Estate, I feel very lucky to have grown up there. My brothers and I have spent endless hours running through Papa's meadows. What of yourself, my lord? Mr Andrews told me that you are very fond of the country."

"Been checking up on me, have you?" he inquired. Violet was about to apologise when she saw the twinkle in his blue eyes and felt herself laughing.

"I declare, you and Frederick are a pair! He has been teasing me mercilessly this morning as well! You're lucky I have such experience with such things, my Lord Bridgerton, another young lady might be vastly offended!"

The Viscount grinned, unrepentant. "You forget that I have known Timothy and Katherine Andrews for a number of years, Miss Clympton. I was very well acquainted with your character through Katherine's remembrances before I had even met you."

Violet felt herself colouring, "I had no idea that I was so much spoken of in the Andrews home."

"I believe Timothy found you refreshingly uninterested in comparison to the usual parade of simpering misses," the Viscount replied. "He told me of your "safety dances" and I found the whole concept rather droll."

She found herself smiling, "Well I shall have to make it my greatest endeavour to surprise you, my lord."

He returned her smile with a warm grin of his own, "I look forward to it, Miss Clympton."

The remainder of their drive was easy and so comfortable that Violet was astonished by how quickly they passed through the wrought-iron gates of the park. The Viscount was so relaxed and easy to talk to that she found herself falling into a familiar pattern, lightly teasing, and amusing him as they drove.

They entered through the Kingston Gate and followed the road in an anti-clockwise direction. The Viscount seemed familiar with the park, pointing out the Isabella Plantation and the head keeper's cottage.

"What a thrill," she murmured, "To live in Richmond Park. It would be like living in the country and having all the benefits of the city on your doorstep."

"I've never been overly fond of town myself," the Viscount remarked, "My mother seldom ventures up. Our town house is rarely opened because of it. Harold and I are living in bachelor rooms on Bruton Street."

"Where is your family house in town?"

"A huge place on Grosvenor Square. It is all shrouded in dust sheets now I am afraid. It's been rather neglected in the past few years."

"Well, I hope it will live to see itself restored to a proper family home again one day," she replied without thinking.

The pause that followed went on rather longer than was comfortable and she found herself forced to look at him. His expression was hard to read – curiosity was strongest, but a question also lingered in his eyes, leaving her feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

"I hope so to," was his eventual reply.

The remainder of their drive was tranquil and enjoyable, though it lacked the teasing ease of the first half. Violet employed her time in seeking for a glimpse of the famous deer and was rewarded as they drove around the southern curve, spotting the herd in a distance copse of trees.

"They're so beautiful," she murmured, "I love deer. I do not think there is an animal with a shapelier form in existence. Their faces are so beautiful with their huge dark eyes."

The Viscount listened to her raptures quietly, he seemed deep in thought. "There's a large herd on my estate in Kent," he said, "The stags are a magnificent sight with their huge antlers."

Violet agreed. "I can understand why your mother prefers the country; one is so much more at ease in one's own neighbourhood away from prying eyes."

"Where one may go about one's business without arousing gossip?" Lord Bridgerton added.

She nodded absently. "It's certainly less exhausting."

He drove the horses out of the park and headed for home. Both were far more thoughtful as they approached her father's house.

It was only once they were within a mile that Violet roused herself, "Thank you for this outing, my lord, it has been a delight, truly. I wonder that I have not been to Richmond Park myself in many years. I believe that my brothers would enjoy an outing there."

"It was my pleasure," he replied, "I wonder, would you and your family care to join myself and the Andrews? We were thinking of travelling to Kew Gardens next week."

"What day?"

"Possibly Thursday? I shall write to confirm."

Violet smiled, "I am sure we shall be delighted to. Though I will need to check our calendar."

They were just around the corner from her home when a thought struck her, "Will you be attending the theatre tonight?"

The Viscount looked regretful, "I am afraid that I must travel to Aubrey Hall to see my mother for a few days. It was why I wished to take you for a drive today. I will be gone a week."

"Oh, we will miss seeing you at the Pembleton's Ball."

"And I shall regret losing the opportunity to dance with you there, but I have business at my estate that cannot be delayed."

She nodded, "Well we shall have Kew Gardens to look forward to."

Within a minute they were pulling up outside her father's home and Lord Bridgerton was offering his hand. He helped her carefully down from the carriage and slowed their walk as they approached her father's door.

"I wonder Miss Clympton," he began, "Might I …" She waited, wondering what on earth he was going to say. "Might I write to you when I am away?"

"Are you not only going for a week, my lord?" she queried.

He looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "Yes, but I should like to write to you, if I may?"

She smiled, "I would like that very much."

His answering smile was full of warmth and with his usual impeccable manners, he brought her to her father's house and took his leave.

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