Page 26

Maria smiled faintly, stepping back to admire her work. “You’ve already done so much, Your Grace. The staff has noticed.”

“Not enough,” Violet replied though her tone was thoughtful rather than self-critical. She tapped her fingers lightly against the edge of the vanity as an idea began to take shape.

“What better way to establish myself than to host a ball?” she said suddenly, the idea blooming fully in her mind. “Something grand, something that will remind the ton exactly who the Duchess of Bernight is.”

Maria’s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly nodded. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Your Grace.”

Violet stood, smoothing out the folds of her gown. “Yes, it’s settled. A ball. It will be a challenge, but I’m more than up to the task.”

As she spoke, a flicker of excitement began to replace the lingering unease from the previous night.

This was what she needed—a purpose, a goal to focus her energy on.

She would throw a ball that would not only showcase her capabilities as a duchess but also solidify her place in this new world she had been thrust into.

She thought over the idea for the remainder of the day, and when it was time for dinner, she decided to bring it up with Nicholas.

Finally, as the last course was cleared away, she set down her glass and looked across the table at Nicholas.

“I’ve decided to host a ball,” she announced with calm resolve.

Nicholas paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, before setting it down. “A ball?”

“Yes,” Violet said, her chin lifting slightly. “Something grand to formally establish myself as Duchess of Bernight and to?—”

“To impress the ton , ” he finished for her, leaning back in his chair with a faint smirk. “How very ambitious of you.”

“It’s necessary,” she replied, her tone firm. “The estate, our name—everything must be maintained. A ball would be the perfect way to solidify our standing.”

Nicholas arched a brow, clearly intrigued by her confidence. “And you’re consulting me on this because? You need not ask for my permission, Violet.”

“No, I was just—” Violet said, immediately growing flushed. “It is your estate as well. I thought you might have some insight to offer.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Very well. Shall we discuss this in more suitable surroundings?”

She blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean by suitable surroundings?”

“A stroll,” he clarified, rising from his chair and gesturing toward the door. “The estate is rather pleasant at night. We can plan your grand event while we walk.”

Violet hesitated for a moment before standing, smoothing out her skirts. “If you insist.”

Nicholas offered his arm, and she took it cautiously, her fingers brushing against the fabric of his sleeve. Together, they stepped out into the cool evening air.

The estate grounds were serene. For a moment, they walked in companionable silence. Violet made sure to keep her gaze trained to the floor. She did not wish to risk looking at him. Coming out alone on a stroll with him was dangerous enough.

“I thought you wanted to have a discussion, Violet,” Nicholas broke the silence first.

“Oh, yes, of course I did… I was thinking of hosting it in the main ballroom,” she flushed, rambling nervously. It was her first time planning for such a thing after all. And half of her energies were focused on not looking at him.

It wasn’t her fault that he puzzled her so. It was his .

“It’s large enough to accommodate the number of guests I have in mind,” she continued, trying to keep her tone steady.

Nicholas nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. “A logical choice. And the decorations?”

“I’ve already begun drafting ideas,” she said, her confidence returning slowly as they eased into the conversation. This was a safe topic. “Something elegant but not ostentatious. I want it to reflect our position without appearing… excessive.”

“Very meticulous,” Nicholas remarked, a teasing edge to his tone. “You do enjoy keeping yourself busy, don’t you?”

Violet glanced at him but quickly looked away, her brows furrowing slightly.

Yes. Busy enough so that I do not think about you. But she would not dare say that out loud.

“It is more than just about keeping busy. It’s important, you know.”

“Of course, it is,” he said smoothly though his smirk betrayed his amusement. “But hearing you speak about it now, I can see how everything will be planned down to the last petal on the centerpieces.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” she countered, her tone defensive.

“Nothing,” he replied, his smirk softening. “But perfectionism can be…exhausting.”

“For whom?”

“For everyone but you, I imagine,” Nicholas quipped.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “I simply want things to be done right.”

“And they will be,” he assured her. “It is clear that you won’t settle for anything less.”

