Curious.Yes, that was the right word. He was curious about her.
When the butler announced him, Nicholas noted the way Violet froze, her fork suspended mid-air. For a fleeting second, her expression was one of shock, as if the most absurd thing had happened.
He moved to the table, carefully taking a seat across from her.
“You’re staring, Duchess,” he said, a hint of amusement playing at the corner of his mouth. Then, with an easy grace, he reached for the bottle of wine that rested nearby. “Do you mind if I pour?”
“Not at all,” Violet managed, her cheeks growing rosier to match how flustered she appeared, “Pardon me… I just… didn’t expect that…”
Nicholas allowed himself a smirk as he poured his own glass of wine, waving off the footman who moved to assist. “No need to stutter, mydear.What is there to hesitate about between a husband and wife?”
The blush that crept up her cheeks was as satisfying as it was amusing. Nicholas leaned back in his chair, cradling the wine glass between his fingers as he regarded her across the table.
“You seemed to prefer hiding away in your study,” she said, her tone polite but tinged with disbelief. “Forgive me for assuming that tonight would be no different.”
“Hiding?” Nicholas repeated, arching a brow. “That is an… interesting choice of word. Besides, Duchess, you seem to forget that you were the one who requested my presence at the dining table tonight…”
Her blushed deepened, and she looked away for a moment, only to return more composed. “I do remember. I just did not expect you to listen to me. In fact, I had assumed that avoidance was a cornerstone of our… arrangement.”
The corner of his mouth lifted at her quick retort. He had expected her to shy away from him, to become flustered or intimidated. Instead, here she was, matching his tone with a boldness he hadn’t seen before.
Interesting.Must be something in the water.
“Perhaps I’ve grown weary of my own company,” he replied smoothly, swirling the wine in his glass before taking a slow sip.
“Or perhaps…” Violet said, taking her time to draw out the words, “Now… I really do not wish to assume anything, but perhaps… you’re just curious about mine.”
“Curious about your company, you mean?” Nicholas paused mid-sip, meeting her gaze over the rim of his glass. “That would be a first. I’ve been called many things, Duchess, but rarely curious.”
That was not the full truth, and he knew it. But he was not about to give away his true stance just yet. Their little dance had only just begun.
She tilted her head, and her green eyes seemed to challenge him. For all her outward appearances of a wallflower, something flickered inside those eyes.
“Then what would you call it, Your Grace? I would be interested in hearing what your thoughtsmay be…”
“An obligation,” he said at last. “After all, I couldn’t let it be said that I refuse to share my wife’s company.”
For a split second, Violet’s face seemed to fall. But she recovered just as quickly. “Ah, I see,” she said, her tone as composed as ever. “So, you’re here out of duty, then? I must say that really is quite noble of you.”
“It is,” he replied, leaning back further in his chair, watching her with open amusement.
“Yes, of course. How foolish of me to not make the connection sooner,” she added, her tone laced in mock affront. “Here I was considering all manner of ridiculous things… like you had arrived only to critique my table manners.”
“Critique?” Nicholas repeated, laughing now. “Why do you think I would concern myself with such a thing? I’m certain they are impeccable.”
“They are, thank you very much. Though it’s hardly my fault I’ve had no one to impress with them.”
“I am worried what they’re teaching young ladies these days.” He shook his head, still laughing. “What gave you the impression that it is table manners that impress a gentleman?”
Violet looked up at him, knitting her eyebrows together. “Is it not?”
“There are other metrics to consider, Violet.”
“Well then… I am certain I would excel at those as well.”
There wasdefinitelysomething in the water. Someone had replaced his demure, wallflower wife with a bold, confident lady.
“What is the point of suspense? Go on, impress me, then.”
