hi guys it's me i am sure you thought i fell off the face of the earth but no, i am still here.
i updated this a really long ago. So long that it's like borderline unacceptable! sorry sorry sorry
life for me has been good not great as of late so yeah this isn't the longest or most action packed chapter but i like it all the same.
ALSO there are so many new good stories here wow oh wow oh wow so much love and admiration and recommendations for everyone all around
anyways, feel free to read, follow, favorite, review, or reach out to me with feedback! (although i am bad about replying to people!)
enjoy :)
Violet had breakfast with Poppy that morning. Unlike Violet, Poppy was not an early riser and she was even groggy as Violet sat down at the table.
"Hello." She greeted Violet, sleepily.
"Hi" Violet replied.
"I like your dress." Poppy told her, eyeing the white dress with the little pink and blue flowers.
"I like yours too." Violet replied, sipping on the coffee that Poppy had already broken into. Poppy eyed the silky and puffy light yellow gown she herself was wearing.
"So what did you think of the ball last night?" Poppy asked, twisting a ringlet around her finger.
Violet's mind went to Jack, instantly.
"I liked it. You have really nice friends." Violet told her. Poppy arched a thin and dark brow.
"Those girls are hardly my friends and they aren't that nice, you don't have to lie." Violet was slightly irked by Poppy's straight-forwardness.
"Well then, I feel indifferent to them, if we're being honest." Violet said, trying to appease her.
Poppy smiled a slow smile. "Good. I enjoy the honesty. All honesty is good, actually." Violet was sure more than ever that Poppy knew about her and Jack on some level. Her heart started to pound a little.
"Yes honestly." Violet offered, weakly.
"So." Poppy began, her eyes peering at Violet over the flowers on the table.
"Last night was really fun." Violet offered.
"Yeah so who's the guy?" Poppy asked. Violet wanted to remain cool and non-chalant but she felt her cheeks pinking.
"What guy? There is no guy!" Violet exclaimed.
"There's totally a guy." Poppy replied. "Don't bother hiding it, I have a way of knowing these things."
Violet smirked, nervously. "What even makes you say there's a guy?"
"You are more quiet and dreamy than usual and you sigh, like, all the time."
"I do not sigh!" Violet exclaimed.
"You do!." Poppy told her. "So which is it? Do I know him? I'm sure I know him."
"You probably don't know him and it doesn't even matter because it means nothing." Violet deflected.
"Just say it!" Poppy prodded her leg under the table with the heel of her shoe. Violet took a deep breath.
"You can't say a word. Not to anyone." Poppy nodded enthusiastically.
"I won't."
"When I was at my grandfather's, the first day I got there, I went out to the garden and I meet a boy there."
Poppy leaned in quizzically. "Who was he?"
"I didn't know. He was very handsome and very charming." Violet chose her words carefully.
"Handsome and charming, I have to have met him at some party." Poppy mused.
"You haven't" Violet told her seriously. "He's my grandmother's carriage driver, but I think that he does more odd jobs for her."
"But he's the help? Psh, we have all been there. I once I had a crush on this very handsome Spanish gardener we had but he didn't stay long, apparently he was illegal or something." Poppy told her.
"I don't think this is like that." Violet sighed sadly.
"Well have you seen him any other times since that one?" Poppy wanted to know.
"Yes, that's where I was at the ball. I went into the garden by mistake and he was there again! We kissed that time but I don't even know why or if it meant anything so really I don't know why I still think about it."
"Well I wouldn't expect this from you! I'm impressed!" Poppy applauded her.
"It's pathetic!" Violet whined.
"It's not so bad, maybe a fling with an American guy is just what you need!" Poppy offered, trying to cheer her up.
"I don't really have flings." Violet told her.
"That's a shame, I feel as if I've had one every place we've vacationed." Poppy replied.
"And besides, when I'm with him it feels like more than that, you know?" Violet asked.
"Not reall y." Poppy faltered.
"Like I know what it feels like when you don't really like someone, or you find a man mildly interesting and you know you are really just kidding yourself." Violet started.
"I know that feeling." Poppy agreed.
"And with Jack, it's nothing like that." Violet finished, kind of wishing it was like that.
