Rhys chuckled.“It’s excessive but, like you said, you deserve happiness.If it makes you happy, I will be glad to buy you all the sugar in England.”
She grinned at his indulgent tone.No one would guess at the huge heart that beat beneath his chest.Perhaps that was why he safeguarded it so closely behind his tough exterior.Could her heart be won with the promise of all the sugar in England?Yes.She had only needed this strong, clever man and the promise of a sweet cup of tea to lure her heart out of hiding.The last year had destroyed every expectation of what she thought her life would be like.But it wouldn’t destroy her.She rubbed her hand over her belly as the babe within fluttered.I promise to give you a good life.She would build a new idea of what the future could bring.Something more hopeful, something sweeter.
Rhys’s hand moved next to hers.“Is it moving?”
She nodded and moved his hand to the left, where she had just felt the flutter.
He rubbed little circles over the spot, and the baby responded with a small kick.“Amazing.”Rhys’s voice was full of wonder.“Do you think the babe can hear us in there?”
“Perhaps?I’ve never really thought about it.”
His brow furrowed.He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything and then snapped it shut.But he continued to rub circles over her belly.
Violet stretched.“I probably should go home.My staff will be worried.Perhaps you and Max want to walk me home?Or perhaps we can walk to the park first?”
“How about breakfast first, then a walk?I don’t have bacon, but I could probably put together thick slices of bread slathered with jam.”
“Sounds perfect.”
*
Four days later,they returned down Brook Street from Hyde Park in what had become a habitual morning walk.March winds had blown in early spring weather.A brisk, cold breeze blew her cloak open and threatened to tease out pieces of hair from under her bonnet.The pavement was wet from rain the night before, and her shoes were damp from walking through the wet grass in the park, but Violet didn’t care because her hand was held warm in Rhys’s grasp, his fingers threaded with hers.Max trotted next to her on the other side.The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, teasing them with its elusive warmth.She took a deep breath and marveled at the happiness that filled her chest.
They turned into Hanover Square.“Will you come in for breakfast?”she asked.
Rhys shook his head.“I must meet Zeke this morning about neighborhood business.”He tugged her to a stop and bent to kiss the tip of her nose.“I will come see you later.”
She smiled and nodded.
“Violet!”
They both turned to find the Duke of Lavensham striding toward them, his expression as dark as a thundercloud.Next to her, Rhys stiffened.Oh dear.Violet dropped his hand and dipped into a curtsey as the duke came to stop in front of them.“Good morning, Your Grace.”
The duke’s glare bounced back and forth between her and Rhys.“I came to see you this morning to address the troubling rumors I have heard about you.I can see clearly that they are true.”The last word came out in a hiss of contempt.
Violet raised her chin to look the duke directly in the eye.“I have no idea what you are speaking of.I am simply out for my morning walk.”
“You little hussy.My son has been in the ground for barely a month.The utter disrespect you are showing by whoring yourself with this man.I am putting a stop to this immediately.”
He reached out to grab her arm, but Rhys was faster, grasping the duke’s wrist.“Touch her and die,” he growled.He stepped in between them, and his hand tightened, pushing the duke back several steps before letting him go with a sneer of pure contempt.
Max let out a menacing bark, snapping his teeth in warning.The duke looked over at the dog.“Is that my dog?”
“When you mistreat things under your care, they get taken away,” Rhys said.He vibrated with barely controlled rage.
“Who are you?”the duke demanded.
“Someone who knows your secrets.”His voice was soft and menacing.“Do not think you have the right to come near her.”
Violet had no doubt that Rhys would kill the duke right here in the square for insulting her.Or that the dog would attack.She put a staying hand on Max’s head.
“Gentlemen, this is all a terrible misunderstanding, fueled by gossip.”She put her other hand on Rhys’s arm.“He is my father-in-law; he may come by and see me whenever he wants.But I must insist you be civil, Your Grace.As you can see, I am clearly in mourning.”She gestured down at her black dress.“I have not done anything to tarnish your son’s memory.I think perhaps we should have this visit another time.”She curtsied again.“Good day, Your Grace.”Then, with her head held high, she walked past the sputtering duke.
Rhys and Max caught up to her in just a few strides.His hand gently grasped her elbow.“You should have let me kill him,” he muttered darkly.
“I thought it would either be you or the dog.”She bit down on her lip and glanced up at him as they continued to walk toward her house.“Is he still there?”
Rhys glanced over his shoulder.“No, he is storming off down the street.”His eyes narrowed with a gleam of something dangerous.“He can’t speak to you like that.I will pay him a visit.”
