“And now you believe that it is lost to you forever.”
While Violet did not love Lord Ferrard, this conversation still pained her, and she’d need to examine those reason once she was alone.
Ferrard sat silently, staring out over the sea. Violet wasn’t certain if he was in deep contemplation and weighing his decision or formulating an argument to prove that he was not wrong.
“It still does not change the fact that I should marry soon and hope that I’m blessed with an heir.”
“Then I pity the poor woman who becomes your wife for she will never have your heart, or even respect, but simply be a duty.”
Lord Ferrard straightened and stared at her. “Pity my wife? I assure you that my wife will receive all the care and benefits of my station.”
“That will be a warm comfort when she knows you’ve not married for love or even affection.”
“I may love her one day. It can grow.”
Violet rolled her eyes. She knew that it was impolite to do so, but she didn’t care, especially when Lord Ferrard was being so utterly stubborn and foolish.
“You have an argument with my logic. Surely you understand my need.”
Violet studied him and gave deep consideration to everything that he had said and came to a conclusion. “I do not understand, Lord Ferrard. And yes, your logic is flawed.”
Her statement must have taken him by surprise because he turned and studied her, questions in his sapphire eyes.
“Your father’s injury was unexpected, his recovery not as anticipated, and you were suddenly put in a position in which you needed to make decisions that you believed are best for your family, coupled with the need to keep the situation from the gossips in theton. It wasn’t so long ago when everything turned on its head and you’ve not allowed yourself time to simply pause and take a moment to think matters through. You’ve been reacting, Lord Ferrard, not analyzing the situation for what it is. When people react without thought, often mistakes are made and then they continue to compound.”
For the longest moment, he simply stared at her, and Violet could not read in his eyes what he may be thinking. It was rather unnerving, and she suspected that she’d angered him, but Lord Ferrard was making an important decision for the wrong reasons.
“You think me a fool?”
“You’ve been a gentleman who cares very deeply for his family, and your future heirs, and there is nothing foolish about your concerns.”
He settled back and stared out at the sea, silent, and left Violet to wonder if perhaps she should have held her tongue, but how could she remain silent when he was making mistakes that could lead to his misery, and the same for the poor woman he decided to marry. While many ladies and misses were raised not to expect much from marriage, Violet would hate to be in such an arrangement, especially since it was the wife who relinquished all control and what little freedom she may have enjoyed to a husband who might only care about producing an heir.
“Foolish in that I allowed panic to guide me?” he asked after the longest of moments.
“Perhaps,” she agreed.
“I can assure you that I don’t usually behave in a foolish manner, but perhaps the new situation has caused me to panic. I’ve not allowed myself to pause and reflect upon a future that would be beneficial not only to my family but myself. I reacted to what was expected of me, and necessary to the future.”
“Such can happen with an unexpected, sudden change in circumstance,” she acknowledged without judgement. No one can predict how they would react in any situation. People may claim to know how they’d respond, but nobody knows for certain until the moment is upon them.”
“However, I should no longer put off my duty,” he said in a quieter tone.
“Is that what you’ve been doing all of this time, or was it simply you hadn’t met the woman you wished to make your bride?”
He turned and looked at Violet. “I’d not found her.”
“Then keep looking, Lord Ferrard, or your future will be sorry indeed.”
He leaned over and nudged her shoulder, much as her siblings had done in the past. “Nobody has called me a fool before, other than Liam.”
“I believe you called yourself a fool, Lord Ferrard,” she returned.
“Yet, you did not disagree.” He leaned in, eyebrow arched as if he were challenging her to disagree.
Violet looked into his deep sapphire eyes. “No. I did not.”
His grin widened.
