A knock at the door startled her out of those thoughts and sent her leaping to her feet. She looked in alarm at the earl, who had also risen. There was no way to excuse his presence in her private room.
Without a word, he pointed at her bedroom, brows raised. Viola gave a quick nod, ignoring her conscience, and he stepped quietly inside, closing the door behind him. Straightening her shoulders, Viola went to the main door and opened it.
Alexandra stood there. Her eyes were a little wet, but she managed a smile. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” Viola stepped aside and followed her to the tiny sofa.
“Mama said I must apologize to you,” the girl began. “I put you in a very bad spot, and betrayed your trust. Mama was terribly upset that I took advantage of your distraction to steal away, when she’s been so sick and you’ve had to do so much more than usual.” She sucked in a deep breath. “But I want to apologize for myself. I know it was wrong, and even though nothing very improper happened, I’m sorry I did it. As soon as I saw your expression, I felt so stupid.” She pleated her skirt, her whole figure drooping. “I hope you don’t think less of me.”
“Of course I don’t.” She clasped Alexandra’s hand. “I understand exactly—what’s more, I agree that it isn’t fair a mere kiss should be judged so harshly. But I don’t make the rules, and I would hate it more if you suffered. I may not be your sister—or your brother—able to protect you in other ways, but you are very dear to me, Alexandra.”
Alexandra gave her a grateful smile. “As are you to us, Viola. I told Mama several times it was not your fault, and she agreed it was all mine.” She made a slight grimace. “Jane always says her mother would sack a companion who allowed her to get into trouble, but I won’t let Cleo think ill of you. I don’t want you to go, and I shall try very hard not to put you in that position again.” She paused. “What you said, outside Mama’s door . . . Thank you. I had been feeling rather put out lately—everything has been Serena, Serena, Serena. I want her to be happy, I do . . . and I shall never forgive Frye for breaking her heart, never . . . but I was beginning to feel impatient with all the fuss over her. This whole party was arranged to cheer her up, and she doesn’t even seem sad to have lost Frye.” Her mouth quivered. “I shall try to be a better sister.”
Viola pulled her into a hug. “You are a good sister. What happened to Serena was dreadful, but she shall survive it—as shall you survive this little to-do.” Alexandra smiled. Viola squeezed her hand. “I fear we’re all going a bit mad, trapped inside by all the snow. Who knew it could snow so much in Dorset? I’ve never seen the like . . .”
Alexandra laughed at last. “Nor I.” She got up. “Mama said she doesn’t want to make a fuss over a kiss—as long as I have learnt my lesson. I shall keep Lord Newton at a distance and be more conscious of my actions.”
“Very good. That’s all any of us can do.” Viola walked her to the door. “Good night, Alexandra.”
“Good night.” Alexandra left, and Viola closed the door, feeling vastly relieved. If Alexandra escaped this with nothing worse than a scolding and chastened spirits, all would be well.
She had not forgotten that the Earl of Winterton was in her bedroom. He must have heard her conversation with Alexandra, and his mind must be at ease about his nephew. If the dowager duchess saw no reason for upset, there would be no need to tell the duke. That would put her own mind at ease, of course; if she didn’t lose her position at Kingstag, there would be no need for her even to think about Winterton’s offer, and what it might lead to, and why he’d said he wanted to propose it to her very much.
She opened the door and paused. It was a small room, barely big enough for the bed and a washstand, with a clothes cupboard in one wall. Consequently, Lord Winterton had stretched out atop her bed, his long legs crossed, his arms folded behind his head. There hadn’t been a man in her bed since James died two years ago. The sight sent a shock of desire through her, hot and so powerful she had to cling to the doorknob to keep herself steady.
“She’s gone,” she said, shocked by the low husky quality of her voice.
He sat up and swung his feet to the floor. “I heard. All will be well?”
He was relieved the duke wouldn’t thrash his nephew. “It seems so.”
Winterton nodded. He still sat on her bed, far too big and masculine for her widow’s room. Viola was trying without much success to stifle the wicked thoughts drifting through her mind like snow, a veritable blizzard of sinful images threatening to swamp her composure. She shouldn’t have drunk that port; it had shot her good sense to flinders.
“Then you won’t be sacked,” said the earl.
Viola cleared her throat. She hadn’t even been thinking of that. “I feel less anxious on that score.”
He smiled again, that roguish grin that made her heart skip beats and her mind go blank. “And vastly relieved you shan’t have to address what I said earlier.”
She was too distracted
