Page 31 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

“Which will change.”

“In time,” Violet said sharply. “But there is no rush. We ought to encourage her to discover who she is, how she feels about her new world as she sees fit. And we will be there to help her along the way.”

Rhys’ lip twitched, and she saw him stiffen. “I understand that you wish to nourish her, Violet, and I understand your concern. But what Lucy needs right now is safety and structure. She needs to be shown that she is cared for.”

“She needs love,” Violet said with a hint of frustration. “That is how you show safety.”

“Love is all well and good,” Rhys said through a clenched jaw. “But love does not put food on the table. It does not keep the wolves at bay.”

“What wolves?” Violet laughed mockingly. “Are we under attack?”

“Metaphorically,” he snapped. “You know—” He caught his tongue, groaned, and rubbed his eyes. “You know very well what I mean. I am doing this for Lucy.”

“No,” Violet started before she could help herself. “You are doing this for you. As if you need to prove that you can. As if you need to demonstrate that you are capable of keeping her safe because you could not—” Then it was Violet’s turn to hold her tongue.

As she did, her eyes widened, and she was filled with dread and shame. She had not finished her thought, but the wounded look on Rhys’ face told her that he knew exactly what she was about to say. He leaned back as if struck, and the proud, posturing stance he had held onto since joining them disappeared. He slumped down in his chair, defeated.

“Rhys…” Violet tried to find his eyes. “I am sorry, I did not mean…”

“No, no,” he said, speaking over her, but with no real strength. “You are right. I… Forget about the governess, Violet. You do as you think is best. I will likely end up making things worse.”

The tension in the room shifted once again, a most awkward and weighty thing. Rhys looked down at his empty plate, utterly broken and depressed. Lucy sat stiff and terrified, and Violet looked pleadingly at the duke, desperate to apologize, but not knowing what to say.

That was awful, Violet. He is only trying to help!

“Oh good, the food is here,” Rose said suddenly. “I am famished. Lucy…” She laughed awkwardly. “I bet you are too.”

Of course, Lucy said nothing.

Nothing was said as the food was served, but that awkward tension remained. And once the plates were filled and they were left to eat, Rhys suddenly stood.

“I just remembered something,” he said, unable to look at Violet. “I… you three should get to know one another better. I will only get in the way.”

“Rhys…” Violet said, not knowing what to say or how to say it. She just looked at him, praying that he might see how sorry she was.

Besides Violet, Lucy attempted to reach for her plate, but she was too far away from the table. Violet did not notice because she was far too focused on Rhys. That was when Rhys did something that she did not expect.

He stepped around the table, and before walking away, he walked in behind Lucy’s chair. There, he took it by the sides, lifted it effortlessly, and placed her closer to the table.

“There,” he said with a soft smile. “We cannot have you going hungry.” He looked down at her for a moment, the smile holding, even as the sadness behind his eyes drowned him.

And then he left, leaving behind that same awkward tension.

“Well, that was certainly… something,” Rose said as soon as they were alone. “There never is a dull moment with you, Violet. Let that be said.”

“Is he upset?” Lucy asked, which had Violet gasping.

“What? No. Of course not.”

“Good,” Lucy said as she reached for some toast.

Violet sniffed back tears as she watched the little girl eat. To think that from that heated discussion, she had thought to be worried about Rhys. She really was special.

As for Violet? She knew that she had done the wrong thing. Perhaps her intentions were right, but that did not make it any better. The irony too was unmissable; it had been Rhys’ intentions that concerned her, while perhaps she should have been more aware of her own.

I need to do better. And not just for Lucy, but for Rhys, too…

Eleven