Violet felt her cheeks warm at the subtle praise though she quickly turned her attention back to the path. “I suppose you have opinions on the guest list as well?”

“Only that it should be manageable,” Nicholas said. “Inviting half of London won’t win you any favors. It’s better to focus on the right people.”

“Such as?”

“The influential ones,” he said, glancing at her. “The ones who can bolster your reputation rather than tear it down. You’ll find that the ton is full of opportunists.”

She nodded thoughtfully, filing away his advice. “And what about you?”

“Me?”

“Will you be there?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Nicholas stopped walking, turning to face her fully. The faint moonlight cast a glow over his features, making his expression unreadable. “It’s your ball. Do you want me there?”

Violet hesitated, unsure how to answer. It was not as though she did not want his presence—rather, the opposite was true. But she was unsure if he would find it worth his time.

“Yes. It wouldn’t feel right without you.”

His gaze softened, and for a brief moment, the teasing edge in his demeanor disappeared. “Then I’ll be there,” he said simply.

“Are you certain? I understand that your schedule can be quite demanding and…”

He cut her off, “I can make time for you, Violet. You need not hesitate so much. If anything, it will be rather interesting to see how you handle hosting a ball, given your dislike for them.”

“Oh, right, yes.” She found herself flushing yet again. “I suppose I do not enjoy attending them much, but hosting might be different.”

He studied her expression for a moment. “Oh, I don’t know. My opinion on them seems to be shifting slightly. The last ball we attended was not so bad.”

“That was because you were there with me.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop herself. She did not know where this newfound confidence had sprouted from.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow.

Violet froze, realizing what she had just said. Her cheeks flamed instantly, and she looked away. “I—I only meant that we… made a good team,” she stammered, attempting to salvage her slip.

“A good team, yes,” he echoed.

“Yes,” she said firmly, her gaze snapping back to his as if daring him to challenge her. “You helped me navigate the room, and we?—”

“Danced together,” he interjected, his smirk deepening.

“Yes, that too,” Violet replied, flustered. “I suppose all of it together made for a pleasant evening.”

“Pleasant,” Nicholas repeated her words. He stepped a little closer, his dark eyes catching the moonlight. “Is that the word you would use to describe it?”

“Yes,” she said quickly though her voice wavered slightly. “Why? What else would it have been?”

Nicholas hesitated, his gaze searching hers for a moment longer before his smirk returned.

“Pleasant,” he said, echoing her earlier word with a deliberate lightness.

Her breath hitched, unsure if he was teasing her or being sincere. “Well, then,” she said, her voice steadier now, “I’m glad we’re in agreement.”

“As am I.”

Their gaze locked together again, and Violet felt a gush of emotion. What was it that he brought out in her? She did not have a name for it. But it felt more intense than anything else she had experienced before in her life.

Violet took a half-step back, needing the space to steady herself. “I should start planning tomorrow. There’s so much to do and so little time.”

Nicholas nodded, his gaze still fixed on her. “I have a feeling that you will manage just fine. But in any case, if you require my assistance, you may reach out.”

“Thank you,” she said softly. He was being encouraging towards her, yet another facet of his personality that she had not expected him to have.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he quipped. “You haven’t seen how much of a menace the ton can be when gathered under one roof.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

They resumed their walk—now heading back—the silence between them now comfortable. As they approached the doors, Nicholas paused, his hand resting lightly on her arm.

“Violet,” he said, his voice quieter now, “I shall leave you to your planning work now. But remember my offer to you—my help is available if you require it.”

She looked up at him, meeting his gaze. It occurred to her that perhaps he was the reason behind her newfound rising confidence. It was in the small things—like offering help without raising doubt in her abilities to host herself.

“I shall keep that in mind,” she said, ignoring the knot that formed in her chest when he gazed in her direction too long.

He offered a faint smile before opening the door for her, and as she stepped inside, she found herself thinking that the Duke had a positive influence on her in a way that she had never expected him to have.