"Maybe it's just an infatuation, a crush, a quick passion." Poppy offered.
"I wish I believed that to be the case." Violet said, glumly.
"Because it's not like there is any chance of a future there." Poppy was taking food off Violet's plate.
"I suppose there isn't." Violet sighed again and Poppy took her hand.
"Look Violet, I'm sure he's great and all but honestly, you're you. A society girl. Your parents are going to make sure you marry well and soon we'll have big houses like our mothers." Poppy told her with her usual straightforwardness.
"Maybe they could understand, I mean they married for love." Violet suggested, lightly.
"It doesn't even matter." Poppy said dismissively. "This isn't serious, you don't love him, don't worry about these things and hopefully they will solve themselves."
"Hopefully." Violet replied, sipping what was left of her beverage. Deep down, she felt fear in her stomach. She did not want to love Jack.
At that moment, her mother knocked lightly on the side of the French doors.
"Violet, darling? Don't forget we have dinner tonight with Lady Bluebury, I'm just reminding you."
"Thanks mum." Violet told Juliet. As Juliet walked away, she saw Poppy eyeing her with a glimmer in her eye.
"Your grandmother is having a dinner? Is this dinner by chance in her home?" Poppy said with a magenta smile.
"Yes, it's at her house-"
"Which is where Jack will be tonight! I see you failed to mention that in your little story!" Poppy whisper-shouted.
"Poppy!" Violet exclaimed. "I don't even know if he's going to be there or if I'll have the nerve to steal away and talk to him. Chances are, he's out with some other girl, maybe a maid or something. It's not a big deal."
"Not a big deal. Sure, whatever you say." Poppy said, leaning back in her chair.
"It's not! It's just dinner!" Violet replied still smiling.
"Well regardless, you need a new dress!" Poppy told her.
"I have plenty of dresses." Violet responded.
"Well then, I need a new dress just because. Won't you just come to the store? Maybe something will catch your eye." Poppy said, although it was more of an order than an invitation.
"I'll come along." Violet obliged.
"Yay!" Poppy smiled, happy that she had gotten her way as she was used to.
They finished their food and hurried out to the many shops that the city had to offer.
Nanette was planning to be out all day during errands and visting a friend who needed her charity. Juliet and Gnomeo were left alone for the day.
"We should do something." Juliet told him, leaning back in a casual chair. Gnomeo put his arms around her neck from behind the chair and gently kissed her neck.
"I know something we can do, or rather something I can do." He whispered, seductively.
"Not what I meant, but not a bad idea." Juliet said, smiling and closing her eyes.
About an hour later, they were lying in bed, breathless and staring at the ceiling.
"What now?" Gnomeo asked her, turning over.
"I could stay here all day!" Juliet told him.
"We should do something while we have the chance! Who knows if we will even get another day, just the two of us." Gnomeo said, persuasively.
"Good point." Juliet agreed, sitting up and letting the sheets pool around her. "What were you thinking, exactly?"
"Oh I dunno, maybe we could try and visit the old Lawerence place? It seems only fitting since we're here and all." Gnomeo suggested. Juliet leaned over and kissed his rough cheek.
"That sounds perfect." She replied.
Soon, they were on their way to the house. Gnomeo's hair blew in the breeze and his white shirt strained against his chest. Juliet held a basket with the few snacks that Nanette had in the pantry. They'd also snagged a bottle of champagne and it was still cold against her breezy sundress. The house came into view and Juliet could just see the tallest tower over the lush grove that was the land and property.
"Do you think anyone would mind that we're here? I have no idea who Featherstone sold the place to." Juliet asked Gnomeo as he helped her out of the car.
"It's early summer. Chances are it's someone who goes to a beachouse or the Hamptons for the summer." Gnomeo replied.
"Who knows, " He told her. "If the gate doesn't open, we may have to climb the fence." He was smiling and Juliet didn't even have a chance to say something witty because the gate pushed open.
"After you." He said, ushering her through.
"We're officially trespassing on someone else's property!" Juliet exclaimed with a mischievous smile as he gently closed the gate.
"This place really feels like ours though." Gnomeo said, as they walked.
