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Chapter One

“ I pronounce you man and wife, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,” the priest decreed loudly for all those in the church to hear.

And it is done… although there was never a chance it would not be. And while I cannot find it in myself to feel joy, perhaps I can take solace in the fact that at least I am not expected to fall in love…

The announcement echoed through the church, and those in attendance clapped politely, a few even sniffing back tears as if this was a most happy occasion. Lady Violet Hawkins, now the Duchess of Aldworth, knew better.

Still, she smiled politely as she met her husband’s disinterested gaze. She had met him a few times before, but not so many times that she was used to him. And thus every time she looked at him, she found it hard to reckon with how she felt.

The Duke of Aldworth was, by any measure, an attractive man, and Violet had heard many a lady gush about him—always with an air of romanticism because from afar, he was a most perfect specimen.

Far taller than her, his shoulders were broad, his chest and arms were thick, and his presence was powerful and commanding.

He had dark features, the lines of his face sharp and angular.

Yet there was a softness to his eyes that, if she did not know any better, she might have described as welcoming and warm.

Alas, I know better than that. A lesson learned in real-time, for who could have guessed the man he truly was?

“That went well,” she said softly, still holding his hands, smiling for her friends and family because she needed them to believe the lies told about this marriage.

“Indeed,” he uttered, not returning her smile, almost appearing bored because he no doubt wished for this to be over with.

“Congratulations, Your Grace.” Her older brother, Daniel, stepped beside her. He extended a hand for the Duke to shake, which the Duke clasped firmly. “And welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, Lord Grayhill,” the Duke responded in a steely tone. His voice was deep, rumbling in his chest. “And I welcome being a part of it.”

“And you, Sister…” Daniel turned to her, smiling gently because he suspected what this marriage was, even though she had not told him.

I did not wish to burden him, for he was so pleased when he arranged this courtship—a much-needed one that our family was desperate for.

“You look beautiful, by the way.”

The words did much to make her feel better.

As tragic as this marriage was, at least she could agree that she looked the part.

A duchess now, her life was changed forever.

Not the way she had dreamed it would when she was a little girl and used to picture this moment in her mind, but changed nonetheless.

And Violet, ever the one to do as she was bid and not complain—her sisters were better at that, anyhow—would aspire to make the most of a most wretched affair.

“We had better get going.” The Duke still held her right hand, gently tugging her to follow. “We are expected.”

“Oh…” She looked past him, through the church, where the guests were now rising to their feet, set on congratulating the happy couple before making their way back to her new home for the wedding breakfast. “Yes, of course.”

Violet was all smiles and thanks as the guests came for her. Her husband’s hand was cold against hers, but she held it nonetheless, staying by his side and accepting the applause as it rained on her.

It was a ruse she needed to keep up for just one day, just long enough so that everyone knew what a blessed union theirs was.

And then, tomorrow, my life will begin for real. Although how that looks… I suppose that depends on me and what I choose to make of it.

And so it was that Violet maintained her sunny disposition, slightly frustrated that her husband was not bothering to do the same, for he was stern of features and disinterested in feigning joy as she was doing.

But then again, that was always his way, for he was not a particularly warm man, or kind and caring, or even nice. In that way, she supposed that she was happy with the arrangement they had made.

A marriage of convenience, this was promised to be, and for that she was glad. Albeit with a twist. A most unique agreement she and the Duke of Aldworth had made upon its conception, unheard of, and surely loathed should it be found out.

One evening is all I need, and then I can put this most horrendous day behind me forever.

“Smile, dear,” her mother, the Dowager Countess of Grayhill, instructed. “You are not at a funeral.

“Mother…” Daniel groaned.

“What did I say!” her mother cried. “She has been a mope all morning, and people are starting to notice.”

“Notice what?” Her younger sister—one of four—appeared out of nowhere. Her name was Eveline, and at sixteen years of age, she was without a doubt the troublemaker of the family. “What are we talking about?”

“Nothing, dear,” her mother assured her.

“Liar.”

“There you are…” Next came Aurelia, another of her younger sisters.

