Healing the Captain's Heart: A Clean Regency Romance (Resolved In Love Book 2) Read online

  Healing the Captain’s Heart

  Resolved In Love - Book 2

  Penny Fairbanks

  Copyright © 2019 by Penny Fairbanks

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

  Cover design by Victoria Cooper Art

  Created with Vellum

  For my parents and brother for always supporting my dreams.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Penny Fairbanks

  Chapter 1

  Violet tugged on the fabric, pulling it taut to encourage the buttons to meet their appropriate openings. Her face contorted in concentration, glad that her mistress faced away from her so as not to see her struggle.

  “Oh, drat it all,” Lady Neil moaned. “Another dress that will need altering. I had so hoped this one would still fit. I can’t believe how much I grow day by day.”

  “Never fear, my lady. We are just about...there!” Violet exclaimed with relief as the back of the dress finally closed. She bit her lip as she noticed how the delicate buttons strained against the increased tension.

  “My dear Violet, would you take this dress with you after breakfast and see what you can do to let it out?” Lady Neil sighed as she turned to face her maid, her chest heaving after the struggle to get her morning dress on. A hand rested on her belly, long elegant fingers drawing gentle swirls over the fabric.

  “Of course, my lady. But are you sure this will be comfortable for you? Is it not too snug?” Violet eyed the dress that hugged her mistress’s form. The fabric clung to her waist and cascaded over her round stomach. Violet had been in an endless cycle of altering Lady Neil’s dresses. The little one in her belly indeed grew larger with every passing day, making it difficult for Violet’s alterations to keep up.

  “Yes, this will do for now. You fret overmuch, Violet.” Lady Neil chuckled as she moved to her vanity, ready to begin her hair styling.

  “It is my duty to fret over you, my lady.” Violet smiled as she helped Lady Neil down onto the plush bench. “I’m happy to alter as many dresses as needed and assist in any way I can. I must confess that I am quite excited to welcome this new member to the family.”

  “Goodness!” Lady Neil jumped in her seat, a hand patting her stomach. “It seems my child is anxious to make your acquaintance as well. I think he or she just said hello.”

  Violet giggled as she pulled Lady Neil’s long honey-blonde hair over her shoulder, threading her fingers through the soft strands to prepare it for brushing. “I hope it did not hurt you too much, but it must be a good sign that the little one is happy and healthy.”

  “If a tad rambunctious.” Lady Neil smiled at her reflection in the mirror, her blue eyes melting into a gentle excitement.

  Violet smiled as well, pondering what this tiny life would be like after entering the world, and who it would become over the years. Her eyes flicked down to her own stomach, flat beneath her dark gray dress. For a fleeting moment she wondered what a kick from within her own body would feel like.

  “Not sure which of the latest fashionable styles for expectant mothers to try out?” Lady Neil asked. Violet’s attention snapped back to the mirror and she met the reflection of her mistress’s eyes. They were patient and understanding, just as they had always been since Violet’s very first day as Lady Neil’s maid—or rather Miss Richards at the time.

  Violet saw a hint of pink flicker over her cheeks in the mirror and she swallowed her foolish thoughts back down. She had no business thinking about childbearing save for how it affected her mistress.

  “Yes, my lady. Your hair is so lovely and there are so many ways to arrange it. Your curls catch the light perfectly, like when the sun’s rays sparkle off still water.” Violet hoped to distract her mistress from her sudden embarrassment with a compliment, but Violet certainly did not lie in what she said. Lady Neil carried every aspect of grace, elegance, and beauty in her physical appearance as well as her temperament.

  “Good Heaven, Violet.” This time Lady Neil blushed and covered her wide smile with her hand. “I swear that silver tongue of yours could turn even the sourest curmudgeon into a sweet smiling cherub.”

  “I only speak the truth, my lady.” Violet busied herself with the hairbrush, pulling it gently through Lady Neil’s thick hair and avoiding her eyes in the mirror.

  “And have you been transferring that silver tongue to a pen?” Lady Neil prodded, her lilting voice threaded with curiosity.

  “O-Oh.... I confess I have not. I really have no need of it. Nothing I say or think is uncommon enough to be recorded on paper. Besides, hobbies such as that are the least of my concerns when there is work to be done in the house,” Violet mumbled as she narrowed her eyes to sharpen her focus on the task at hand and hopefully put this line of questioning to an end.

  While Violet always appreciated Lady Neil’s many praises, she couldn’t help feeling that they were far too generous for a woman of her station and history. Having become a scullery maid in her childhood and eventually becoming a lady’s maid to her mistress, Violet had had little time to sharpen any talents of her own.

  Pretty turns of phrase came easily to her, but she’d never considered putting them on paper until Lady Neil began suggesting it some months ago. But try as Violet might, any attempts to write her poetic thoughts in her journal felt foolish and fraudulent. Lord Neil was the writer of the household and a very talented one at that from what Violet had glimpsed. Not someone like her.

