Afterwards
The first time Violet had seen her husband had been at the Montlakes’ ball. He’d stood off to one side, practically invisible. They were in that same ballroom now, but there was no dancing this time, just music and mingling, a soirée to mark the final days of the Season.
Periander stood near the center of the room, talking with Rhodes and Oliver. As Violet watched, he said something that made them all laugh.
It seemed impossible that she’d ever thought him nondescript, that she’d compared him to a piece of furniture and labeled him Mr. Bland. Violet huffed to herself, a scolding little sound. How blind she’d been. How wrong-headed.
Rhodes said something. Oliver chimed in, gesticulating with his glass. The three men laughed again.
Devereux Abbishaw joined them. Whatever he h