"It does." Juliet agreed. "A lot happened here." As she gazed on the land, she noticed that it hadn't really changed. It was older and maybe a little more cared for, but not much. It reaffirmed something that she already believed: Places and things don't change, but people do. Had she changed since she had been here last? Her father's home had not changed very much and she was even assuming that her old bedroom had remained remarkably untouched since the night before her wedding, which was the last time Juliet had inhabited it. But Juliet as a person, felt she had changed. Falling in love and losing everything and finding it again and rebuilding her life had perhaps rebuilt a newer and smarter woman. But as she walked with Gnomeo in the sun-kissed grove, she felt like she was nineteen again and she wondered that maybe deep down, that same girl had never left.
"What are you thinking about?" Gnomeo asked her, noticing to contemplative quietness.
"Just how much this place feels the same." She replied, sitting down under a large tree.
"You know, looking back we could have bought this place." Gnomeo reflected.
"Things would have been very different if we had." Juliet thought, aloud.
"Just the house, the garden, it reminds me of our home in London." Gnomeo said, admiring what they could see.
"Would Violet have been safe here?" Juliet asked him, remembering the main reason they left in the first place.
"I don't know." He said, turning on his side so that his deep blue eyes met her gem-like green ones. "But I do know that when I'm here, I feel like nothing bad can happen. So many great things happened to me here. I fell in love with you here!"
"Oh Gnomeo." Juliet smiled and kissed him gently. She looked at the sky as they pulled away.
"I feel like it should start raining." She confessed.
"I remember that." He smiled and lay next to her. "I remember everything, Juliet."
She turned to him this time. "It's hard to forget, isn't it?" He nodded. "
"I can't forget any of it."
"I wouldn't want to." She replied. He started at the filtered sunlight that danced between the protective leaves of the green trees and Juliet wished they could stay there for a long while with no danger and no one to bother them and just curl up together in the safety of nature.
That evening, Violet and Juliet prepared for the dinner at Lady Bluebury's. Juliet chose to wear her rose gold silken gown. It shimmered with red violet, turquoise, gold, and silver beads that shone on her shiny, soft skirt and the delicate long sleeves. Violet's dress was a light teal with light pink flowers and skirts on it. She looked very delicate and graceful, like a fairy queen. She had picked out the dress with Poppy today. She couldn't help but think that maybe she should look especially nice, in case she should see Jack. It was all she could think about for the carriage ride there and she disliked herself for it. She didn't want to feel this way over someone she felt she barely knew, yet she couldn't help herself.
When they arrived at Bluebury Manor, Violet remembered that this was the first time she was seeing her grandmother's estate. This is where my dad grew up, she thought. It was as grand as her grandfather's, but in a completely different respect. This home was cool and classic. As they walked in, she felt the difference. It was ornate and filled with expensive paintings and vases, like her grandfathers. But while her grandfather favored Italian artictecture and red roses, Lady Bluebury's home was like a French chateau. The floors were crisp marble and there were picture windows. Blue hydrangeas and white roses were the flower of choice.
As they entered the sitting room, Violet could take stock of her grandmother. Lady Bluebury sat primly on the low blue couch in a large and expansive deep blue gown. Her gray hair was back in a simple low bun and her sapphire earrings caught the evening light.
"I'm so glad you've arrived." She said, standing up to greet them.
"We're glad to be here." Her dad replied, kissing her powdered cheek.
"My, Violet you are such a beauty!" Lady Bluebury exclaimed, kissing her granddaughters cheek. Violet could only smile gratefully because as she hugged the woman, she couldn't help but scan for Jack. She hated that she was disappointed that she didn't see him in her range of vision.
"Shall we eat?" Lady Bluebury asked. "I've prepared all the best." Of course, she had not truly prepared the food they would eat. There were cooks for that. Violet also noticed how Lady Bluebury didn't greet her mother. It was similar to Lord Redbrick and Gnomeo. It's like by not acknowledging people, her grandparents could pretend it didn't exist.
The first course was served and Violet admired the fine china that shone in the lamplight. After the obligatory champagne was poured and the food tasted and applauded, Lady Bluebury could converse.
