Page 30

T he big night had finally arrived. The grand hall of the Bernight estate was buzzing with the conversations of elegantly dressed guests, and the sound of glasses tinkling filled the air, punctuated by bursts of laughter.

Violet stood at the edge of the room, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she observed it all.

Things were off to a good start.

Everything was in place—the flowers, the orchestra, the menu. She had spent days agonizing over every detail. Yet, as she surveyed the room, a knot of unease tightened in her stomach.

What if something went wrong? What if the ton dismissed her efforts as mediocre or, worse, deplorable?

“Violet,” a low voice cut through her thoughts. She turned sharply to find Nicholas standing beside her. He was dressed in a polished suit, and her gaze lingered for a moment before she snapped it back to meet his own.

“You are here,” she said, relief washing over her at the sight of him.

His brow lifted in mild amusement. “Where else would I be? I told you that I would make myself available.”

Violet flushed, lowering her gaze. “I just… I wasn’t sure if you’d come. I suppose it was just another one of my concerns about tonight.”

Nicholas frowned slightly, stepping closer. “Well, I am here now in front of you, so you can cross that off your list of concerns.”

“At least there’s that,” she added, nervousness lacing her voice. She could not help herself.

“There is no need to be so nervous. Look around you, Violet.” He gestured to the room. It was a full house, and almost all the guests had arrived. “You’ve outdone yourself. The room looks stunning, and the guests seem thoroughly impressed. You should be proud.”

She looked up at him, her nerves easing slightly at his words. “Do you mean that?”

“I am not known for saying things that I do not mean out of courtesy,” he reminded her sharply. “So please, try to relax now.”

She nodded, toying with her hands. “The most intimidating part is still to come,” she admitted after a moment. She could feel his gaze on her, studying her intently.

“Enlighten me on what that is.”

“Interacting with the ton,” she passed him a sheepish smile. “Can you remain by my side through it?”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow at her bold request, his dark eyes searching her face for a moment. He looked almost taken aback, as though the idea of her asking for his presence was entirely unexpected. She did not know what compelled her to ask either, just that tonight she needed him by her side.

“That is…”

Before he could respond fully, the sound of familiar voices drew her attention. She turned to see her brothers, Jasper and Leopold, making their way toward her.

“Jasper! Leopold!” she exclaimed, excited at the sight of them.

“Well, don’t you look radiant,” Jasper said, his tone affectionate as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. Leopold followed suit, his grin wide as he glanced around the room.

“I have to say that I am quite impressed, little sister,” Leopold admitted, his tone laced with surprise. “I didn’t think you had it in you, Violet.”

“Leopold!” Jasper scolded lightly though he couldn’t hide his own amusement. “Don’t ruin her moment.”

Violet laughed softly, shaking her head. “I’ll take that as a compliment, though it’s hardly just my doing. The staff worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

“She is being humble,” Nicholas interjected smoothly, his deep voice cutting through the conversation.

All eyes turned to him as he continued, “Your sister was tirelessly involved with every stage of the planning. From selecting the flowers to finalizing the guest list, nothing escaped her attention.”

Jasper’s gaze shifted to Nicholas, “And you, Your Grace? Did you lend your hand to this?”

“Only as much as the duchess allowed me. She’s quite capable on her own, as you can see.”

The tension between the two men lingered for a moment before Jasper nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

As the brothers moved to greet other guests, Violet turned to Nicholas. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For… for being here.”

He inclined his head slightly, his dark eyes holding hers for a beat longer than necessary. “I suppose you gave me no other choice.”

The evening continued smoothly with guests mingling and complimenting the event. Violet began to feel a flicker of pride in her accomplishments, and her nerves began to fade ever so slightly.

She had just finished speaking with an older couple when a trio of elegantly dressed ladies approached her.

“Your Grace,” one of the ladies said, sweetly, “this ball is… charming.”

The slight pause before the last word was enough to make Violet’s smile falter though she quickly recovered.

“Thank you,” she replied. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves.”

“Oh, indeed,” another lady chimed in, her tone no less pointed. “It’s always refreshing to attend an event that feels so… intimate.”

