Of course, Edward told himself swiftly, if Miss Violetta had commanded this seeming perversion with the assistance of some trusted helper, the male equivalent of her devoted Janey or Jenny, then naturally it was no untoward prank—instead it all must be part of the grand design of her unquestionable discipline. By definition, therefore, it must be laudable and right, for an irreproachable lady of her position would be motivated only by the highest of ideals, unusual though her methods at first might seem. She knew what was best, and she knew precisely what her wayward charge needed to bring him back into the light. Righteously he clung tight to that truth. The fallen lad, of all people, was not one to dare question or second-guess the doings of the irreproachable Miss Violetta.
At yet even