She was nineteen, and while she was not as chaotic as Eveline, she had a nasty habit of baiting their mother, so the two were always fighting.

“Eveline, I was trying to find you. The cake is almost finished, and you said you wished to try a slice.”

“Oh!” Eveline looked around eagerly. “Yes, I nearly forgot.”

“Aurelia…” Their mother looked pointedly at Aurelia. More specifically, at Aurelia’s pudgy arms, for she was plump. Which was the very reason they were always bickering. “Are you sure that having cake is such a good idea?”

“For that, I think I will have two slices.”

“Where is Caroline?” Eveline piped up. “And Iris?”

“I saw Iris a few moments ago,” Daniel spoke up quickly, eager to defuse the situation before their mother and Aurelia started arguing. “She is outside, playing with the other children her age. And Caroline…”

He looked across the ballroom; it was packed with wedding guests, most seated at their tables, while many milled about the room, happily engaging in banter as they drank and ate far too much for this time of day.

“She’s playing the grump.”

“What does that mean?” Their mother followed his gaze, finding Caroline—the middle sister, by age—standing across the room, glaring daggers at the Duke of Eggleton. “Oh no…”

“She will be fine, Mother,” Aurelia insisted.

“She most certainly will not! I…” Their mother made to stand, as if to go to her, only to take note of Violet and her less-than-sunny disposition. “Aurelia. Eveline. Go and check on your sister, please.”

“But—” Eveline started.

“Do it,” their mother snapped. “And no cake!” she then called as Aurelia pulled Eveline across the room and in the direction of Caroline.

Times were that Violet would be the one checking on her younger sister… or keeping an eye on her, as it was.

Caroline was recently married to the Duke of Eggleton—a marriage that was not a happy one, as far as Violet was aware.

It had been arranged under scandalous circumstances, and while Caroline had gone into the union willingly enough—for she had no choice—she refused to feign happiness for the sake of decorum.

Hence she glared at her husband as if she meant to attack him.

A shame that Violet could not summon the enthusiasm to go to her sister and offer her a kind word and a listening ear, for she knew Caroline would need it. It was, after all, a circumstance that she understood better than most.

This wedding… this entire weekend! A match made for the right intentions. But as the day wears on, I cannot help but wonder if I have not made a huge mistake.

It was the wedding breakfast, held at Aldworth Estate, as this entire weekend had been hosted by her new husband.

It was hours ago now that he had brought her here, greeted by friends and family, sitting with her for a short time as more people came to congratulate them, only to then leave her and not once since check how she was doing.

Violet had not moved since she sat down at the head table. And while a part of her was angry that her husband seemed to be purposefully avoiding her, another was glad for it.

It is not as if I want to get to know him better.

She watched him across the room as he spoke to the guests. Even then he did not appear friendly, more resigned to the expected state of a man on his wedding day. He shook hands and nodded his head. The odd smile, even a bit of laughter.

As a duke, he was well respected, even revered by some, and this was an appearance he took most seriously. But it was also a lie. Or so Violet thought.

“Violet…” Her mother took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Again, if you could just try and smile. Even a little bit…” She offered a smile of her own.

“I know this is perhaps not the marriage you wished for, but it is a good one. Surely, you must see that? And after all the effort your brother put into arranging it…”

“Mother,” Daniel sighed. “Now is not the time.”

“You killed yourself for it,” their mother insisted. “And has she thanked you once? If she has, I certainly have not heard it.”

Violet held her tongue because that was the way she had been raised. But oh how she wished to put her mother in her place.

She should be grateful for what I am doing, not resentful of my less-than-thankful disposition.

This marriage had been arranged as a necessity and no more. Her father, long since passed, had left the family in tremendous debt, one which this marriage sought to lighten. Not eradicate, for the debt was too large, but at least appease the creditors her brother now owed.

At least he was regretful of what he’d been forced to do, apologizing time and again to her while thanking her for taking on the burden.

And it was not as if the Duke was an evil man.

Although there is that rumor about him and his father, who died mysteriously…