strongly as she had. Her relief at this new romance was boundless.
Ronan said nothing, merely gave a slight quirk of his eyebrow.
When they stopped in front of Violet’s house, Dahlia turned to him. “It has been a wonderful afternoon. Thank you for showing us Lady Wellbrook’s house. Perhaps we ought to part company now. Violet is feeling a little under the weather, and I would not like to impose on her more than we already have.”
Heather, obviously swept away by romantic fantasies, would not hear of it. “She merely complained of a mild queasiness. I’m sure she’s fine now. She looked perfectly fit last night. Let’s ask her before you send Ronan on his way.”
Dahlia forced a smile. “Very well.”
She tried not to appear reluctant because Ronan was already regarding her with some concern, no doubt afraid she was going to ruin their courtship before it had ever started. She took a deep breath and smiled up at him, allowing all the affection she felt for him to show.
“There’s my Queen Pea,” he murmured, placing her arm in his as they walked to Violet’s door.
Heather once again beamed at their exchange.
Violet happened to be the one to fling open the door, likely shouldering aside her butler before the poor man had a chance to greet them. She caught the look they exchanged, and her eyes lit up. “I was hoping you’d stop in.”
“How are you feeling?” Dahlia asked, glad that her cousin had gotten over her earlier stomach upset. In truth, she looked radiant.
“I’m in the pink. Do come in. I’d love the company.” She began to rattle off questions. “Where did you go today?”
They quickly related all they had done.
She clapped her hands and gave Ronan a quick hug. “Congratulations! I had no idea you were searching for a home of your own.”
“It was time, Violet. I’m the last of the wildebeests to remain a bachelor. With Romulus, Finn, and Joshua marrying within a few months of each other, I thought I had better start planning ahead.”
Violet cleared her throat. “They all married Farthingales.”
He laughed and glanced at Dahlia. “It has not escaped my notice.”
Oh, goodness. She could actually hear the excited flutter of Violet’s heart. Well, not quite hear it so much as feel it. But this is how they were as a family, each one wanting happiness for those they loved.
Violet tipped her head up. “I’m sure you have much to discuss with Dahlia. The library is all yours. Heather can tell me the rest of what happened while you get back to reading the book.”
They were herded into the library, but thankfully the door was left open. Her cousin had retained some common sense while in her matchmaking fervor.
Once alone with Ronan, Dahlia sank onto the settee with an oof. “That was difficult.”
He settled in a chair across from her. “I’m sorry you thought so. It doesn’t have to be a pretense.”
“How can it be anything else?”
“Why are you so closed off to the possibility that there could be something between us?” He shook his head and groaned. “No, that was not fair of me. Your wound is still too raw. I have no right to push you in a direction you are not yet ready to go.”
She nodded. “But I’m happy for your new purchase. It’s a beautiful house.”
“Will you help me? I would love your input, no matter what happens over the course of these next two weeks.”
“Yes,” she said with a laugh, “I think you would have to wrestle me to the ground and pry the fabric swatches out of my hands before I’d ever give them up.”
“Once the house is mine, I shall give you a key so that you may come and go as you please. You’ll need one since I don’t think I’ll be hiring any staff until most of the work is done. But you mustn’t ever go there alone. After what happened to Holly, not that either of us has a lunatic after us, but it’s still best to be cautious.”
“You needn’t worry about me ever being alone there. I think there will be a daily party at the house. Between your mother, your sisters-in-law, my sisters and cousins, and additional assorted relatives who just happen to be passing by and decide to pop in, there ought to be a good twenty or thirty ladies in your parlor on any given day.”
He eased back in his chair and smiled. “Good. I want you to feel safe whenever you