Is there something more to Nicholas’ attentiveness?
No, there couldn’t be. He was just putting on appearances for the sake of her family. She was sure of it.
She pushed the thought away, determined not to let Leopold’s words get the better of her. It was a marriage of convenience—nothing more, nothing less.
When they finally departed for Bernight, Violet was still absorbed in her thoughts for most of the carriage ride.
“You have been awfully quiet this entire time, Violet,” Nicholas broke the silence. “Something on your mind?”
Violet snapped out of her thoughts, looking back at him in horror.Yes, you.“Not at all, Nicholas. I am merely tired from the activities of the day.”
If he was disappointed with her answer, he certainly did not let it show. Instead, he nodded at her solemnly. “I see. You did exert quite a bit of effort with that mallet. I was surprised you even knew how to play.”
“You must underestimate me, then. A woman can be just as good at the sport as a man,” Violet said, bristling at his comment.
“Oh, no.That’s not what I was doubtful of. You proved that much. Just that…” He paused for a moment, a look of curiosity forming in his eyes. “… I suppose I did not expect a wallflower like yourself to be interested in a sport. You said yourself that your main interest lies in books.”
Violet felt herself growing more irked by the moment. In a way, it wasgoodthat they were having this conversation. Her previous delusions about him being attentive and it making her heart flutter were swiftly dissolving. He was still insufferable.
And that was good because it was familiar territory.
“Nicholas,” she started, “here I am, perfectly capable of both enjoying literature and wielding a mallet. Are you suggesting that one cannot do both?”
“Not at all,” Nicholas replied. “Merely that it’s an unexpected combination.”
“Perhaps that’s because you’ve only bothered to notice one side of me,” Violet said sharply, surprising herself with the boldness of her words.
“Oh? And what side might that be?”
“The one you’ve already decided upon,” Violet said, folding her hands primly in her lap. “The quiet, reserved, wallflower side.”
Even in the dim surroundings of the carriage, Violet could see a sudden curiosity flare up in his eyes. “And you are certain that this is the side of you that I have decided upon?”
Violet shot him a look.
“It would be better if you answered that question yourself.”
The air between them suddenly became tense, and he leaned forward towards her. His gaze was firmly on her now. She tilted her chin upward, determined not to show how much his proximity affected her.
“You have a point there, Duchess. Perhaps I misspoke.”
Was Violet hearing his correctly? Nicholas was admitting thathehad misspoke?
“You… misspoke?” came Violet’s rather startled reply.
“You seem surprised.”
It is because I am.“It’s just rare for you to admit to such a thing is all,” she said instead. “Pray tell. What did you mean to say instead?”
Nicholas took his time to answer, his lips curving into a smile. “It would be surprising for a wallflower to have interest—and skill—in a sport as you did. But since it is you, I should not have been so quick to judge.”
Oh?Violet was unsure if she was meant to take his words as a compliment or not.
“After all,” he continued, “I’ve had weeks to observe you. You rarely behave in a manner that I expect.”
Once again, Violet found herself wondering if this was a good or not.Why can he not state things clearly?
“Then, perhaps you need to pay me more attention,” she said instead, “for you to accurately predict my behaviour.”
