“Leopold is right. The Duke must be used to ruining innocent ladies,” Jasper frowned, glancing at his sister’s direction.
Violet felt as though she was suffocating. When didthisbecome her reality? She had never expected herself to be the diamond of the season, but deep down, she had always known that she would find a decent match for herself. Now, her only two choices were an unlikely marriage with a rake or a lifetime of spinsterhood.
Arabella looked as though she would faint at any moment. She looked away from her daughter, her expression pinched. “What will become of my daughter now? I have seen this play out dozens of times before. Even if we act most prudently, the whispers will persist. We cannot simply wish this away.”
Jasper slammed his fist against the side table, the sound reverberating through the room. Seeing their mother like this was his final straw. “If the Duke does not come here to take responsibility, I’ll challenge him to a duel. A man like him must be taught a lesson, and I’ll gladly deliver it.”
“Jasper!” Arabella’s voice wavered with alarm. “You must not think emotionally. There is a lot at stake.”
“And what of it? I can best him in a duel, Mother. You must not think any less of me because he is higher than me in rank,” Jasper sneered.
Violet clutched the fabric of her dress tighter. Her nervousness had reached its peak, and her pale green eyes shimmered with embarrassment at having landed in a situation like this to begin with.
“This isn’t necessary,” she said softly though her voice was barely audible. A part of her had already resolved herself to her fate. “The Duke will not come.”
Men like him rarely bothered themselves with the consequences of their actions.
Leopold shook his head. “Violet, I understand that you feel disheartened, but we will find a way to get out of this mess. He might?—”
A sharp knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and everyone froze.Who could that be?They had not been expecting any visitors, especially not after what had happened. Everyone in the room appeared to be thinking the same thing as Violet.
But their curiosity would be resolved as only a moment later, the butler appeared at the threshold.
“The Duke of Bernight has arrived,” he announced.
“The Duke is here?” Arabella nearly jumped up, looking towards her children with nervousness. Violet’s own heart twisted with disbelief. This was the last thing she had expected him to do.
“Show him in,” Jasper commanded, balling his fists.
“Jasper, do not fight him,” Violet pleaded with her oldest brother. She knew that he could have a temper on occasion, but she did not want the situation to worsen any further.
“I will handle him,” he assured her as calmly as he was able to with his anger still simmering below the surface.
The butler disappeared, and moments later, Nicholas Havenford, Duke of Bernight, stepped into the room. Hispiercing blue eyes swept across the room, landing briefly on Violet before shifting to Jasper.
Nicholas inclined his head in greeting.
“Your Grace,” Jasper said tersely, “I believe there is a great deal for us to discuss.”
The Duke stepped further into the room. Despite the air of hostility, he managed to maintain a sense of authority.He must be used to getting into trouble like this,Violet thought to herself.
“I am aware of the circumstances.” His tone was perfectly even as he responded. “And I have come to resolve the matter.”
Jasper crossed his arms over his chest. “And how, precisely, do you intend to do that? You have tarnished my sister’s reputation.”
“I have not.” The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composure. “I have never, and will never, ruin a lady’s reputation. What happened was an unfortunate accident, but I take full responsibility. I am here to propose a solution.”
Violet’s breath hitched, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her skirt. She didn’t dare look at him.
Arabella stepped forward, her voice trembling. “Your Grace, with all due respect, my daughter’s future hangs in the balance. We cannot afford half-measures.”
“I understand that, and I assure you that I am not going to take the matter lightly. That is why….” He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over hers. It made her cheeks heat up. “… I intend to marry Lady Violet.”
Violet’s head snapped up, her wide eyes meeting his for the first time. “M-marry me?” she blurted out. Her reaction was extreme but far from the worst one.
Like a cascading cacophony, the room soon erupted into voices. Jasper was the loudest.
“Your Grace, while your intention to marry my sister is noble, you must not blame me for being suspicious,” Jasper said. “What assurances do we have that you will treat Violet with the respect she deserves?”
