Page 15

“ O h, not at all.” Daphne was the one to answer.

Nicholas stepped further into the room, his hands clasped lightly behind his back as he surveyed them.

“Good. I heard the sound of laughter from down the hallway and decided to see what has gotten the Duchess so amused.” His gaze flicked to Violet for just a moment, the gesture sending a ripple of warmth through her, before he turned his focus back to her friends.

“I trust your journey here was pleasant?” he asked.

“Very pleasant, thank you,” Isadora replied smoothly. “Your estate is as breathtaking as Violet described. She’s been most gracious in showing us around.”

“Ah, has she?” Nicholas said. “Then I must commend you, Duchess, on your hospitality.”

Violet flushed but managed a composed nod. “It’s been lovely having them here.”

“Of that, I have no doubt. Though I do hope you’ve had time to rest after your travels. The roads this time of year can be… unforgiving.”

Daphne laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “It was well worth it. Violet’s company is always a balm after such travels.”

“Then I’m relieved to hear you arrived safely,” Nicholas nodded. “Any friends of Violet are always welcome here at the estate.”

“Yes, and it is a gorgeous estate!” Isadora chimed.

Nicholas inclined his head slightly. “Your praise is appreciated though I fear I can take little credit. The house has stood long before my time. Any elegance you see is due to its enduring charm—and, of course, my wife’s influence.”

Violet’s head snapped up at that, her cheeks flushing once more. Daphne and Isadora both turned to her, barely managing to fight the smiles off their faces.

“She’s been rather modest about her contributions,” Daphne replied teasingly.

“Oh, I am not surprised to hear that. But I assure you, her changes have been thoughtful and well-executed. She has been hard at work these last few days.”

He was being so forward with his compliments towards her. Violet knew that she was not going to hear the end of it from her friends later.

Nicholas straightened, his tone shifting slightly as he addressed all three women. “Well, I shan’t keep you from your conversation any longer. I merely wished to ensure you were comfortable. Enjoy your afternoon, ladies,” he said before stepping toward the door.

As he left, the air in the room seemed to change. Daphne turned to Violet almost immediately, her eyes wide with intrigue.

“Well, he’s certainly… compelling.”

“Compelling is an understatement,” Isadora added, grinning. “How on earth do you keep your wits about you, Violet?”

Violet groaned softly, covering her face with her hands. “I despise both of you,” she muttered.

“We are only pointing out the truth,” Daphne grinned. “If nothing else, I imagine your wedding night was perfectly splendid. A man like Nicholas must have made quite an impression.”

“My wedding night?” Violet repeated. She remembered how she had spent it alone in her quarters. What was so splendid about that?

Daphne froze for a fraction of a second, as if she had given too much away.“Oh, nothing. I only meant—well, never mind.”

Violet tilted her head, her confusion deepening. “But what did you mean?”

Daphne opened her mouth then closed it again, clearly searching for a way out. “Nothing, nothing. I meant nothing.”

Strange. It was not like her to act in this manner. Still, Violet did not press any further.

The three friends continued to catch up until it was time to leave.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality, Violet,” Daphne said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “We’ll write soon, and you simply must visit us in Greymont when you can.”

Isadora followed suit, her movements hurried. “Yes, we’ll catch up more another time. Goodbye, Violet!”

Just as they left, she was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Graves, who approached with a silver tray in hand.

“A letter for you, Your Grace,” he announced, presenting it with a slight bow.

“Thank you, Mr. Graves,” Violet said, taking the envelope. She recognized her mother’s elegant handwriting immediately and felt a pang of both relief and apprehension.

My Dearest Violet,

It has been far too long since we last saw you, and I find myself missing you terribly. Your brothers and I are eager to hear all about your new life at the estate. If you are able, do consider visiting us soon—we would be overjoyed to have you here.

With all my love,

Mother

Violet read the letter twice. She missed her family, of course, but the thought of returning to her childhood home now, as a married woman and duchess, filled her with unease. How much had she changed in these past weeks? And how much more would she change before she felt fully herself again?

Folding the letter carefully, Violet placed it on the table beside her and leaned back in her chair. There was no question of declining her mother’s request, of course—she would have to visit soon. But the thought of doing so with Nicholas at her side was an entirely different matter.

Oh, it’s going to be so different.

Violet sat in the library, her book resting open on her lap. Though her eyes skimmed the pages, her mind wasn’t truly on the words. Daphne and Isadora’s teasing lingered in her thoughts.

