“Thank you,” Violet said again, her confidence growing with every word.This seems to be actually working.“Lastly, I will begin meeting regularly with the groundskeeper to review the grounds and the tenant’s needs. I believe improvements can be made there as well.”
The head groundskeeper, who had been standing silently to the side, looked up at this. “I’d be glad to work with you on that, Your Grace,” he said, a hint of approval in his gruff tone.
Violet offered him a small smile, grateful for his agreement. “I look forward to it.”
She turned back to the group, her shoulders square, her voice steady. “I know that these changes may seem sudden, but I believe they are necessary. I do not intend to disrupt what works, only to build upon it. This estate is not just my home—it is my duty, and I take that duty seriously.”
For a moment, no one spoke. The silence stretched on, but it no longer felt intimidating.
Finally, Mrs. Smith gave a short nod, her gaze softer now though still reserved. “Very well, Your Grace. We shall see to your wishes.”
A murmur of agreement ran through the room, and as the staff began to disperse, Violet felt something shift.
The butler offered her a small bow before leaving, and even Mrs. Smith lingered just a moment longer, her expression thoughtful, before following suit.
As the door clicked shut, Violet released a slow, steady breath. Her hands were trembling slightly, but for the first time, she felt it—shehad done it.
She had taken control. And in that moment, she could swear the air in the room was different, as though the house itself had recognized her.
She wasfinallyacting like a duchess.
Outside, a soft knock startled her. The groundskeeper stood behind it, his cap in hand.
“Beg pardon, Your Grace,” he said, “but I wanted to say… the west wing’s been quiet too long. You’re right to open it.”
Violet smiled at him, warmth spreading in her chest. “Thank you.”
As he left, Violet turned toward the window, her gaze drifting to the estate beyond. The staff had listened. EvenMrs. Smith—as stubborn and set in her ways as she was—had complied. They hadseenher.
And that was a victory. Perhaps her first one in this estate.
A week later, Violet was happy to see that the changes were coming along swimmingly.The staff—now that they seemed to actually respect her—were giving her regular updates on how everything was going.
Bit by bit, her confidence was developing. They had already begun to venture into the west wing of the estate, but there was one room in particular that she had saved for last.
The library.
It had always felt…intimidating. Perhaps because it was the one place in the house she held the most interest in or perhaps because of the extensive collection that was housed within it.
But today, with her confidence growing and the house itself beginning to feel less foreign, Violet felt ready.Today is the day.
She inhaled deeply and pushed open the doors, her breath catching as she stepped inside.
Oh heavens. It is even better than I expected.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined every wall. Rows upon rows of books stretched on endlessly, interrupted only by two arched windows. A towering ladder leaned casually against one shelf, a silent invitation to explore what was in the upper reaches of the tall shelves.
Violet moved forward, her fingers brushing against the spines of the nearest books. She tilted her head up, completely captivated. There were works of philosophy, history, and poetry, and she spotted a section dedicated entirely to foreign languages. She felt as though she was in her own personal heaven.
“This might take me a lifetime,” she muttered to herself with a small, delighted smile.
If Violet had known such treasures existed before then, she would have spent all of her waking hours ensconced inside the walls of this very room. The estate had been in the family for over three hundred years, and the collection was clearly a testament to that. The library had obviously been cultivated over generations.
How very, very delightful.
As she ventured toward the corner, something on a lower shelf caught her eye—a small stack of books, unmarked but clearly well-worn. Curious, Violet crouched down and pulled one of them free.
The moment she opened it, her face flushed crimson, and her hand flew to cover her mouth. She closed back the book just as quickly.