"Gnomeo, my son, you tell me so little of your life. How is your home? How is the business?" Violet felt bad that for her grandmother, that she didn't know about her beloved son's life. Why had her father cut this woman out? She seemed sweet and lonely.
"Our home is lovely,-" Her mother began, but Lady Bluebury cut her off.
"I asked my son." She said, plainly. Violet, not knowing her mother to often back down from a fight, was surprised to see Juliet take a long drink of champagne instead. That's why my father doesn't keep her around, Violet thought, answering her own question. She cannot get along with the other woman he swore to love. It made her sad because she knew Lord Redbrick was the same way.
"Juliet is right, our house is lovely." Her father said, soothing over the snub. "We have lovely gardens."
Lady Bluebury smiled a wan smile. "I would expect nothing less from a boy who grew up amongst my garden of bluebells and orchids."
"And the business is thriving." Gnomeo continued. "I've made Bill Featherstone my partner, as of a few years ago."
Lady Bluebury nodded as the servants served blueberry pie. "You trust him?"
Gnomeo nodded. "He is Violet's godfather."
"Always hire people you can trust." Her grandmother said, like a doting mother. Gnomeo smiled like a boy who'd heard this advice a million times before. Juliet was biting her lip. Her of all people to give that advice!
"And mother, how has retirement been? You've traveled a lot." Gnomeo asked.
"I enjoy the leisure." Lady Bluebury told him, twirling her fork between her fingers. "Traveling has been better than I could have imagined." Gnomeo nodded.
"I'm glad the business is good in your hands, even though it's moved overseas." There was something in her voice, trying to guilt him.
"Yes, we travel too. We've been to Paris, Milan, the Alps, Santorini, and so much more." Gnomeo said.
Lady Bluebury smiled. "I'm sure that was lovely, wasn't it Violet?"
"It was." Violet replied. The pie was being cleared away and the foursome moved from the expansive dining room to the sitting room.
"Violet, I believe one of your parents mentioned that you are a dancer? I would love to see you dance sometime." Lady Bluebury said.
"Yes but I doubt I have enough room here." Violet said trying to be funny, but at the same not wanting to dance in front of her grandmother.
"You could sing for us, darling." Her mother said, sipping on the after-dinner coffee. "Only if you want to, of course." She quipped.
Violet didn't want to very much, but she was used to singing for guests.
"I can sing, does anyone here play piano?" Violet replied.
"My skills are rusty at best." Lady Bluebury frowned. "But Juliet, surely you were trained to play like any girl of your time."
"I'm afraid I wasn't a very good study." Juliet said, trying to be light.
"Undisciplined, perhaps." Lady Bluebury offered. "And Gnomeo, I know you can't play."
"Maybe a maid?" Juliet suggested.
"Do you play?" Gnomeo asked the girl pouring more coffee.
"I can." She replied. Her name was Clara and she'd only been in this house a month.
"Excellent!" Lady Bluebury smiled. "Violet, Clara will play anything you wish to sing." Violet thought of the songs she'd been working on and then to the ones she'd sang so many times, they always sounded passable. She would choose one of those.
"Do you know how to play "When I fall in Love?" She asked. The maid nodded and sat down. She played a chord and Violet began to sing.
When I fall in love, it will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love.
In a restless world like this is, love is ended before it's begun. And too
Many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.
When I give my heart, it will be completely
Or I'll never give my heart.
And the moment I can feel that, you feel that way too, is when I fall in
Love with you.
In a restless world like this is, love is ended before it's begun. And too
Many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.
When I give my heart, it will be completely
Or I'll never give my heart!
And the moment I can feel that, you feel that way too, is when I fall in
Love with you.
When I fall in love - with you
When she finished, she opened her eyes and there, standing in the doorway, where only she could see him from afar, was Jack.
Her family was applauding and she smiled graciously.
"Oh Violet, you are so wonderful!" Lady Bluebury exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
"Thank you." Violet said, her cheeks coloring. "But if you don't mind, all that singing has made me need some water."
"I'll call back the maid!" Lady Bluebury offered.
"I can get it! She's done enough." Violet said, making her way out of the room.
"Are you sure?" Her dad asked and Violet smiled.
