4. Chapter Four

Kairos

Chapter Four

When one is in emotional turmoil, it is always difficult to decide upon the surest and best path down which to proceed. Violet had now declared that she was and was not coming on the Kew Gardens excursion four separate times. Lady Clympton was growing decidedly fed up with her daughter's contrary choices and demanded that she made a final decision before their departure time of 10 o'clock.

It was currently 9.30 and the family had just finished breakfast. Violet was trying (and failing) to unpick an area of her embroidery that she had done wrong the previous night. Fredrick Clympton was thoroughly enjoying the whole show. He had never seen his older sister so rattled and meant to take full advantage of her disordered mind.

"Look on the bright side, oh sister dear," he commented.

Violet looked up, "What is that, oh my idiotic brother?"

"If you don't come, we'll be free from your perpetual sighs of a broken heart," he teased, displaying another perfect graceful faint upon the sofa complete with a hand resting theatrically upon the forehead (he had been perfecting his craft to annoy her as much as possible). His sister's reaction was instantaneous and all that he had hoped. Violet chased him around the parlour, much to the amusement of their younger brothers and father. Her mother was less than impressed.

"Edward!" she exclaimed, motioning to her two eldest children, one of whom was using an embroidery frame as a weapon and the other of whom was currently using a chair as a shield.

Lord Clympton forced himself to be serious and cleared his throat. "Violet, put it down. Frederick, apologise to your sister."

His eldest child reluctantly dropped her sewing frame but not before plonking herself rather inelegantly down on her sofa. His second born righted the chair and seated himself upon it with an unapologetic grin. His father gave him a look that spoke volumes and he had the good grace to look a tiny bit contrite.

"I am sorry Vi," he admitted, "I truly didn't mean it, but it was too good an opportunity to miss and don't you feel better after that chase?"

His sister glared at him for a full minute before she allowed herself a small smile and rose. She moved gracefully towards the door, but not before she had swatted her brother around the head.

"Where are you going, my dear?" her mother asked.

"To change for our outing, Mama," came the reply through the doorway, (Violet was already halfway up the stairs). "I think it would be best if I attend."

It wasn't until she was definitely out of ear shot that Lady Clympton added, "I'm glad you convinced her Frederick, but was it truly necessary to rile her so much?"

Her eldest son laughed, "It's good for her, Mama. She has become far too angsty of late, she needs to cheer up and stop acting as though it's the end of the world. Violet needs to re-find the "unflappability" you often talk about. Besides, it was funny."

Both his brothers started sniggering and though she pretended to bend severely over her embroidery, the corner of Lady Clympton's mouth rose ever so slightly.

0 0 0

Though she was no gardener, even Violet found herself overwhelmed by the beauty of Kew. With it being April, the place was a glory of daffodils, crocuses, and a few enterprising blue bells. The Clymptons had arrived exactly at 10 o'clock and with the Andrews not yet being in sight, Violet and her mother had decided to walk towards a carefully cultivated meadow which was a glory of wildflowers.

Lady Clympton was a keen gardener and quickly started telling her daughter about the various flowers that were native to Britain. Violet listened patiently, not overly fascinated but knowing that her mother adored Kew and would take special pleasure from this trip.

"We must purchase you some seeds and bulbs for the meadows and gardens at Wicklesham, Mama," she agreed. "Though I doubt it will look as glorious as here."

"It would be lovely to develop a couple of flower meadows," her mother agreed, "We could ask Charling (meaning the head gardener) to develop the eastern paddocks, can you imagine it next Spring?"

"But what will Jones (the head groom) make of losing two of his paddocks?" Violet asked.

"No doubt what my mother's head groom said when she wished to turn his grazing field into her new rose garden," added a voice. "That he would find an alternative." They both turned to see the Viscount Bridgerton standing before them. He had the same smile, though Violet did notice that it seemed slightly forced. She turned so that her mother was standing next to him and moved slightly away so that they could discuss gardens.

"And how did your mother phrase it without offending the gardener, Lord Bridgerton?" Lady Clympton enquired.

"By offering him a suitable alternative," he replied, "Always have a plan of attack, my lady." Violet could hear the smile in her mother's voice as they continued their conversation.

She turned and saw that the Andrews had arrived. Katherine and Timothy had brought their mother, Mrs Andrews, a great heiress in her youth who had "lowered herself" to marry a mere lord. She was a woman renowned for her strong and firm opinions. Violet was a great favourite with her and they got on famously.

"I'm so pleased that Katherine and Timothy persuaded you to come, Mrs Andrews," she stated happily, moving over to kiss the wrinkled cheek.

