Page 24 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

Despite her assumptions, that anger did not come.

“You truly are one of a kind, Violet.” He continued to frown, but it was with humor. “Most young women, especially those who were in a position as you were, would be thrilled for this change in their affairs. More than that, they would be desperate to do whatever they must not to ruin it.”

“I am not most young women,” she said. “Nor do I care if I ruin anything. I did not marry you because I yearned to be a duchess. I married you⁠—”

“Because you had no other choice,” he cut her off. “It might be nice to act as if you did this for Lucy only. Oh, and I am certain it makes you feel so warm and cozy on the inside. But do not forget, your situation was dire—one of destitution—and had I not come along, you would be living on the street right now.”

“So, I owe you? Is that it? Should I prostrate myself before you in gratitude? I knew you wanted something. I knew that all of this was just so you could hold what you did over my head.”

“Not at all,” he said simply. “I am merely reminding you of the facts. This self-righteous moniker you have attached to yourself is rather tiresome, as is your obvious distrust of me.”

“I will trust you when you give me a reason to do so. I will happily point out that you have not done so yet. Nor do I think you ever will.”

He exhaled as if tired. “Very well then, have it your way. I am offering you help, Violet. The adjustment to the life of a duchess is not easy, and it will do you well to have someone to guide you. But if you do not want it, I will not force the issue. Go it alone, or not at all. The choice is your own.”

“I…” Violet was caught by surprise at how gracious he was being. It must be a trap… I refuse to believe that he is so good and kind. There is no way. “I am here for Lucy,” she repeated stubbornly. “Anything outside of that is white noise and not my concern.”

“Is that right?”

“It is.”

He said nothing at first. Watching her scowl at him, he wore a knowing smirk, apparently amused by how she behaved. It infuriated her further! Again, if only he might rise to anger and reveal himself as she had expected from the beginning, it would have made all of this a lot easier.

Am I wrong? Is he really what he says…

Violet faltered for a moment, very nearly letting down her guard because she knew that she was being completely unreasonable. That was until Rhys spoke once more.

“And what of when we spend time with Lucy?” he asked, still with that smirk.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, as you demanded of me, when we are around Lucy, we are to act as a happily married couple, are we not?” Her eyes widened as she realized what he was saying, and he continued to look rather pleased. “Now, I know that I will not struggle with such a thing. As a duke, most of my life has been spent feigning joy and enthusiasm for situations and circumstances that I do not wish to be party to. But for you…” He shrugged. “I do wonder if you might give us away.”

“I…” Violet’s heart skipped a beat. “I will be fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asked her. “I think back to every conversation we have had, and I cannot recall one that did not proceed with some amount of hostility. I do wonder if you have it in you to pretend otherwise.”

“I will be fine,” she repeated sharply. He raised an eyebrow, and she grimaced. “When Lucy is with us, I will be sure to treat you…” She forced a smile. “I will treat you amicably.”

“Amicably? I treat the staff amicably, Violet. As my wife, I would expect more.”

“What do you mean?” She fidgeted nervously in her seat, and when she tried to meet his eyes, she was forced to look away. He was far too proud of himself, eager at having upset her. And despite her efforts to spurn him, she hated how a single look could undo her so easily.

“Oh, a kind word,” he said simply. “A smile, here and there. Although, if a moment arrives where I am forced to kiss you⁠—”

“Why would you do that?” she cut him off. “When would such a moment ever arise?”

He shrugged. “I cannot see the future. But I need to know, if I do need to do such a thing, that you will not push me away. Such an action might ruin the illusion completely.”

Violet’s heart started to race. Rhys looked plainly at her, his eyes flicking to her lips as if he might just test his words then and there. And Violet, wanting to hate the idea, wanting to warn him off the gesture, found that her will to do so was not nearly so strong.

Her eyes flicked to his lips. Her own lips tingled. She dared to imagine what a kiss like that might feel like, admitting with some regret that it would not be nearly so bad as was possible. His lips… those big hands on her waist… perhaps one kiss would not ruin everything?

That was when she saw him smirk, a chuckle escaping his lips, and she realized what had happened.

“You are teasing me,” she said, her face dropping.

“I am,” he said with amusement. “Or perhaps testing you. Do not worry, Violet, I doubt a moment will come when I will need to kiss you. Although, it is nice to know that you are not entirely against such a thing.” He leaned back, and he could not have looked prouder.