CHAPTER 26
“This feels a bit strange,” Violet said as she was escorted into the ballroom by her husband.
Though it was not their first ball together, it felt like a milestone to Violet, nonetheless.
“What’s so strange about it it, darling?” Nicholas spoke with his usual casual ease, but it made Violet’s heart jump ever so slightly.
Darling.
The word was like music to her ears. He had recently begun to call her that, and she could not get enough of it.
Nicholas seemed to take notice of the dreamy look that came over her features, and a smirk formed on his lips as a consequence.
“I forget how awfully adorable you look whenever you’re flustered,” he nudged her gently. “Good to know that I still have the ability to affect you like that,darling.”
Violet glared back at him though her blush only seemed to deepen. “Must you distract me like this? I was trying to make a point here.”
“No, no. My apologies, entirely. Please continue on. I am awfully curious to hear what you may have to say,” he grinned.
Violet never really knew when he was being fully serious and when he was teasing her. Usually, their dynamic seemed to be a healthy mix of both.
Perhaps that’s why it always feels so fresh.Every day, every moment with him was like new. It felt like things between them could never grow stale.
And that was a privilege that Violet had realised she had gottenverylucky with.
“What was it that you were going to say?” Nicholas asked her. That was another thing that she really appreciated about him. He always seemed quite interested in hearing her thoughts, no matter how trivial or how insignificant.
Violet took in the sights around her. The ball that they had been invited to was quite grand, and she could spot many notablemembers of the ton in attendance. It was a place to see and be seen.
“I was thinking that this is our first public appearance where we are not merely pretending to be a couple,” she noted with a smile. To say that they had come a long way would be putting things very lightly.
“Oh.” A smirk spread across his lips. “You might be right about that. Though I’d like to think that ourfirstappearance as a real couple—and not just for show—was at Daphne’s dinner.”
Violet laughed at the reminder. She could not believe just how eventful that night had turned out to be.
“I suppose that counts as well. It was the first time that we admitted that we loved each other,” she noted with a wistful smile.
“And it was the first time that I felt the urge to plough someone’s head through the walljustbecause they dared to talk to you,” Nicholas said, jokingly, but even then, there was a seething edge to his voice.
It made heat stir in her veins. She really did love it when he acted possessive over her. So much, in fact, that she decided to press him for more details.
“You know, I never asked you what exactly prompted you to confess your feelings to me that day. I was just happy that youdid,” she admitted, “but in retrospect, I wonder if it was the jealously that pushed you over.”
“That was part of it,” he nodded. “Though I do feel bad in retrospect. The Duke of Devonshire seems rather harmless.”
“And I cannot believe that you would assume that I would even try to attempt any sort of relationship with him.”
“But he might have with you,” he said, his tone turning a bit dark again.
“I have doubts about that,” Violet laughed.
“Well, then you’re lucky because you do not see the world as I do. But I am set in my ways.” He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “And the one thing I know is that when you value something very highly, you must protect it. At all times from any threats. With your life if you must.”
The intensity in his voice made her quiver slightly, but she controlled her reaction, knowing that they were out in public.
“Your Grace,I should let you know that you would have been the superior choice.” She smiled at him. “In everytimeline. I have only ever had eyes for you.”
They exchanged smiles, but their flirtation came to an abrupt end when Violet saw her family arrive.
