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“All about you?” Violet chuckled. “Caroline, I do not think that once in your life have you made anything all about you.”

Caroline laughed softly.

“Which leads me to believe that something must be wrong.” She crossed the room and most surprisingly, put an arm around Caroline’s waist. “Do you wish to talk about it? Something tells me I might be the only one who will understand.”

Caroline frowned and leaned back as she took in her older sister. The offer was most unexpected, as was the look of concern etched across her face. And indeed, her words were true, as she—above all others—was the only person in this world who might understand Caroline’s current woes.

A forced marriage. A husband she did not want. No way out, stained by expectation because this was simply how things had to be.

“I think you can guess well enough,” Caroline mumbled. “Although I know there is no use complaining about it. Which is why I have tried not to be a burden.”

“And still, somehow you have managed it.”

She winced. “I am sorry.”

“And I am just joking, Caroline.” She hugged her a little tighter, then let go and walked back to the mirror, looking herself over. She was beautiful, Caroline thought, in her sky-blue dress, silver jewelry, and elegant makeup that had her skin shining. “You do not wish to marry His Grace.” It was not a question.

“What I wish does not matter.”

“True enough,” Violet said. “May I ask why?”

Caroline frowned. “Does it need to be said?”

“Well, I assume it is because His Grace is one who does not inspire typical notions of romance.” A light chuckle. “Admittedly, I hardly know the man, but he does seem a tad...” She considered. “Cruel.”

“Hence the nickname.”

“I am sure it is just rumor.”

“Maybe,” Caroline shrugged. “But the name did not spring from nowhere. He does not like me, Violet. And I do not much like him.”

“Is that all?” Violet pressed. “I admit, and this is a little embarrassing to say, but I realize suddenly that I have no idea what you want.”

“What I want?” Caroline frowned at the comment, not understanding what her sister meant.

“From marriage,” she specified. “I do not think I have ever asked you. Nor have I ever asked how you feel about it.” She looked at Caroline questioningly. “It is marriage itself you spurn, or the man?

It was a good question and was without a doubt at the heart of Caroline’s trauma.

Caroline’s feelings about marriage were influenced heavily by her mother and father; that which she had grown up under and been forced to witness firsthand. To put it simply, it was not a happy union, her father treating her mother like little more than a means to an end—a tool he might use to sire children, giving her nothing in return but contempt and apathy.

For many years, Caroline had hated knowing that her mother was in a loveless marriage, wondering how she could put up with such a thing.Wasn’t the entire point of marriage to fall in love?

It was when she was only twelve that her mother dissuaded her of that notion. The incident with the scandalous story she was found reading, being the key instigator of her changed perceptions. When she was found reading it, she had argued with her mother, assuming that what she was reading was ‘natural’ and befitting of a wife and her husband. Her mother was quick to change this viewpoint.

Marriage was nothing but duty. A wife was not meant to love her husband. She was certainly not supposed to enjoy going to bed with him. She was there to have children, to raise their family, and to do as she was told to do. Nothing more.

This was why Caroline felt extreme guilt whenever she thought of the duke or was within his presence. That fact that shewantedhim, even when she knew it was wrong. That she was so hopelessly attracted to him, even when hating him and fearing him at the same time. It made her feel like a failure, as if she was doing something wrong and unspeakable.

I do not want to feel this way about the duke. And that I do... surely, something must be wrong with me?

“It does not matter what I want,” she said, her head still bowed, her voice pained. “I do not want to marry His Grace. Is that not reason enough to be upset?”

Violet considered her for a moment; Caroline was not looking at her, so she could not guess at what she was thinking.Probably, she is annoyed at me, this self-pity routine is very unladylike.

“Let me tell you about my soon-to-be husband, shall I?” Violet said with a sigh. “You have met the man, so you know as well as anyone else that he is... how can I put this kindly…?” She considered further. “A downright toad.”

Caroline’s head snapped up and she gasped. “Violet!”