  Lady Neil uttered a heavy sigh, her shoulders lifting and dropping with a touch of drama. “Now, now, my dear Violet. You know I do not tolerate such self-deprecating speech in my presence.”

  “Forgive me, my lady.” Violet nodded solemnly. She so hated to disappoint her mistress but Violet knew such compliments did not belong to her.

  The baroness smiled softly into the mirror as she took in Violet’s face, her brows furrowed and eyes narrowed in concentration.

  “There is nothing to apologize for. But I do wish you would give the idea more consideration. The bits and pieces I’ve managed to convince you to show me are very promising.”

  “I greatly appreciate your confidence in me, but even if I did have any hope of developing a true skill for poetry I’m afraid I simply don’t have the time.” As if to emphasize her point, Violet began working Lady Neil’s hair into a complex style.

  “You try to escape it but I won’t make it so easy on you,” Lady Neil responded slyly. Violet glanced up in alarm at the mirror to see a mischievous twinkle in her mistress’s eyes.

  “Whatever can you mean, my lady?” Violet asked, trying to keep her voice carefree despite the dread seeping into
her stomach.

  “I know this is highly unusual, but you’ve proven yourself as my confidante in addition to your excellent work.”

  “Thank you, my lady. I’m pleased to hear that I’ve satisfied you.” Violet felt herself soften at Lady Neil’s words.

  “You’ve done far more than that, Violet. In fact, you’ve been a friend to me in our time together. Which is why I care about your happiness. I know most mistresses would not go this far for a servant, but I think you are such an uncommonly wonderful young woman above all else. I think you can be spared for a few hours a week to work on your craft.” Lady Neil finished with a firmness in her voice that gave Violet pause for a moment, but she knew she must insist otherwise.

  “I greatly appreciate your offer, my lady, I truly do. But it is really too generous. Even just a few hours a week is time that can be spent mending or cleaning or shopping for your needs. It may be my duty but I am honored to do it. I need nothing else in life.”

  Violet smiled at Lady Neil’s reflection, forcing the muscles in her face to emulate contentment. Of course, she was content in many ways. Finding a position with the Richards family had been a miracle in Violet’s otherwise tragic childhood. And becoming Lady Neil’s personal maid at the age of sixteen had been a dream come true. Violet had finally achieved the security she’d always craved.

  She could not deny that she did indeed love poetry. But it was not her place to indulge her interests. Not when her mistress needed her. Violet could not risk losing this blessing.

  But beyond that, Violet cared deeply for the family she served. She had been overjoyed to follow Lady Neil when she married the baron. Even better, during her time in the baron’s London home as well as the country estate, Gatherford Park, Violet had grown quite fond of him as well.

  Violet looked up at the mirror when Lady Neil failed to respond. Her heart thumped as she realized that she may have offended her mistress by so ardently refusing her kindness. But Lady Neil did not return her gaze through the looking glass. Her eyes were lowered, sweeping over the carefully organized items on the vanity, but without seeing them.

  Violet’s hands stilled. She stepped to Lady Neil’s side and peered into her face. “My lady? Are you well? Have I upset you?”

  A small frown overtook the baroness’s troubled expression. Though Violet always stayed within boundaries—at least the boundaries unique to her relationship with Lady Neil—the desire to reach out and offer a comforting touch sometimes overtook her, as it did at this moment. But she kept her hands at her sides as was proper.

  “Of course you haven’t upset me. Not directly at least. I just hope you don’t feel that something is missing from your life, especially something that would be in my power to give. Perhaps I have grown particularly sentimental of late.” Lady Neil smiled ruefully at Violet as she rubbed her stomach.

  “As you wish, my lady.” Violet smiled back, forcing her apprehension down. “If you see fit to allow me time to write, I shall gladly accept. So long as you are certain I can be spared without any ill effect.” She hastily added, reminding Lady Neil once again that Violet still saw her duties as a maid to be of the highest priority.

  Lady Neil beamed up at Violet, her smile lighting up her pretty face. “I hope you will start tonight then. If you get my night routine started, I’m sure His Lordship will be able to help me finish getting ready for bed.”

  Violet nodded her agreement and resumed her place behind her mistress, taking her hair in hand once again.

  Just as Violet settled into her task of perfecting Lady Neil’s hair, a rapid heavy knock at the door caused both women to jump. They exchanged curious glances in the looking glass before Lady Neil called the unexpected visitor to enter.

  “Darling, what are you doing here?” Lady Neil asked as she stood from the vanity and crossed the room to greet her husband, who waited uncomfortably by the door. His eyes darted about the dressing room and he smiled apologetically at his wife.

  Violet turned her back to the couple to hide her smile. Lord Neil must have been one of the shyest men she’d ever met. In fact, she wondered for quite some time if he disliked her for some reason when she and Lady Neil joined his household.