She received a knowing smile. "Well, I knew that your mind would be more focussed upon exercise than flowers and I haven't seen your dear Mama in an age, my dear. How are you?"

Violet smiled, "Very well, I thank you."

Lady Clympton and the Viscount then walked up, and Violet made sure to remain firmly by Katherine's side. Her friend was looking very fetching that day and she told her so.

Miss Andrews merely laughed and tucked her arm through her friends, "Have you finished giving him the cold shoulder yet?"

Violet feigned ignorance and took her friend over to admire the meadow. "Mama plans to turn two of our paddocks into flower meadows," she commented. "I think it will be beautiful."

"Are paddocks not essential for a horse's recuperation after illness?" Katherine observed.

"Yes, but Mama is going to suggest an alternate location," Violet pressed on.

"Do you really wish to speak of your mother's plans for the garden?"

"I simply wish to be happy and men who cause me emotional tennis are not welcome in my life."

Her friend laughed, "Emotional tennis?"

Violet shrugged, "If he is going to start throwing balls at me and expecting me to hit them back, I cannot say that it is a friendship that I wish to maintain. I feel as though he is entangling me in a game I do not wish to play."

Katherine was silently considering her friend's words until Fredrick approached with Geoffrey and Benjamin in tow like two eager puppies.

"What path do you ladies intend to take?" he asked, "Mama and Mrs Andrews wish to remain and discuss plant samples. The rest of us are eager to explore the gardens. Papa is coming, as are Timothy and Lord Bridgerton."

Though her heart misgave her, Violet knew that she would be bored stiff with her mother and Mrs Andrews. She saw the same notion in Katherine's eyes.

"We'll join you, though expect a more sedate pace," she replied.

As they approached the group, Katherine turned to her friend quickly, "Just, see how things go, my friend," she advised, "Give him the opportunity to explain himself. I know the Viscount is a good man."

Katherine then headed off to join her brother and Frederick, both of whom were in the process of challenging the younger boys to a scavenger hunt competition.

"What are the rules?" Geoffrey asked eagerly.

"You must find the best example of a long list of things," their father replied, "We shall have to form teams."

"Four teams of two?" Fourteen-year-old Benjamin pressed.

"I want to be with Father!" Geoffrey immediately piped up.

Lord Clympton laughed, "Why don't I go with you Geoffrey and Frederick and Benjamin make a team?"

The two younger boys quickly agreed and went off to harry their mother and Mrs Andrews about what they would be searching for. That left Timothy, Katherine, Violet and the Viscount standing in an uncomfortable quartet.

"I wish to go with Timothy," Katherine declared, "He's excellent at finding things." Violet felt her heart leap into her throat.

"Don't you wish to have safety in feminine numbers?" Timothy suggested.

"Where's the fun in that?" Katherine persisted, "We'd win for certain and you'd be left in the dust."

"Well, if Miss Clympton and the Viscount don't mind …" Timothy began. Violet was looking anywhere but at her companions, she felt herself flushing and wanted to escape.

"What are your thoughts, Miss Clympton?" Lord Bridgerton asked. She forced herself to raise her eyes and saw the question in his.

"What are your lordship's thoughts?" she deflected.

He tried a small smile, "It would be a great pleasure to crush the Andrews' dreams of winning."

Violet found a smile threatening to escape at his words and simply nodded. He strode off with obvious relief to tell her father and brother and she rounded on Katherine.

"How could you go that Katherine?"

"You'll be able to discern your feelings far more clearly ..?"

"Or spend the entire hour in mortified silence!"

"Either way it'll be a memorable hour." Violet was about to say a great deal more when her father called them over.

"All right!" Lord Clympton said, "We have four teams – me and Geoffrey, Frederick and Benjamin, Miss and Mr Andrews and Violet and the Viscount. We all have exactly an hour to find the finest examples of these three things – the biggest fir cone, the roundest leaf, and the largest blue flower. We must be back here by the river at 11.30 and no later for my wife and Mrs Andrews to do the judging, agreed?"

They all nodded and turned to leave. All three Clympton boys took off at a sprint in different directions and the Andrews headed another way, leaving Violet and the Viscount to head in the fourth.

Violet headed off at a steady, determined pace, trying to decide upon the right thing to say. However, she did not have to finish the thought because the Viscount joined her the next moment and began.

"Miss Clympton, I do not blame you for seeking to avoid me this morning, I would have done the same thing. I must assure you that I hated myself after I sent that letter and wished it burnt the moment it had gone."

