Thank goodness for Violet, who could always be counted upon to do everything right and venture out into the world on all their behalf. Clem was not certain what any of them do without her.
“He didn’t do it, you know.”
“Do what?” Violet asked.
“Aid in Basil’s drunkenness.” Clem rubbed the end of her nose as it tingled. “He apologized for not taking steps to prevent his actions, though.” She gave a light laugh. “Silly man probably blames himself as much as we blame him.”
“I did wonder after dinner at the Pump Room. He hardly seems the sort to encourage such behavior.”
“I should have known really.”
“But what does that have to do with you two falling out?”
“Nothing really.” Clem tilted her head slightly backward to meet her sister’s gaze. “We fell out over the letter.”
“OhThe Letter—the one that bastard of a man tried to harm you over.”
“You should not say the B word, Violet.”
Her sister ignored the scolding. “You know, when a man saves your life, you do not usually chase them off, Clem. I still need to thank him.” Violet pressed her lips together. “That, or throttle Mr. Jones.”
“I think a bloodied nose from Roman was quite enough. The man has sloped off to Scotland or Ireland or something. Whatever Roman threatened, it scared the fool witless.”
Violet’s expression hardened. “I think Roman and I are in agreement that if either of us see him in Bath again, he shall have more to worry about than a broken nose.”
“At least he has ceased his actions against Lady Mary Jones. Her funds should be released any time soon and she shall not have to move in with Roman.”
“And that lovely house can be properly looked after.”
Clem nodded. “Yes. All worked out quite well after Mr. Jones revealed himself.”
“And yet you and Roman could not come to an agreement over the letter.”
“It’s more than that.” Clem inhaled deeply and held the breath in her lungs for a few moments in a bid to stop the ache that persisted in her chest. It didn’t work and she exhaled slowly. “The letter…it spoke of this great love between two people. They were willing to die to be together.”
Violet sighed. “Us Musgraves do have such romantic souls, really.”
“Roman could see nothing in the letter but a breaking of the rules. He’s ashamed of them.”
“What his ancestors did changed everything for his family. It’s easy to judge when we sit here, comfortable in our homes with our father and brother to look after us.”
Clem narrowed her gaze at her sister. “You are taking Roman’s side?”
“No, but we do not know what his family have been through—what trauma the actions of those two people might have wrought.” She gave a little shrug. “I do not think we should judge him too harshly.”
“Can you not go back to being my commanding older sister and cease being so sage and calm?”
“Do you want me to spout anger at the man?”
“Maybe,” Clem muttered.
“It seems to me you two need to talk properly, without this letter business between you.”
Clem lifted a hand. “And there you go, being all wise again.”
“I am older than you.”
“By only two years!”