There was another niggling concern though. The implication of some or other scandal attached to the Duke had not been missed. But, Violet decided, it didn’t bother her.
Not if it would get her out of this house and away from her parent’s tyranny.
She could withstand anything really, if she just kept her head down and her mouth closed. Violet knew that much about herself.
The doctor had seemed nice enough. His smile had been warm, full of encouragement. The duke was stern, cold perhaps, but that was to be expected she supposed.
Hopefully, she could fulfil her duty and make him a good wife.
Maybe Violet would find a small amount of peace or even happiness if she tried hard enough to win a sliver of his approval.
CHAPTERFOUR
The night of her wedding,Violet waited nervously in her new bedroom for the duke to come to her.
The marriage ceremony had been brief, arranged by special license with only her parents and Doctor Hamilton in attendance. According to her father, peers of the realm could not be bothered to wait on banns and so forth, once the contracts were concluded.
Violet had barely had time to say farewell to her sisters before she was whisked away to her new home.
She found she couldn’t fault her new husband for avoiding a drawn-out wedding breakfast with her parents, as he was clearly above such things.
Violet stared with amazement at the beautifully appointed room. The bed was huge, taking up the centre of the large chamber, soft silken curtains embroidered with a Chinese pattern falling from the posts.
She still couldn't believe that she was expected to sleep here amongst all this luxury. Even at nineteen years of age, she had never slept alone. Always she had shared a bed with her younger sister, Henrietta.
Looking around, she took note of the fireplace and seating area, a marble-topped washstand with a delicate glazed pitcher and basin, as well as a writing desk neatly positioned in the corner.
Violet snorted somewhat indelicately at the sight.
As if she had anyone to write to.
Although that might change, she mused hopefully, now that she was a duchess.
A knock sounded on the interconnecting door and she started, jumping to her feet as she watched the door open.
Doctor Hamilton stepped inside.
“Oh, good evening doctor,” stammered Violet, confused by his presence in her room.
“Please, call me Richard, Your Grace,” he smiled. He stepped into the room and wandered over to the vanity, arranging the small pots and glass containers into a neat row.
“How are you settling in, is the room to your satisfaction?”
“Oh, everything is quite wonderful, thank you,” Violet whispered, staring at his tall lanky frame that towered over her even in the large room.
Richard eyed her form speculatively, dragging his gaze over the ruffled and be-ribboned nightdress that she had found hanging over the dressing screen ready for her.
Violet flushed under his inspection, wondering why he was here, and not her husband.
“I suppose you are curious as to why I am here?”
Violet nodded, sinking into a chair as Richard paced towards her.
He reached out and lightly grasped her chin, tilting it up so that he could gaze down at her face.
“You are quite lovely, my dear. Such expressive eyes.”
He tilted her face from side to side, inspecting her from all angles as Violet blinked up at him in bemusement.
