Page 10 of Hearts of Locke Hill

“Intend?Intend?Iintendedto have my son by my side! And when I lost him, I intended to have a son-in-law or a grandson or, God grant me,both.”

Violet’s heart pounded hard through the following silence. They never spoke of Daniel. Ever.

Mama’s voice came low but firm. “I have no intention of Violet teaching.”

Violet gasped, then quickly covered her mouth. Nothing had been set, but she’d shared her wishes with Mama. She’d trusted her.

“Iintendto give her much more control than that. She is capable, learned, and confident.” The rustle of Mama’s skirts and the soft steps of her shoes crossed the room. “You may have lost a son, but you are blind to the wonderful and rare opportunity you still have. Consider my proposal.”

“I’ll consider your proposal when she considers marrying.”

“Violet will only consider marrying for love. Real, unequivocal love.”

Violet swallowed hard. She could trust Mama with anything, of course.

“Then she is a fool,” Father mumbled.

“Hmm. With her propensity to watch and learn from other’s mistakes, I believe her quite brilliant.”

The footsteps turned toward the very door Violet stood inches from. She shuffled backward, across the hall, bumping into a bust of Nero and steadying it with both hands before it could tip over completely.

The study door clicked open, and Mama stepped through, her eyes downcast. Turning, she shut the door and leaned her forehead against it. Her shoulders lifted and sank with a shuddering breath. Then her back straightened, she lifted her chin, and she turned—catching Violet wide-eyed, hand clutching Nero’s face.

Mama pressed her pointing finger to her lips, then nodded toward the drawing room.

Violet righted the statue and walked as silently as she could, following Mama until the drawing room doors had shut behind them.

“Mama, I’m so sorry. I—”

Mama’s arms were around her shoulders in a heartbeat. “Hush. There is no need for you to apologize. And I’ll not apologize either. That conversation was not meant for your ears, but what’s said is said, and I will not take the words back. I only wish …”

“You wish Daniel were here.”

Mama stepped back, her hands still holding Violet’s shoulders. They were of a height, tall and eye to eye. Mama’s brown eyes shone with unspent tears, her alto voice rough with emotion. “That is not what I was going to say.” She brought a hand to Violet’s cheek. “You are right, of course, but not for the reasonsracing through your head at this moment, so stop that this instant.”

Violet flickered a smile. How well this woman knew her.

“I meant to say that I wish I could get through to thatmanin the study. He wasn’t always this hard—thisstone-headed.”

Violet lifted a brow.

“Well, all right, yes, he was, but he was also … softer.” Her gaze drifted beyond Violet’s shoulder. “Our marriage might have been a business deal, but in the beginning—I had thought—” She blinked and drew a steadying breath, dashing a fingertip at the corner of her eye. “Well, I have no intention of folding for his archaic ideas, and neither should you. I may have an overactive inclination to see potential in others—”

“Is that what you saw in Father? In the beginning? Potential?”

Mama’s face softened into a smile. “Of course, my darling, perceptive daughter. And I see it in you. I always have.”

“I’ll not let you down,” Violet whispered.

“Oh, hush. Do not reach for your potential for me.” She held Violet’s face in her soft hands. “Or for him. I’ve observed you time and time again trying to prove your worth to your father. You’ve nothing to prove to anyone. Reach for your potential because you want a life well lived.”

“Is that what you’ve done, Mama? Is that what I see you doing?”

Mama sighed, shaking her head. “Every minute.” She smirked. “And I’m onlyjustbeginning.”

Violet released a quiet laugh, and Mama joined her.

“Now,” she said, pulling back and straightening herself out. “Why aren’t you gone with your friends? You’ve an outing today, correct?”