“Compelling is an understatement,” Isadora added, grinning. “How on earth do you keep your wits about you, Violet?”
Violet groaned softly, covering her face with her hands. “I despise both of you,” she muttered.
“We are only pointing out the truth,” Daphne grinned. “If nothing else, I imagine your wedding night was perfectly splendid. A man like Nicholas must have made quite an impression.”
“My wedding night?” Violet repeated. She remembered how she had spent it alone in her quarters. What was so splendid about that?
Daphne froze for a fraction of a second, as if she had given too much away.“Oh, nothing. I only meant—well, never mind.”
Violet tilted her head, her confusion deepening. “But what did you mean?”
Daphne opened her mouth then closed it again, clearly searching for a way out. “Nothing, nothing. I meant nothing.”
Strange.It was not like her to act in this manner. Still, Violet did not press any further.
The three friends continued to catch up until it was time to leave.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality, Violet,” Daphne said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “We’ll write soon, and you simplymustvisit us in Greymont when you can.”
Isadora followed suit, her movements hurried. “Yes, we’ll catch up more another time. Goodbye, Violet!”
Just as they left, she was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Graves, who approached with a silver tray in hand.
“A letter for you, Your Grace,” he announced, presenting it with a slight bow.
“Thank you, Mr. Graves,” Violet said, taking the envelope. She recognized her mother’s elegant handwriting immediately and felt a pang of both relief and apprehension.
My Dearest Violet,
It has been far too long since we last saw you, and I find myself missing you terribly. Your brothers and I are eager to hear all about your new life at the estate. If you are able, do consider visiting us soon—we would be overjoyed to have you here.
With all my love,
Mother
Violet read the letter twice. She missed her family, of course, but the thought of returning to her childhood home now, as a married woman and duchess, filled her with unease. How much had she changed in these past weeks? And how much more would she change before she felt fully herself again?
Folding the letter carefully, Violet placed it on the table beside her and leaned back in her chair. There was no question of declining her mother’s request, of course—she would have to visit soon. But the thought of doing so with Nicholas at her side was an entirely different matter.
Oh, it’s going to be so different.
Violet sat in the library, her book resting open on her lap. Though her eyes skimmed the pages, her mind wasn’t truly on the words. Daphne and Isadora’s teasing lingered in her thoughts.
She sighed, running a finger along the edge of the page, when the sound of footsteps caught her attention.
The library door creaked open, and Nicholas stepped inside. His gaze swept the room before settling on her. He arched an eyebrow, his expression both amused and curious.
“Violet,” he greeted, “back in the library, I see.”
As he came into view, his eyes swept curiously across the book that lay open in front of her. “May I?”
Violet nodded.
He picked the book and examined its title. A smirk was already beginning to play on his lips.
“I really do not mean to pry of course. Just… curious to see if you were reading yet another one of your scandalous books.”
Violet’s cheeks flamed instantly, and she snatched the book from his hands as though caught red-handed. “Of course not!” she said quickly, glaring at him.
