Page 37

The thought alone made her stomach drop. The reality could not be more opposite. Not only was she not with child, she was also now without her husband.

“No, Mother, I’m not with child. And I’d appreciate it if we could talk about something else,” Violet said, more firmly now.

Arabella relented with a small nod. “Very well, my dear. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Leopold stepped forward, his grin softening. “Pay no attention to mother. She is just eager to be a grandmother and cannot wait till the day arrives. We’re just glad to see you again.”

“And I, you,” Violet replied, grateful for the change in tone.

But the reprieve was short-lived.

“Where is the Duke?” Jasper asked casually though there was a pointed undertone to his question. His sharp gaze didn’t miss much.

Violet felt herself growing nervous. She had been dreading this question, knowing it was inevitable. “Nicholas… is away on urgent business,” she said, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.

Jasper raised an eyebrow. “Urgent business? At this time of year?”

Violet hesitated, her gaze flickering between her brothers.

“Yes. He had matters to attend to… estate matters.”

“What sort of matters, exactly?” Leopold jumped into the conversation.

She opened her mouth to reply but found herself stammering instead. “I… I didn’t ask for details. It’s not my place to question his responsibilities.”

Her brothers exchanged a glance. Jasper leaned forward. “How long has he been gone, Violet?”

Violet’s chest tightened further. Great, they had decided to interrogate her. “A few days.”

“A few days,” Jasper repeated, his suspicion now apparent. “And he didn’t tell you when he’d be back?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I suppose neither of us deemed it necessary.”

“Not necessary?” Leopold almost laughed. “Mother, tell us, did Father not let you know how long he’d be away for as well? It seems a bit odd to not share that information with your spouse.”

Violet interrupted him, growing annoyed. “I do not see the point of reading so deeply into this.”

“We are your brothers,” Jasper said. “Just because you are married now does not mean we stop worrying about you. And frankly, the way you’re avoiding answering clearly makes me wonder if something is wrong. He didn’t… do anything, did he?” His voice took on a protective edge towards the end.

“What? No!” Violet exclaimed, abruptly. The force of her reply startled even herself. “Nicholas has done nothing. This is just… how things are sometimes.”

Jasper wasn’t convinced. “Forgive us if we’re not entirely reassured. You don’t look like yourself, Violet. You look…” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “… a bit worn.”

“I did not want to point it out but I noticed that immediately as well,” Leopold added, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Has he hurt you in any way?”

“I said he hasn’t,” Violet interrupted, her voice firmer now. She clenched her hands at her sides, forcing herself to meet their concerned gazes. “This is between me and my husband. It’s not for either of you to interfere.”

Her declaration silenced them momentarily, but the tension lingered. She did not wish to make a spectacle of her life—even if it was only her close family members. She did not have the energy either to muster up a convincing enough lie.

She desperately hoped that they would drop the topic.

“I think—” Jasper opened his mouth to argue, but Arabella interjected before he could speak.

“Enough,” she said gently but firmly, stepping forward and placing a hand on Violet’s shoulder. “Jasper, there is really no need to be so insistent. It is quite rude, actually.”

“I’m not being rude,” he defended. “I’m just curious. He seems to be away indefinitely by the way Violet is describing it. Is that normal, you think?”

“Curiosity has its place, Jasper, but this is not one of those times,” Arabella insisted. “You must learn to discern that. We are here as guests at her house, and it does not bode well for us to question her like this.”

Violet exhaled quietly, grateful for her mother’s intervention though the tension in the room remained palpable. She glanced at Jasper, who raised his hands in mock surrender.

“I’ll leave it alone—for now. But I am not entirely convinced by your explanation. We care about you, and you’ll forgive us if we’re a little protective.”

“You’re more than a little protective,” Violet muttered, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

Right now, it was bordering on intrusive, but she did not say that out loud.

“We wouldn’t press if you weren’t so evasive. You could dispel the curiosity by being more clear with your answers,” Leopold added.

Arabella sighed, her hand still resting lightly on Violet’s shoulder. “Enough, boys. Violet is capable of handling her own marriage. You forget that she is a duchess now.”

“And what good is being a duchess if she is not being treated well?” Jasper argued.

“I’m being treated very well,” Violet affirmed. “Nicholas looks after me just fine. He’s just busy with matters that require his attention. That’s all.”

Or he did look after her. He was gone now. She did not even know if she was going to see him again.

Arabella moved to Violet’s side, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “My dear, you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Matters of the heart are rarely simple.”

Violet’s composure wavered at her mother’s words. She had not expected her to say something like that.

“It’s not what you think,” she said quietly though her voice trembled. “Nicholas hasn’t hurt me. It’s just…”

It took her a moment to settle on the right word.

“Complicated,” she said finally. That is what it was. Complicated. From the start to the finish.

Arabella gave her a knowing look. “Marriage can be like that. And yours is still very new.”

Violet exhaled a sigh. “This is between Nicholas and me. Please respect that.”

“I don’t like it, but if that’s what you want…” Leopold frowned.

“It is what I want.”

Arabella nodded approvingly, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Your brothers mean well, but they would do well to remember that not all battles are theirs to fight.”

“I will seek your help if I ever need it,” Violet conceded. “But for now, let this be.”

Arabella wrapped her arms around Violet. “You’re stronger than you think, my love,” she murmured in her ear so that her two sons couldn’t hear. “You’ll find your way.”

Violet closed her eyes, allowing herself a brief moment of solace in her mother’s arms.

Arabella pulled back gently, her hands resting on Violet’s shoulders. “Now,” she said with a bright smile, “let’s not dwell on matters that can’t be solved in a single conversation. We came here to spend time with you, not to interrogate you.”

“I would appreciate that.” Violet nodded furiously.

Even Leopold gave in to a reluctant grin. “Maybe we can make most of the situation. With the Duke gone, perhaps you can let us be privy to where he keeps the estate’s best brandy. If not, I might be forced to snoop around myself.”

“Leopold,” Arabella scolded lightly.

Violet managed a small laugh, grateful for the shift in tone. “I can have the staff arrange for a glass for you.”

Jasper—who had been watching her carefully—stepped closer to Violet. “Do not think that I will let this matter ago so easily, but I’ll allow myself to be distracted—for now.”

Arabella linked her arm with Violet’s and began leading her toward the drawing room. “Let’s sit and have some tea,” she suggested warmly.

She squeezed her mother’s hand back, grateful for the love that surrounded her, even as questions about her marriage lingered in the corners of her mind.

For now, she let herself enjoy the distraction, knowing that the weight of her troubles would return soon enough.