She sighed, running a finger along the edge of the page, when the sound of footsteps caught her attention.

The library door creaked open, and Nicholas stepped inside. His gaze swept the room before settling on her. He arched an eyebrow, his expression both amused and curious.

“Violet,” he greeted, “back in the library, I see.”

As he came into view, his eyes swept curiously across the book that lay open in front of her. “May I?”

Violet nodded.

He picked the book and examined its title. A smirk was already beginning to play on his lips.

“I really do not mean to pry of course. Just… curious to see if you were reading yet another one of your scandalous books.”

Violet’s cheeks flamed instantly, and she snatched the book from his hands as though caught red-handed. “Of course not!” she said quickly, glaring at him.

“Though it would make for much more interesting conversation if you were,” he winked.

Winked.

Violet took a moment to compose herself from what it did to her. Heavens.

Nicholas chuckled, clearly amused. “I have to admit it is rather fun watching you read. But for your own sake, I wouldn’t want you blushing quite so furiously again.”

“What are you doing here, Your Grace?” Come to torment me some more?

“I am just here to see what you are doing,” Nicholas replied, leaning against the desk near her. “How was it earlier today? Your friends seemed lively—good company, I assume.”

Violet relaxed slightly though her guard was still up. Friends she could talk about. It was a familiar and easy topic.”

“They are. Isadora and Daphne have been my closest friends for years. More than friends, they are like sisters to me.”

“And what makes you so close?” he asked, his tone genuinely curious. “You all seem… rather different from one another.”

Violet tilted her head, considering the question. Now that she came to think of it, they were quite different in their personalities. But how had he surmised that based on only a brief conversation with them?

“Do we? It appears you were observing us quite keenly then.”

“I was observing you ,” he clarified, causing her to feel a strange flutter in her chest. “And then them as a consequence. Besides, I have a knack for reading people. A natural talent, you might say.”

Violet pressed her lips together. “That is quit a nice way to say that you can be judgmental of people.”

“Judgmental?” he seemed almost amused by that. “Not at all. That would imply that I have something unsavoury to say about them when in reality, I found them to be quite agreeable.”

Violet did not know why, but she felt an immediate sense of relief hearing him say that. Their relationship wasn’t a romantic one, but even so, it felt nice to have his approval.

“Well, we have some important things in common. We share a love of books above all,” she said with a small smile. “I suppose that’s how it started.”

She did not tell him about how the three of them would discuss the topic of finding love. Somehow, she was not sure if she could utter that word in front of him without making an utter fool of herself.

Nicholas’ lips quirked into a faint smile. “Ah, birds of a feather.”

“We are close,” Violet admitted, relaxing further. “There’s a certain comfort in knowing people who understand you, you know.”

“So, the secret to understanding you is understanding your love of books?” he inquired.

His question surprised her. If she was not careful, she could even misplace it for interest.

“I… well, yes that is one part of it.”

He nodded, as if adding to some invisible list he had in his mind.

“I’m fond of books myself. Unfortunately, there’s little time for reading these days. Duke’s duties and all.”

“ You? Fond of books?”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Is that really so surprising to you? Did you think yourself the only one in this house capable of enjoying a good story? Or did you assume one has to be a wallflower to appreciate books?”

Her cheeks heated at his teasing, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Of course, you didn’t,” Nicholas said with a grin, clearly enjoying her flustered state. “But yes, I do read—when I can. Perhaps I’ll even let you recommend something.”

“Perhaps,” Violet replied though the idea of Nicholas poring over one of her favorite novels was too strange to imagine.

A moment of silence passed between them.

Then Violet cleared her throat, her tone softening. “I received a letter from my mother today,” she said, glancing up at him. “She’s asking me to visit. I thought… perhaps we could go together?”

Nicholas considered her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he inclined his head slightly. “It’s only fitting that I spend some more time with your family. When were you thinking of leaving?”

“Soon,” Violet said, relieved he hadn’t dismissed the idea outright. “But only if it doesn’t interfere with your schedule.”

“I shall carve out the time for it,” he nodded. It was said in a matter-of-fact manner, but it still made her heart flutter slightly.

Get a hold of yourself, Violet.

“Thank you.”

Nicholas straightened, stepping away from the desk. “Well, I shall leave you to your… reading, then. Goodnight, Violet,” he said before turning toward the door.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Violet sat back, wondering how such a simple interaction with him had left her cheeks warm.