Daphne seemed quite taken aback by her friend’s questions. “I did not probe too much. I had assumed that it was quite a normal thing for him to be gone, but I am quite doubtful of that now with how you’re reacting. Did you not know where he was?”
Violet flushed immediately, mentally chastising herself. She had let on more than she wanted.
“No…” She struggled to come up with a believable explanation. “Of course, I knew. It’s just that he has not found the time to write to me yet, so I was naturally curious.”
Daphne continued to observe her friend, brows furrowed.
“Then why did you begin your inquiry by asking me if he was in London?” she shot back. “If you knew about his whereabouts.”
“I do not see the point of this line of questioning.” Violet shifted uncomfortably in her seat and focused her attention back on the burning fire. “Besides, it was an innocent question. I merely asked how he was doing. You need not blow it out of proportion like this.”
“You’re growing defensive.” Daphne raised an eyebrow. “Now, I really suspect that something has gone awry.”
Violet looked up, irked. She wanted to tell her friend off for questioning her so much, but when she saw the concern on her features, she stopped herself—her irritation melting away.
Violet took her time to respond, her fingers twisting in her lap. “I am not sure where to even begin.”
Daphne’s frown deepened. “Did the two of you have an argument? Is that why he’s gone away to the other residence?”
“No, there was no argument,” Violet answered simply. That much was true at least. She swallowed hard before admitting the second part of her confession. “He… well, he simply left.”
Daphne stared at her, uncomprehending at first. “Left?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly. “What do you mean he left?”
“He said—” Violet’s voice broke, and she had to take a moment to steady herself. “He said we should live separately. That he couldn’t—” She stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
Daphne’s expression shifted from confusion to shock and then to anger. “He left you? For what reason?”
Violet shook her head. “He claimed it was his fault. That he wasn’t… suited to this life.”
“You meanmarriedlife?” Daphne said, her mouth hanging open. “That sounds absurd—surely you see that too?”
“I suppose he grew bored,” Violet admitted out loud for the first time. Just saying it was enough to make a knife twist at her heart all over again.
“Bored ofyou?” Daphne got up, visibly riled up.
“Please sit down,” Violet said, her cheeks flushing in mortification. “I am confiding in you as a friend. The last thing I need is for you react like this, even if it is for my behalf.”
Daphne drew a long breath and sat back down—though the anger on her face was still visible.
“Did he tell you himself that he was bored, or is this something that you have thought of on your own?” she asked.
“He did not have to say; it was implied.” Violet went back to gazing the fire. “He said that… well, that he missed what his life was like before we got married and that he could not adjust therefore he must leave.”
Daphne gasped loudly at that. “I do not believe this.”
“I have no reason to lie to you,” Violet muttered.
“I must apologise.” Daphne tried hard to compose herself again. “I did not mean to imply that I am calling you a liar. Just that this behaviour feels very uncharacteristic of Nicholas.”
Violet frowned. “Does it?” Truthfully, she found herself questioning what his real personality was. He had shifted so suddenly—and cruelly—that she had a hard time making sense of what was real and what was not.
“I assure you that the Nicholas I know would never do something so crass as outright leaving his wife because he has trouble adjusting,” Daphne defended.
“Oh, I am not sure of that. Perhaps he missed his rakish ways, and I was simply not enough for him,” Voilet’s voice was devoid of any emotion as she spoke.
“Don’t speak about yourself in that manner,” Daphne chided immediately. “I am sure there is more to the situation here than he is letting on. Despite his rakish past, he is a man of principle. I know this because Ambrose has always spoken very highly of him—and knowing my husband, that is not something to be taken lightly.”
Violet chewed on her lip. She did not really know how to respond to her friend. Conflicting thoughts swirled her mind again.
