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“ I s he here tonight?” Nicholas asked. They had just concluded their dance, and Violet was still reeling from all the emotions that it had sprouted inside of her.

Even though it was all an act— he said so himself —it was hard for her not to grow flustered when he spoke to her like this. Like he was someone who was actually pursuing her. Like their marriage was anything more than just for show.

She felt as though she was treading a dangerous line here.

“Who?” she asked, distracted.

“The man.” His jaw tightened as he spoke. “The one you mentioned earlier, the one that you were…keen on.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed. He was still focused on that? She thought they had long moved on from that conversation. “Well, I do not know, but it would be a touch awkward if he was, so I hope for my sake that he is not.”

“I hope he is here.”

She blinked, caught off guard. “You… hope he is?”

“Yes,” he said simply, his jaw tightening for a moment before his smirk returned. “It would be… entertaining.”

“Why?” she asked, genuinely puzzled. “Why would you want that?”

Nicholas shrugged, his expression maddeningly nonchalant. “It would be fun.”

“Fun?” she repeated, incredulous. “We seem to have very different ideas of what constitutes fun, Nicholas.”

That earned her a genuine laugh. “Perhaps,” he conceded, his smirk softening into a smile. “But consider this—many men in this room are already envious of the fact that you’re by my side tonight. Why not add one more to the list?”

Violet stared at him, caught between exasperation and disbelief. “You’re insufferable. And a great actor, I might add.”

Very, very convincing.

“Insufferable or not, you are by my side,” he smirked, enjoying the moment far too much. “I suppose it worked out for me, didn’t it?”

“I suppose I have no choice in the matter.”

“Ah, yes, the recurring theme of your life. No choice at all. And yet, here you are by my side, holding your own better than anyone else in this room. When will you admit that you have a role to play in this whole charade as well?”

Violet didn’t know how to respond. She glanced at him, her green eyes searching his face, but before she could speak, he extended his hand again.

“Shall we?”

“Shall we… what?” She hated just how much of an effect he was having her.

“Shall we continue to charm the room? Or would you prefer a moment to compose yourself?”

Violet raised her chin, determined not to let him see how much he unsettled her. “I am perfectly composed, thank you.” She glared at him instead.

“Oh, don’t take offense. It’s rather endearing, actually. The way your voice gets just a touch sharper, your complexion turns warm—little tells that you’re flustered.”

“I am not flustered,” she said firmly. She hated how he could see right through her.

“Of course not. How very silly of me to suggest such a thing.” He grinned. “You are the very picture of calm.”

“Even if I am,” she replied, “you are the one to blame for it. It is amazing, really, just how skillful you seem to be at that.”

“Only when I’m inspired. And you, my dear, seem to be a constant source of inspiration. Now please, let’s go. I wish to introduce you to some more people.”

He led her over to a group of ladies—all married and much older than herself.

Violet tightened her grip on Nicholas’ arm ever so slightly, a subtle gesture that betrayed her nerves.

He glanced down at her, his expression unreadable but his voice calm. “Relax, Violet. They won’t bite.”

“Oh, I am not so sure about that,” she murmured under her breath, earning a faint smirk from him.

As they approached, the ladies turned their attention toward them, their expressions polite but laden with a faintly condescending curiosity. Nicholas inclined his head in greeting, his movements effortlessly elegant.

“Ladies,” he said smoothly, “allow me to introduce my wife, the Duchess of Bernight.”

Violet curtsied gracefully, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The leader of the group gave a faint smile. “Ah, the new duchess,” she said, her tone measured. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

“Indeed,” another chimed in, her eyes flitting over Violet’s gown with an air of appraisal. “And may I say, Your Grace, you’ve chosen a… bold color. It’s quite striking.”

“Striking, yes. It suits her, don’t you think? A duchess should stand out, not fade into the background.”

The ladies exchanged glances, their smiles fixed but their eyes betraying the subtle sting of his words. “Of course,” the first lady said smoothly. “How fortunate for you to have such a discerning eye, Your Grace.”

“Fortunate indeed. Though I’d argue it’s I who am fortunate. Violet has brought vitality to Bernight House that was sorely lacking before her arrival.”

Violet’s cheeks warmed at the compliment, and she cast a quick glance at Nicholas, unsure whether his words were entirely for show.

“How lovely,” another said, her smile brittle. “And how are you finding your new role, Your Grace? It must be quite the adjustment.”

Violet hesitated, unsure how to respond, but Nicholas didn’t give her the chance. “She’s thriving,” he said firmly, his gaze sweeping over the group. “Her efforts at the estate have already made a marked difference, and I have no doubt the ton will soon come to appreciate her as much as I do.”

The ladies exchanged polite murmurs.

“How… inspiring,” one of them said though her tone suggested otherwise.

Nicholas’ smirk returned, and he inclined his head slightly. “If you’ll excuse us, ladies. There are many more people eager to meet my wife.”

As they stepped away, Violet let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her grip on his arm relaxed, and she glanced up at him, her expression thoughtful. “I do not think they liked me very much,” she admitted.

“Like you?” he repeated, shaking his head slightly. “That, I cannot say. But jealous of you? Certainly.”

Violet blinked, startled. “Jealous?”

“Of course,” he said, his smirk softening into a small smile. “They’re not fools, Violet. You are the center of attention tonight, and that is enough to make anyone jealous.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, unsure how to respond. For all his teasing and insufferable arrogance, Nicholas had a way of making her feel… seen. And that, she realized, was worth far more than the approval of a few judgmental matrons.