“Your face,” Violet said, giggling. “You have a very moonstruck glow to your eyes.”
This was not good. Violet was Louisa’s closest friend, so it was possible she was the only one to notice. But what if she wasn’t? What if Robert was thinking the same thing and was holding onto hope that she would return his affection?
“Well, I have not, in fact, been kissed senseless.” Though the thought was beginning to take up more space in her mind than she cared to admit. “We have developed a comfortable friendship.”
Violet’s smile dimmed. “Friendship?” She chewed her lip as she always did when deep in thought. “I suppose that is better than strangers living in the same house, which was my earlier fear. But when I saw you today, I thought for sure . . .” Her brow furrowed farther, making Louisa grin.
“Well,” Louisa said, drawing out the word. “I did not say the duke did not want to.” She could at least throw her sister-in-law a bone. Violet was the sweetest person on earth, and Louisa wanted to make her happy.
With this, Violet perked back up. “Oh?”
Louisa only nodded as she took a sip of her tea.
Violet narrowed an eye, raising her cup to her lips. “And what about you?”
“I said that I would perform my duty when the time comes, but outside of that, there would be no kissing.”
Violet choked on her tea, sitting up as she sputtered. Louisa ran over to her side, gently rubbing her back as Violet caught herbreath. “You haven’t . . .” She looked her up and down. “You are married in name only?”
“By choice of my husband, yes.”
“But why?” Violet’s voice rose with each question.
“Goodness, Violet, had I known you were going to ask such impertinent questions I would have skipped our visit today.”
Violet’s eyes fell flat. “You are the most outspoken person I have ever met, and now you choose to be taciturn? I feel that is rather unfair.”
Louisa went back to her seat. “Fine. I told him I do not want a romantic marriage, and he has agreed to respect that. Though there will be children in our future, it is not happeningnow.”
“So, the duke is open to the idea of love, but you are not? This is all so unexpected.” Violet leaned back into her seat, shoulders slumping. “I do not understand.”
“You know I do not want love, Violet.”
“But I had thought you would change your mind.”
“Well, you were wrong.” But as she said the words, her thoughts betrayed her, bringing to mind Robert leaning against a doorframe, teasing his lips with the tip of his spectacles, the top buttons of his shirt undone about his strong neck. And then a barrage of images pounded into her head. Him sighing as she toyed with his hair, him rescuing her foolish dog, him cradling her as she cried, him letting her into his intimate thoughts . . .
“You are such a liar,” Violet said, breaking Louisa from her trance. Louisa glanced up to see Violet grinning as she bit into her biscuit.
“Excuse me?”
“Your hazy gaze gives you away.”
“I was only wondering if I had . . . planned the meals for the week.”
Violet pursed her lips. “If that lie makes you sleep better at night.”
“Well, despite your horrid nosiness, my husband wishes to invite you to dinner this week. Which is why I was pondering the meals.”
Violet’s eyes widened. “He invited us to dinner?”
“Yes. Even though you are being unbearable.”
Violet grinned. “Yes. Of the two of us,I’mthe unbearable one.”
“I’m glad we can agree on that point.”
“Henry has been worried, you know.” Violet’s eyes lost their playful countenance.
