Chapter 52: Violet

Summary

• Graham stayed with Violet until September before returning to Harrow for schooling, which their father would fund only until graduation.
• Their father's letter ignored Violet's existence, which made Graham worry about leaving her on her own.
• Violet reassures him, mentioning she will garden by planting seeds given by the village greengrocer and keeping the helleborine for the bees.
• Graham promises to bring books for Violet at Christmas and departs for the bus station.
• Suffering from traumatic memories of an assault by Frederick, Violet struggles with dreams and the loss of a child, realizing she will never have her own family.
• A letter arrives from Frederick informing Violet of their father's death from a heart attack and revelations that neither she nor Graham are his biological children.
• Frederick is now the Tenth Viscount Kendall and he sends a deed transferring ownership of Weyward Cottage to Violet, which angers her.
• Despite not mourning their father, Violet feels the absence of her mother and grandmother deeply, acknowledging their recent passings.
• Graham refuses an allowance offered by Frederick, aspiring to earn a scholarship for law school and rejecting ties to the money which he feels is not Frederick's to offer.
• Reflecting on nature and the lifecycle of mayflies during the winter, Violet becomes inspired and summons a power within to envision a future revenge against Frederick.
• Graham returns for Christmas with stolen library books as a gift for Violet, who shows a strong interest in entomology.
• The siblings contemplate Violet's future, with Graham hopeful about supporting her interests once he becomes a successful lawyer.
• The chapter ends with Violet feeling a sense of hope and a sense that everything will eventually turn out well for her.