“And how do you…” She paused for a moment to choose her words carefully. “… manage the attention on yourself?”
“Your Grace,” Madame Celine’s voice softened slightly, “there is no need tomanageit. You must revel in it. Your husband clearly understands this. His instructions were specific—only the finest for you. It is rare to see such attentiveness in a new marriage.”
Violet’s cheeks flamed again, and she looked away, focusing instead on the delicate crystals along her sleeve.
“It is very considerate of him,” Madame Celine continued with a small smile. “It is clear that he admires you greatly. And why shouldn’t he? You are lovely, my dear. Congratulations on your marriage. May it be as harmonious and well-fitted as the gowns you wear.”
“Thank you,” Violet could only manage to murmur.
Madame Celine clapped her hands, signaling her assistants to bring in another gown. “Now, if this is the gown you have chosen, shall we show it to the Duke as well?”
Violet shook her head, surprising herself. “No. I wish for it to be a surprise.”
Though she wasn’t sure she entirely agreed with with everything the modiste had said, she couldn’t deny that the thought of Nicholas admiring her was… unnervingly pleasant.
Dangerously so.
CHAPTER 14
“Asurprise?”
The Duke’s tone was full of amusement as Violet informed him that he was not to see what gown she had decided on until it was time for the ball.
“Yes. A little mystery can be good, wouldn’t you agree?” Violet said as the couple walked out of the shop. She seemed to be in high spirits.
He did.
“Well, I suppose I shall have to wait for the grand reveal like the rest of the ton.”
Violet turned to look at him, an uncharacteristically mischievous smile forming on her face. “I will make sure that you’re the first one. Exclusive.”
If Nicholas did not know any better, he would assume that the Duchess was flirting with him. But—perhaps unfortunately—he did know that she would not do such a thing.
The mood between them shifted as they approached their carriage.
He noticed it before she did—the curious glances, and the murmured words that followed. Nicholas was accustomed to being noticed—it came with the title, the power, the name. But this time, the weight of their attention wasn’t on him.
It was on her.
“Is that the new Duchess of Bernight?” a voice whispered from somewhere nearby, low but pointed enough to carry.
“I heard she trapped him,” another added. “Some sort of scandal, wasn’t it?”
Nicholas’ jaw tightened, feeling an overwhelming surgepass over him.His eyes flicked to Violet, watching her closely. She was walking a step ahead, her posture poised. She did not immediately show her reaction, but he was perceptive enough to notice the way her shoulders tensed and the faint falter in her step before she corrected it.
She was trying to hide it, keeping her gaze to the floor as she climbed into the carriage.
“Violet,” he said, following to her side, “look at me.”
She pretended not to hear and looked down at her hands instead.
“Duchess.”
His tone was more demanding now.
“Let me make something clear. If anyone did the trapping here, it was me.”
Her lips parted slightly, startled by his words.