"Yes, I'll be back shortly."
She walked into the kitchens and looked around. "You're amazing."
She would recognize his voice anywhere. She had never heard a voice that was the sound eqvuilent of chocolate, or something equally smooth and indulgent. Jack was only feet away from her.
"You were listening?" She said, feeling her smile become genuine.
"How could I not be? Not only are you the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but you can sing like an angel." He said, with his flirting smile.
"Stop, now you're just flattering me." Violet replied. His piercing gaze met hers and her breath got caught in her throat.
"I can't stop thinking about you." He said, becoming a little more serious. Violet wanted so badly to tell him she had felt the same way.
"I've thought about you too." She said, looking down shyly.
"I know that you are much richer, and probably too good for me, and heck you live in a different country, but I want to see you again. I want to spend a day with you, learn everything about you." He told her. Violet was so surprised she couldn't even reply. "Jack,-" She began.
And I'm sure you'll find some way to let me down easy He said, cutting her off. "But I figured that you are a once in a lifetime person, and if I didn't at least try to see if you'd give me chance, I'd regret it." Violet couldn't stop falling for him now.
"I was going to give you a chance before you even asked." She said, and his face broke out into a large smile.
"Were you really? Are you saying that maybe you feel the same for me?" He was teasing her now and she liked it.
"I'm not saying anything." Violet replied, crossing her arms and pretending to be aloof.
"Really? Because When I fall in love, says a lot of things." Jack ran his hand though his longer dark hair.
"How do you know that song was directed at you?" She asked him, slyly.
"I don't know, but trust me, I'm hoping." He said. Violet thought she heard footsteps approaching.
"But seriously, when and where can I meet you?" His eyes met hers and Violet's heart quickened.
"I don't know, I'll need some way to get away." Violet told him.
"Here's an idea, I know a spot in Central Park, it's by a lake, it's very beautiful and if you would be willing, we could have lunch." Jack offered.
"I want to but it won't be easy." Violet confessed. "I have a friend who might be able to cover for me, but I'll have to ask her."
"Who is it?" Jack asked.
"Poppy Davenport. We're staying with her family while we're here." Violet told him.
"Alright. I'll suggest Lady Bluebury send some gifts over tomorrow to show up Redbrick. She'll inevitably have me deliver them and you can tell me your answer them?" His face was so earnest.
"That's good, I'll see you then." Violet said. "But I have to go now, I've been stalling from my family long enough."
"Go ahead, I'll see you soon." Jack said with a warm smile. Violet stole a fleeting glance at him before leaving, skirts in hand.
As soon as they returned from dinner, Violet ran to Poppy's room. She didn't even knock, she just barged in.
"Well hello there." Poppy said, looking up from where she was lounging on the bed, reading society papers.
"Poppy, I saw him. He heard me sing and then we talked. And we might meet, but I need your help." Violet was breathless.
"Oh my gosh, slow it down." Poppy said, sitting up slowly. Violet told the story of the whole night, trying not to leave any details out.
"Well you have to eat lunch with him. You have to do this." Poppy said, with certainty.
"I don't know." Violet said, "So many things could go wrong."
"If you don't, you will regret it." Poppy said with a tempting tone.
"You'd have to help me." Violet replied with certaintity. "I'll need you to cover for me to my parents and stuff."
"Done. When he comes tomorrow, you tell him that you would love to go on a date with him. I mean what's the worst that can happen?" Poppy asked.
"Actually a lot of things-" Violet began.
"Take a risk, my friend!" Poppy proclaimed, grandly. "You don't seem like the kind of the girl who takes a lot of risks."
"I'm not but I agree, this is one I'm going to take. " Violet said, levelly.
"Yay!" Poppy squealed, clutching her friend's hand. "This is happening!"
"Yeah." Violet said, dazed. "I guess it is."
She couldn't wait to see what times with Jack would bring.
On the other side of town, a ratlike man sat at a bar. He looked old, thin, and beat down. Holding a class of bourbon, he paged through society papers, reading all about the parties that had happened recently. He couldn't believe he was back in this town, but he was. There was unfinished business to take care of.
more to come! xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxox - lorelibelle54