Page 51

“Out of respect, I’d like for Cain to speak first.”

Good girl.

“You know I’m not interested in marriage.” I glance at him, shaking my head, “no.” Violet closes her eyes for a beat, and I want to stab myself for hurting her.

But we can’t do this. Not like this. Not under a threat disguised as a gift.

“That’s our answer, Sir.”

“Don’t you two know each other? That’s about as good as it could be.” Alistair leans back in his chair, glancing back and forth between us.

“While we run in the same circles and have mutual friends, Cain and I don’t really talk much.”

“Alright.” He flips through her form. “I had one other note here. Are you sure you don’t want to be introduced? You don’t have any preferences?” She shakes her head.

“For some people, for people like me, marriage isn’t about love. It’s about connections and stability. That was always my uncle’s plan for me… Besides, it’s not like I have the resume to be picky.” I bite the inside of my cheek. I want to chew up and spit out that negative self-talk of hers. Richard’s still hurting her even when he’s not around to speak to her himself.

“Well, she is a humble one.” Alistair smiles at me, then gives Violet a nod, “don’t sell yourself short. From what I hear, you’re the most accomplished nurse in our infirmary, as well as the performer everyone in town looks forward to each week. Plenty for me to work with.” She nods, then takes a sip of her water.

“Sir, may I be excused? I know the request was for the evening, but I am tired and still have a lot to do.” Alistair leans back and frowns, but nods.

“Meet up with my assistant, she’ll have your room assignment.”

“Already have, Sir, I moved my things this afternoon.”

My blood is boiling.

My heart pounds against my rib cage as my temperature rises.

She’s moved her things.

Fuck.

“What do you think, Cain?” My glare darts to Alistair, his words coming right after the door shuts behind my Flower. “Should I make a wife out of her?” His sickening smile makes me retch.

He knows something.

This isn’t a threat disguised as a gift.

He’s dangling my prey in front of me and daring me to grab her.

Do it. Make her yours. Confiscate her freedom.

Yeah, I might do that, inner monster.

Violet

Chapter 22

Well, that was awkward.

It’s awkward enough to discuss my future with Alistair; it’s a whole other thing to have Cain there.

Rejecting me, again. I could have done without that.

You shouldn’t be upset over something you always knew would happen.

With my pitcher of warm water in hand, I turn the corner to the long corridor of sleeping quarters. Caius, Alistair’s oldest son and assistant, called them bedrooms. But they seem a lot more like cells. Wood stoves are set every two doors on the left wall; nothing is insulated down here. The wall on the right has the bedrooms. And at the end of the hall, guarding the only way out, stands our warden. That’s not what they call him, but that’s what he is. We don’t know his name. He smiles and nods, then locks the door behind me.