Page 3 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

Violet exhaled, ignoring the sinking feeling that appeared in her stomach. She was certain that everything would be fine… or she wanted to believe that.

Unfortunately, Violet had little reason to trust a duke, or anybody of the peerage for that matter. After all, men of their ilk were the reason that her life had fallen into such squalor, as they cared not for people, only what they could squeeze from them. Money. Self-interest. That was their primary concern, and she doubted that His Grace was any different.

With that in mind, Violet chose to stay with Lucy. When the duke arrived, he would see how well the children were cared for, and then he would leave. At least that was what she hoped.

The duke arrived ten minutes later.

When Violet saw him walk through the front doors, she decided that he was exactly what she expected. His stature was tall and physically imposing; among the children, he looked like a giant. Hair as dark as burned wood, a face that was made up of hard lines and straight edges, all perfectly symmetrical in a way that was handsome, but a little too much. And as he walked, it was with a gait of importance and superiority.

Typical. He does not want to be here, nor does he pretend otherwise.

Only then, as he looked around the warehouse, Violet noticed his eyes. They were deep gray, but they were not menacing. In fact, as he observed the children playing, it appeared as if the sight saddened him… as if he truly felt grief for what he was witnessing.

“Who is that?” Lucy asked.

“Nobody,” Violet said quickly. “He is not important.”

She tried to distract herself by reading to Lucy but could not stop watching the duke. He walked through the warehouse with Miss Wilks, who spoke with animation as she pointed out various facilities.

His path brought him closer to Violet and Lucy. Then, he looked right at her… no, not at her. It was Lucy whom the duke seemed to notice. He found Lucy watching him, his stare held, and then a soft smile found his lips that Violet had not expected.

“And who is this?” the duke asked as he approached them both; his voice was deep, and Violet felt it through her chest.

“This is Miss Violet Beaumont,” Miss Wilks swept in. “One of our carers. She is a volunteer, loved by all the children. Few work as hard as she does.”

“No, I meant this little creature.” He stood over Lucy and Violet, and not once did he look away from the small girl. “Good afternoon,” he said to Lucy as he leaned forward. “What is your name?”

His voice, while deep, was surprisingly gentle. And still, those gray eyes of his appeared sad for reasons that Violet could not explain.

Typically, Lucy did not respond. Rather, she grabbed at Violet’s skirt and pulled it over her face as if to hide.

The duke chuckled. “She is a shy one.”

“Not shy,” Violet found herself saying, as if she needed to defend Lucy. “She just does not trust easily. And why would she trust someone who has not earned it?”

The duke started in surprise, and he finally looked straight at her.

It was not done in anger at her tone, but with amusement. He frowned as he looked at her, and Violet found herself scowling in a way that she did not mean, but could not help. Lucy continued to hide, and Violet felt a need to protect her.

“Violet!” Miss Wilks cried in embarrassment. “Forgive her, Your Grace. She is just protective of the children, as we all are.”

He studied Violet a moment longer. His gray eyes not so much looking at her, as through her. Violet’s heart raced, determined not to break her stare. While the duke had done nothing wrong, she knew his type. She had experienced men like him her whole life, and she refused to give him any sense that he had power over her.

Then he glanced at Lucy, who was still hiding. The smile on his lips returned for a moment as he watched her… a shadow passing behind his eyes, the sadness still there as if he wanted her to see it.

“Clearly, these two are inseparable,” he said finally, as he stood back up. “I admire that.”

Miss Wilks looked warningly at Violet, and Violet grimaced with embarrassment. They were supposed to be making a good impression, and Violet had done the exact opposite of that.

Very well done, Violet. Next time, slap him across the face, why don’t you?

“Let me show you the drawing area…” Miss Wilks gestured for the duke to follow her. “As I was saying, we are stretched rather thin here, but we make do.”

“And as I have said, if money is what you need, you will have it.”

“If only that would solve everything,” Miss Wilks sighed. “While I do appreciate any that you can offer, it will simply not be enough. It is this building; it is beyond saving. I fear that soon we might have to close our doors, forcing the children to be shipped off to other orphanages. Or worse, left on the street…”

Their voices slowly faded as they walked away.