Chapter 14: Violet
Contains spoilers
Summary
- Violet is apprehensive about going clay pigeon shooting with her father and Frederick, as she dislikes guns and fears for the safety of real birds.
- She is conflicted with feelings of attraction and nervousness towards Frederick and compares his draw to her as a magnetic field.
- Violet is self-conscious about her appearance, wearing an over-sized tweed skirt and jacket, feeling like she looks too young.
- She remembers her mother's necklace, which she keeps hidden under her blouse, and recalls how it was once taken from her.
- Violet is still curious about the word "Weyward" scratched into the wainscoting in her room but hasn’t found any more clues.
- She feels betrayed by the secrets she believes her room holds and contemplates asking the servants, but doubts they would tell her truth.
- At breakfast, Violet opts to avoid the bacon and kidneys, feeling a connection to a pig they once had, possibly the source of the bacon.
- Her brief interaction with Frederick during breakfast is awkward, especially after he talks about his combat experiences and killing people.
- Frederick apologizes for his harshness in describing his wartime experiences, and Violet's father joins, oblivious to the tension.
- Violet pities Frederick for what he had to endure in war and muses on the nature of life and death.
- During the clay pigeon shooting, Violet’s father and Frederick both take their turns before Frederick encourages Violet to try.
- Frederick assists Violet with the rifle, and she is surprised by its weight and the feeling of Frederick's hands guiding her.
- The chapter concludes with Violet accidentally firing the gun and falling into Frederick’s arms.