The look she gave him was priceless—equal parts exasperated and caught off guard. “I beg your pardon?”
“I thought that I made myself clear,” Nicholas said, setting his wine glass down with an audible clink. “I have made the journey here from my study to share a meal with you. You’ve been lamenting my absence, or so you claim. Why not make this worth my while?”
She blinked at him, her cheeks coloring as her wit caught up with his challenge. “You wish for me to… make this worth your while?”
“Yes.” He flashed her a grin.
“And there is still something left for me to prove here? You act as though my mere presence isn’t enough.”
He tilted his head, his dark gaze steady on her. “Forgive me for having standards, Violet.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly, and Nicholas fought the urge to grin. She was flustered, yes, but she was also fighting back—not immediately giving in or getting offended by his attempt at provocation.
“I have to say, you are the only man alive,” she said, recovering quickly, “who could conduct a conversation that is both flattering and offensive at the same time.”
“A talent, I agree,” he replied smoothly, “But you seem to have some… hidden talents of your own.”
If this… whatever this was between them… was a game, then at least she was shaping up to be an entertaining partner.
Violet rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t quite hide the small smile tugging at her lips. He watched her for a moment longer, surprised by how much this simple exchange pleased him.
Dinner had always been a nuisance for him, an empty ritual to be avoided. But tonight… tonight there was life at the table.
“Why are you really here?” Violet asked suddenly.
Nicholas paused, considering her question as he helped himself to a generous serving of roast. When he finally looked up, his expression was placid. “Would you believe me if I said I simply wished to see you?”
She arched a brow, clearly not fooled in the slightest. “No.”
That got a chuckle out of him. “Clever girl. Then perhaps this was your lesson number one in being a Duchess.”
Her face scrunched up in confusion for a moment. “I am not sure if I understand, Your Gr?—”
“Nicholas,” he corrected her swiftly. “And there is nothing complicated here to understand. You remember that I told you that youmuststart to act like a duchess as well. That is to say, you must become bolder in your demands in manner that suits your title.”
She nodded, “The matter with Mrs. Smith, you mean?”
“Everything,” he stressed. “Consider this a lesson in practicality. If you wish to be treated like a duchess, then you must speak like one.”
Violet blinked. Their eyes locked together for a moment, but she was the first one to look away. “I…” She cleared her throat loudly. “Well, I did not know thataskingwas all that I needed to do. I could not have predicted that.”
“Then perhaps I’m simply unpredictable,” he countered, his tone light. “Does that unsettle you?”
He expected her to say yes, but she surprised him yet again.
“No, not at all. If anything, I find it… refreshing.”
A rare warmth spread through Nicholas’ chest at her answer though he quickly masked it behind another sip of wine. “How so?”
“Well, for one thing,” she replied, meeting his gaze directly, “I am not theonlyone here who is a curiosity.”
Nicholas chuckled, the sound low and genuine. “No, I suppose you are not.”
If you wish to be treated like a duchess, you must first start acting like one.
Nicholas’ words had been repeating themselves in her head ever since dinner time. Now in the privacy of her chambers, she stared back at her reflection in the mirror.
The woman that stared back at her did not appear to be any different than the Violet that she had known all her life. But there was no denying the fact thateverythinghad changed. She was a duchess now, and with that came responsibilities.