  His serious face with its broad features and his sweeping dark hair could certainly be intimidating to those who did not know better. But Mrs. Baird, the baron’s sweet and motherly housekeeper, assured Violet that Lord Neil simply took some warming up with new people.

  Now, she found Lord Neil’s occasional awkwardness to be endearing. Violet turned back around and knew he must feel as though he’d interrupted the ladies in their highly important morning toilette. She had also never met a man more dedicated to his wife’s happiness and comfort.

  “I apologize for intruding.” Lord Neil coughed.

  “My dear, how many times do I have to tell you? Your presence is never an intrusion, even here.” Lady Neil laughed as she waved a hand over the spacious dressing room.

  The baron’s eyes softened as he took in his wife’s face and then her round belly. “I know, Cecilia. But I hate to disturb you during your rigorous preparations. Surely I would only get in the way.”

  Violet returned her eyes to the floor as her master and mistress shared a brief kiss. Her heart lurched, reminding her briefly of her longing to feel such a connection.

  “But tell me, Henry, what brings you here? Are you curious to see how your wife’s head manages to hold all these curls? It is quite a process to behold.”

  “I am certain it is and I do promise to sit it on the masterpiece in progress soon.” Lord Neil chuckled.

  “That masterpiece is all thanks to Violet. I have very little to do with it, truly. Aside from providing the hair.” Lady Neil smiled back to Violet with pride.

  Violet almost smiled back, but the way Lord Neil’s face fell back to its uncomfortable expression brought the corners of her mouth back down just as rapidly. His eyes met hers for a moment before darting away.

  “As a matter of fact, I’ve come here because there is a visitor downstairs who’s just arrived...” Lord Neil’s hands opened and closed quickly several times. Violet had never seen him so flustered. And the sudden shallow beating of her heart indicated that it had something to do with her. But she could not fathom in what way.

  Lady Neil pressed a hand to her cheek. “My goodness. Who would call upon us at this hour? It is far too early for morning calls. We haven’t even sat down to breakfast yet.” Her eyes were round with surprise and Violet could see her quick mind working its way toward an explanation.

  Violet’s apprehension only increased as Lord Neil continued to fidget. He refused to meet his wife’s eyes.

  “Henry?” Lady Neil brought her hand to her husband’s arm, her brows drawing closer together with concern. “Let it out now. Who’s come to visit? Oh no.... Is it something to do with Juliet?” Her voice fell to a whisper and she stepped closer to her husband.

  Violet saw Lady Neil tense as she mentioned her younger sister. Though Violet did not know the particulars of the situation, she was well aware that the youngest Richards daughter had fallen out of favor with their parents, causing Lady Neil much anxiety.

  Lord Neil shook his head quickly. “No, no. As far as I know all is well with Juliet for now. Actually...the visitor has requested an audience with Violet.”

  The lord and lady both looked to Violet slowly, Lord Neil with unease and Lady Neil with confusion.

  “Violet, were you expecting someone?” the baroness asked, her head titled slightly to the side, her half-finished curls dangling down her neck and around her face.

  Violet barely heard the question. She could only stare back at her master and mistress with equal bewilderment. A heavy sense of dread flooded Violet’s body as her mind bounced through numerous possibilities, none of which seemed more likely than the other.

  The only thing she seemed to know instinctively, without a doubt, was that her past must have finally found her and sought to disturb her peace. Sh
e just did not know how yet.

  “No, my lady. I’m not sure who might wish to speak with me or why,” Violet answered, her voice trembling with her nerves.

  “Did this visitor give their identity or state the reason for their visit?” Lady Neil turned back to her husband, her normally confident and easy manner shaken by the highly unusual circumstances.

  “I’m afraid not. He only said that he needed to speak with Violet. Urgently.”

  The baroness walked across the room, her dress flowing gracefully despite her determined air. She stood before Violet and took the maid’s small hands in her own. Normally Violet would have started at such a friendly physical touch, but her world had become far too unusual in the span of a few minutes to register the action as being too familiar even for her closeness with Lady Neil.

  “If you do not wish to see this visitor, whoever they may be, you do not have to. Say the word and we will have them shown back out the door.”

  The seriousness of the lady’s voice brought Violet back to attention. She started at Lady Neil for a moment, reading the genuine concern in her face.

  “That’s quite alright, my lady. I should see who has come all this way to find me. But first, let me finish your hair. We’re nearly done.”

  To Violet’s great relief, Lady Neil did not argue. She simply nodded to the baron, who quickly left the room to relay the message, and sat back at her vanity.

  Violet was grateful for a few extra minutes to gather her wits about her and steel herself to face whoever might be waiting downstairs.

  She could not guess who might seek her out in the country, especially not in the middle of winter. But she could feel in her bones that her life was about to change. For better or worse, she would have to find out for herself.