"Why suggest such a scheme in the first place, my lord, if you were to regret it the next moment? I received three notes from you that continued our established rapport. Why did you not write to explain if you so regretted your actions?"

"Because I am a far better communicator in person than on paper. I knew I would never find the right words to explain myself, so I wanted to speak to you."

He glanced around and motioned towards a side path that was leading off between some trees. After an initial hesitation, Violet followed him, she wished to know what he would say.

He was quick to begin, "I came to London last week to investigate my own feelings, to see whether I was ready to consider a serious attachment and possibly contemplate marriage. I was not expecting to enter my very first ballroom of the Season and see … you …" He paused, seeming to consider his words.

"I have ever been a practical person, Miss Clympton. I do not mince my words and the very notion of love at first sight was ridiculous to me. But then … I saw you and I knew that I had to meet you … to see whether we had a …"

"Connection?" It was the first time she had spoken, and it was a relief to speak her mind. The Viscount nodded.

"I also did not believe it such things," Violet agreed, "I am a fortunate young woman in that my mother saw no need to rush me into a marriage. This was my second season and I had settled into a happy routine. I was very content in my place as a wallflower. I was happy as I was, until I saw you." Unable to find the words, she let her voice peter off.

Lord Bridgerton was struck by this new information, "You also noticed me?"

She forced herself to meet his eyes and nodded. "I couldn't look away from your smile. You were speaking with Timothy and he made you laugh … I'd never been so struck by a smile before …" She looked down in embarrassment, but if she had maintained eye contact, she would have seen how well heartfelt delight became his handsome features.

They moved on quietly for a few moments, both digesting their shared revelations. Violet was a flurry of emotions – embarrassment, confusion and a slight spark that had not been there for a few days … a spark of hope.

"You must wonder, after such a beginning that I could even fathom sending you such a letter," his words cut off at his disgust at the memory. "You see, after I met you and we developed such an easy and friendly rapport, I was fully determined to continue. I became carried away with my feelings and then I returned to Aubury Park …"

"I surmised that your enthusiasm had frightened your mother," Violet suggested.

"That is partly the truth," he admitted, "But the starting point was facing the reality of marriage." He stopped and made her face him. "It isn't normal for me to be run away with my feelings, Miss Clympton, but then I met you and everything just seemed so right and perfect."

"The truth of your feelings scared you?"

"No, not scared me." He was not willing to find fault with the feelings he felt for her, "I suppose the suddenness and intensity of them hit me. I grew worried that I was rushing you, that you might not feel the same depth of feeling and so quickly. I found myself second-guessing myself and wished to not overwhelm you."

Violet felt herself relaxing as his actions finally made sense.

"I thought you had regretted your warmth and enthusiasm at continuing our acquaintance," she admitted.

He sighed, "I thought you would have felt that way. That was why I was so eager to see you and explain myself."

"Might I recommend a compromise?"

"Gladly."

"I would suggest that we have a month's long courtship. During this time, we can get to know each other better and see if we are as compatible as we first thought. At the end of the month, we will share our thoughts and feelings and know how to proceed."

He smiled, "I was going to recommend such a scheme myself. Well, Miss Clympton, you have yourself a deal." She laughed at his wording and was pleased to see the teasing glint had returned to his blue eyes.

"Well, that leaves only one path left for us."

He was confused, "What is that?"

"To soundly thrash our opponents and win this scavenger hunt."

His responding smile was voracious in its competitiveness.

0 0 0

In the end, they were hard pressed to even find all the objects in their allotted time, let alone look for perfect examples. The circular leaves and blue flowers were easy enough to find, but the fir cones proved a rare thing indeed! In the end, Lord Bridgerton had to sprint to the nearest fir tree in the time given and they just about managed to return by the time limit.

The judging was fierce, and, in the end, Geoffrey and his father won by a very narrow margin (their fir cone was slightly larger than Benjamin and Frederick's flower). The resulting argument would no doubt have gone on for a long time if their father had not put his foot down and demanded that Benjamin was not a sore loser. The middle Clympton boy did this with a very bad grace and stomped off to attack a nearby tree before lunch.

Violet found herself entirely satisfied as she and Lord Bridgerton were declared in third place (they had actually found a fir cone whereas the Andrews had not) and thought that honour was restored. She was so satisfied that she slipped her arm through her friend's as they wandered over to the Thames where their servants had been setting up for lunch.

"Am I forgiven then?" Katherine enquired. Violet merely smiled at her and this was answer enough. "Did he explain the letter?"

Violet was quick to fill her friend in on their conversation and Katherine was not surprised, "I thought he'd got spooked!" she agreed, "I suppose that the reality of marriage slightly overwhelmed him."

