“I’m in the middle of something,” he said, gesturing toward the papers on his desk. “Is this urgent?”
“I… yes, I believe it is.”
Nicholas leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms as he regarded her. “Considering the persistence of your knocking, I suspect you already know the answer to that.”
“I wouldn’t have persisted if it weren’t important.”
“Important enough to disturb my work?” His brow arched.
“Yes, well, you did not show up for dinner therefore I had no other choice.” She folded her arms neatly in front of her chest.
“I wasn’t aware that my presence at dinner was compulsory. I do have other matters to attend to, Duchess.”
Violet’s lips pressed into a thin line, her hands tightening in front of her. “Other matters that prevent you from sparing even a moment? Surely whatever you’re doing in here isn’t so dire that it requires complete isolation.”
“Surely you can manage one meal without me, Duchess.”
She stared at him, her brow furrowing slightly. “What exactlyareyou doing that’s so important?” she asked, glancing toward his desk. “I realize now that I have hardly seen you for days.”
His jaw tightened at the comment. Yes, that was by design. It occurred to him that she did not seem to realize that he was avoiding her.
“Work,” he replied.
“Work,” she repeated skeptically, her eyes narrowing. “But it is rather odd, isn’t it? You won’t join me for dinner, you dismiss me at the door, and now you’re claiming you’re too busy to even explain yourself. One might start to wonder.”
Nicholas stared at her. Amusement flickered in his dark eyes, a reluctant smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
As much as he did not wish to admit it, she looked quite…endearing,standing at his door like this.
“And what is it that one mightwonder, duchess?”
He hadn’t intended to engage her like this, but the way she stood there was difficult to resist.
“Tell me, Violet,” he said, his voice softening just slightly. “What is it you’re so determined to find here?
Her eyes widened at the question, and for a moment, she seemed genuinely caught off guard. “I…” She hesitated, her gaze darting toward his desk before returning to him. “I came to speak to you about the ball.”
“The ball,” he repeated, straightening.Of course. “And that could not wait till morning?”
She shook her head, stubbornly. “Need I remind you that it wasyouwho offered your help?”
That he had. With a dramatic sigh, he stepped aside, motioning for her to enter. “Very well. Since you’ve gone to such great lengths to secure my attention, let me hear what it is that you have to say.”
Violet stepped inside, her posture still rigid though he noted the flicker of relief that crossed her face.
He returned to his desk, sitting down and gesturing to the chair opposite him.
“I…well…” she flushed. “I just wanted to speak about…”
“Go on,” he probed, feeling his curiosity thicken.
“The ball.”
“And what about the ball?” his tone begun to grow suspicious. Could it be possible that she didnothave something truly important to say?
“Well…”
“How are the preparations?”
