Nicholas stood beside the carriage, speaking briefly with a footman who loaded the last of his trunks. He looked ascomposed as ever. If the conversation they’d had the night before had affected him at all, he showed no signs of it now.
And that frustrated her more than anything.
She wanted to call out to him, to demand an explanation that made sense, but what good would it do? He had made his decision.
She watched him as his gaze flickered toward the house—toward her window. For a moment, her breath caught, and she hastily ducked behind the curtain to avoid being seen—for it would only make the entire process much harder for her than it already was.
But despite her better judgement, Violet could not resist getting another look. When she peeked out again, he was already climbing into the carriage. The door shut with a firm click, and moments later, the horses began to move until they disappeared into the distance.
He was truly gone.
Howhad it come to this? Things had been fine between them. She had thought they were making progress, that they had been growing closer, only to have met an abrupt end.
She did not know whether he ever planned on returning. Or if he ever did, whether they would recover from the blow of this unexpected separation. Her mind raced with the most wicked possibilities. Would he return to his rakish ways? Would she bethe subject of gossip the ton would aim at a lady whose husband was involved with others?
The worst of it all was that she did not know for certain just what had spurred this on. Was it something she had done? Or worse, something she hadn’t done?
Had she beeninadequate—confirming the worst of her fears that Nicholas had simply grown bored of her?
Violet pressed her hands to her temples, willing herself to stop thinking in circles, but it was no use. Her mind wouldn’t relent.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her door creaked open.
“Good morning, Your Grace.” Maria stepped in hesitantly, carrying a tray of breakfast.
Violet turned toward her, blinking as though she had forgotten anyone else existed in the world.
Maria placed the tray on the small table by the window, her movements deliberate and respectful. “Shall I draw the curtains fully, Your Grace?”
“No, thank you,” Violet replied, not looking in her direction. “And you may take the tray of breakfast back with you as well. I’m not very hungry.”
It turned out that having your husband up and leave killed your appetite entirely.
Maria hesitated, her gaze lingering on Violet. “As you wish, Your Grace. Is there anything I can do?”
“No,” she said finally, shaking her head. “Inform the staff that I shall be resting in my chambers today and that I should not be disturbed.”
“Are you all right, Your Grace? Are you feeling well?” Maria was immediately concerned.
How could Violet even begin to explain?No, nothing was all right.Her entire world had been shifted upside down seemingly overnight.
“Nothing to worry about,” Violet lied though it hardly had any conviction. “That will be all.”
The maid looked as though she had more questions, but she refrained from probing further. “Your Grace, please don’t hesitate to call for me.”
As Maria left the room, Violet stood and walked to the window again. The driveway was empty now, and the Duke’s absence began to feel all the more real.
How could she stay here, in this house, and pretend that nothing had changed? How could she face the staff, the ton, and herbrothers and maintain the facade that everything was as it should be?
The next few days passed by in what felt like a complete blur. Days melted together with nights, and Violet did not once step out of her chambers.
Frankly, she did not see any reason to. Nicholas had been gone for days now, and the house felt too large, too quiet without him. She hated herself for missing his presence, especially when she’d spent so much time convincing herself that his absence would be easier to endure.
One morning, Violet sat at her vanity, staring into her reflection but hardly seeing herself. The dark circles under her eyes were unmistakable, her skin was pale from lack of sunlight. She let out a long sigh, running her fingers through her untamed hair.
She could hardly recognize the person in front of her.
The knock at her door startled her from her thoughts.