"Yes, but now we are thankfully on the same page and are to have a month's courtship to see if we fit," Violet agreed. She looked over to see the Viscount in discussion with her father. "He can't be asking him now!" she exclaimed.

Katherine smiled, "I would not be surprised if that were entirely what he is doing. He's always been a man of action."

"But we're still on our outing!"

"There's no time like the present!"

In turned out that Katherine was right, as the Viscount turned around to give Violet a dazzling smile, before her father beckoned her over. Lord Clympton smiled gently at his daughter, removing any concerns she might have.

"Well, the Viscount is nothing if not efficient with his time," he remarked.

Violet felt herself colouring. "I did agree to the courtship Papa, in fact, it was my idea …"

Her father raised a hand, amused. "I know dearest, and the Viscount seems a very gentlemanlike man. He is from an excellent family. I also appreciate his determination to court you; it shows that he knows what he wants."

"We've agreed to become better acquainted. I wanted to take our time like you and Mama."

"Well, I give my consent. I have no objection to the match if he is the man you grow to love and value above all others. I would be delighted to have him join our family."

Violet felt a rush of joy flood her heart and reached up to kiss her father's cheek. He is turned gave her a swift hug. "I knew it would take a rare man to capture your heart, my Vi, but I always thought it would be a simple thing for you. You've always known what you wanted."

"Well, we'll see, Papa. No-one's mentioned marriage yet."

Her father's eyes twinkled, "I believe you won't last the proposed month."

With a laugh, Violet walked off to join her mother and though she could not directly share her joy with her in front of Mrs Andrews, she could tell that Lady Clympton knew, by her warm smile and a gentle squeeze of her hand.

An enjoyable luncheon then proceeded and all present praised Timothy and Katherine who had come up with the idea for the scheme. Violet sat quietly, enjoying the relaxed conversation, and amused by her youngest brother's endless teasing of Benjamin.

"I can't think why we don't come more often," Lady Clympton observed, "the gardens really are superb."

"Did you find many plants, Mama?" Katherine enquired.

Both mothers were swift in their praise and eager to discuss their purchases. Violet felt her attention waning when she caught another comment from Geoffrey about his and Papa's victory. His older brother was quick to warn him,

"Be careful Geoff, or you shall find that Ben takes it out against you on the cricket pitch this term."

The youngest Clympton pulled a face, "We're in entirely different years!" he scoffed, "It won't affect me at all."

"You think so?" Benjamin commented quietly, "I know the Under 13s cricket captain, I might be able to persuade Walter Ainsley that my younger brother is a rubbish bowler and have you thrown from the team."

Geoffrey sat up in alarm, "That's not fair!" he exclaimed, "Papa!"

Lord Clympton had no sympathy, "You reap what you sow Geoffrey. If you bait your brother, then you have to face the consequences of that choice."

Violet hid her smile behind her water glass and was just turning her attention back to her food when the Viscount sat next to her.

"They remind me of Harold and I when we were at Westminster."

She felt her smile widen, "Were you as bad?"

He pulled a face, "Far worse! Harold and I loathed each other until I returned from Cambridge. He had matured a bit and I had been somewhat flattened in the pride department. We rub along fairly well these days."

Violet was about to respond when she groaned. Lady Kendall, her daughter Felicity, and her friend the honourable Portia Braydon were approaching, mincing their way along the path.

The Viscount looked up curiously, "What is it?"

"One of the "Diamonds of the First Water"," Violet replied with a decided eye roll. "Miss Felicity Kendall. It was she who made me doubt what was between us."

Lord Bridgerton's expression darkened, "How?"

"At the Pembleton's ball. She came up and commented upon your sudden absence from society. She inferred that it was because you had not met with any "diverting enough new acquaintance" to keep you in town."

The Viscount's voice was decidedly cooler when he replied with a simple, "I see."

Of course, when the three ladies approached there was a dazzling smile on every face and a full, warm welcome from all.

"Lady Kendall!" Mrs Andrews welcomed, "Miss Kendall, Miss Braydon, what a lovely surprise, what brings you to Kew Gardens this fine day?"

"Oh, we often come to the gardens, Mrs Andrews," Lady Kendall replied cheerfully, "Felicity and I always adore a turn in the gardens, and we had to invite dear Miss Braydon to join us."

All eyes turned to Miss Portia Braydon, a buxom and pretty brunette who had the unfortunate habit of latching on to the newest "toast of the Ton", with the hope that she might share their success in the marriage mart. It was a strategy that had not really benefitted her last season.