The implication hung in the air, and Violet’s cheeks flushed. She knew what they meant. The guest list wasn’t as extensive as some of the grander balls held by the ton, but that was by design. Still, their veiled criticism stung.

Before she could respond, Nicholas appeared at her side, his expression cool but his eyes sharp.

“Ladies,” he said, his voice smooth but edged with authority, “I trust you’re finding everything to your satisfaction?”

The ladies exchanged glances, their smiles faltering under his gaze. “Of course, Your Grace,” the first woman replied, her tone less confident now. “The Duchess has certainly put in… considerable effort.”

Nicholas’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Indeed, she has. And I expect her efforts will set a standard for others to aspire to.”

The ladies’ expressions shifted, their discomfort evident as they mumbled their agreement. Nicholas’ gaze didn’t waver, though. It was enough to send them retreating.

As they disappeared into the crowd, Violet let out a shaky breath, her fingers brushing against Nicholas’s arm in a silent gesture of gratitude.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said quietly.

“Yes, I did,” he replied simply, his tone firm. “They were trying to get the upper hand, and you were far too polite to notice.”

“Oh, I did notice,” she replied, smiling now.

“Fine. Then you were too polite to say something in return to them.”

“I suppose I am lucky that I have you here with me, then,” she said, surprised by how easy the words came to her.

“I suppose,” he said, jaw tightening. “Nobody insults my wife.”

The words sent a warmth rushing through her though she quickly masked it with a small, polite smile.

There it was again—that lingering feeling that she got whenever he did something to stand up for her.

“Well, thank you.”

Nicholas’s dark eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary before a voice from the crowd called his attention. He straightened, his jaw tightening slightly as he turned toward the source of the interruption—a lord waving him over.

“Excuse me. It seems I am needed elsewhere.”

Violet nodded, her chest inexplicably tightening as he left her side.

His absence felt immediately noticeable. She watched him go, in awe of his stride and how he seemed to command the room.

“Ah, there you are!” Leopold’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to see her brother approaching, a glass of wine in hand and an unmistakable smirk on his face. “Finally, I’ve caught you alone. You seem to be very in demand this evening.”

“Leopold,” she greeted, a small smile forming despite herself, “have you been keeping an eye on me this entire time?”

“I cannot deny that. Watching you in action, dear sister, is quite entertaining. I must say, you’re handling all of this remarkably well. Acting like a proper duchess now, aren’t you?” He grinned, raising his glass as though to toast her.

“Acting? Oh, you are mistaken, Leopold, I am a duchess.”

“Yes, yes,” he said, taking a sip of his wine. “You have proven that much. You’ve really taken to the role, I have to say. Even keeping that husband of yours in check.”

Her cheeks warmed slightly at the mention of Nicholas.

“He’s been very supportive of me.”

“How endearing. Supportive ?” Leopold mused, his smirk deepening. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like something else entirely.”

“Then you must get yourself a pair of glasses,” she replied, knowing full well that her brother loved to tease her.

“Oh, come now, Violet,” he said, conspiratorially. “I saw the way he looked at you just now. Like you hung the stars in the sky.”

Violet resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Trust her brother to make everything sound more dramatic than it had to be.

“You’re imagining things. Perhaps it would do you good to focus your attention elsewhere,” she replied.

“And miss this blossoming love between the both of you?” he grinned, “Absolutely not.”

“Leopold!” she hissed, cutting him off as she glanced around to ensure no one else could hear. “Must you always be so insufferable?”

“It’s my duty as your older brother,” he replied with a wink, clearly enjoying himself. “But it looks to me as though maybe the two of you have not admitted it to each other yet.”

“I am doing just fine, thank you,” she insisted. Yes, the two of them were getting along, but to say that there was blossoming love between them would be too much.

“I can see it in the way you look at him—and the way he looks at you. It’s quite endearing, really.”

“I do not look at him in any particular way,” she countered, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “And if you keep speaking so loudly, the entire ton will think the same ridiculous things as you.”

Leopold raised an eyebrow, clearly undeterred. “And why would that be so terrible? You are married after all. The ton loves a good romance.”

She sighed, casting her gaze toward the floor in exasperation. It would be so terrible because it was not true. Getting her hopes up would be heartbreaking, and Violet did not wish to tread down that path.