"How are you, Miss Braydon? How is your dear Mama? I understand that she has just been confined?"

"She is very well I thank you, Lady Clympton," Miss Braydon replied, "We expect her to enter her confinement any day now. My stepfather is very eager to meet my newest brother or sister." (Her mother had remarried over a decade ago and had since produced a veritable clutch of stepsiblings for Miss Braydon who was previously an only child).

"May we be so bold as to make the acquaintance of your friend?" Miss Kendall asked, batting her eyes lashes in a most becoming manner.

Only those who knew Mrs Andrew well could see the slight tightening of her lips as she replied, "Of course, it would be my honour. Viscount Bridgerton of Aubrey Hall, may I present Lady Kendall, her daughter Miss Kendall and their particular friend, Miss Braydon." All the resulting curtseys were perfectly elegant and correct.

"How are you enjoying the Season, my lord?" Felicity Kendall asked in a breathy little voice that struck Violet as odd.

"Very much, Miss Kendall," he replied with perfect manners. "It is my first, so I am enjoying every new experience."

"Is it true that you just finished your European tour, my lord?" Portia Braydon added, her voice now just as breathy as her friend. There then followed a discussion of the Viscount's travels and Violet was so amused by the careful huskiness of ladies' voices that she quietly took Katherine aside to laugh with her.

"Do you think they practised it with care?" she whispered, unable to withhold a giggle.

"I wonder if they have a "breathiness scale", Katherine observed. "Where do they get these ideas?"

"I found Felicitiy's a little more convincing than poor Portia Braydon's," Violet commented

"Well, they've announced they're on the prowl so Bridgerton beware!"

They watched the Viscount's patient answering of their visitors' questions for another minute before something struck Violet. "How long have he and Timothy been friends?"

Katherine pondered, "Since they matriculated in their first year at Cambridge. Timothy had a big party of friends to Hayling Brook that summer. It amused me to develop various categories for his friends."

Violet was all ears, "Now you have to tell me the different friend types!"

Katherine smiled. "Well, first you have "the Runners". The ones who meet me and then realise (Gasp!) that I have reached the lofty age of 23 and am still single. They run away as soon as they may to avoid being tainted by my "spinsterishness"." Violet laughed merrily at this image.

"Who comes next?"

"Well, "the Rakes" are infinitely more palatable than "the Charmers". The Rakes at least take one look and snub me, then move on to find easier prey. The Charmers take time to try and make me fall in love with them to flatter their vanity. They're far more tiresome and onerous."

Violet giggled, "I've met both those types!"

Katherine actually smirked, "You wait until you're on your fifth season, my friend, you can spot them a mile away! Then we have the final two categories – the "Hopeless cases" and "the Chums". The Hopeless Cases are those poor boys who are forced into society by their Mamas and have not any social skills. They tend to apologise a lot, step on your feet during dances and talk about their horses and dogs." She glanced at Lord Bridgerton, "Then you meet that rarest of all groups, "The Chum", the rare man with whom you can have a proper friendship."

"Did you know pretty early on with the Viscount that he would be a "chum"?"

Katherine nodded, "From our first meeting. He reminded me so much of Timothy that I could not, not get on with him. It was why I knew that we were going to be good friends. Timothy told me about you and Mr Briggs having your "safety dances" and I knew we were cut from the same cloth."

Violet smiled, "I hope you know that I truly esteem him."

Miss Andrews nodded, "I know and in truth, I can't think of any courting pair I approve of more than you and the Viscount."

The two friends looked over as the three visitors started to rise.

"It was a pleasure to see you all and to meet you, your lordship," Lady Kendall said sweetly.

Lord Bridgerton bowed deeply and said the pleasant nothings that were expected. It was only once the ladies had properly left that he sat next to Violet with a scowl.

"I very rarely regret being so well brought up, but there are times when I wish I didn't have quite such good manners," he growled.

Violet regarded him curiously, "Oh? And why is that your lordship?"

His scowl softened as she saw the twinkle return to those remarkable eyes. "Then I would be able to tell young ladies who say cruel things to the lady I esteem that I have no desire at all to make their acquaintance."

Violet looked down, blushing slightly. It took her a moment to look back and when she did, a soft smile was playing about his lips.

"You might now say it, my lord. But knowing that you feel it is just as precious."

0 0 0

Author's note:

Thank you so much for the all the people reading this! There are a lot more people following and favouriting the story which is so encouraging! Special thanks to luvluvharrypotter for your kind review, I'm glad that you like where this is going, I'm really enjoying writing these two!

Next chapter is going to be a very interesting one!

Thanks again,

Breeze.