Page 47 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

Was she being a fool? Was it hopeful, or hopeless? What did Violet even want? To say it was all for Lucy was a fair reason, but it was quickly wearing thin, and she knew that, one day, a time would come when she would have to confront her suspicions.

Hopefully, such a time was still far away because, as things had been going, she very much liked her new life. Why ruin a good thing?

Seventeen

Rhys walked through the back garden of the estate late that afternoon for two reasons.

The first reason, and the one that he would give should anyone ask, was because he needed the fresh air. He had been cooped up in his office all day, and with the sun just now beginning its descent towards the horizon, with the air cool and crisp, and the time perfect for a leisurely stroll without the fear of sweating, why not take advantage?

Yes, a perfectly acceptable reason…

The second reason was one that he preferred not to consider too closely, even if he knew deep down that it had influenced his decision far more than the previous reason.

It was at this time, every single day, when Violet and Lucy would stroll together through the garden and towards the border of the estate. Right now, he could see them across the way, beyond the hedges that made the garden’s fence, walking hand in hand as they crossed the green fields and enjoyed the beauty that was the setting sun.

Even at a distance, Rhys heard Lucy’s laughter, as he heard Violet’s. The little girl had certainly grown much these past few weeks, coming into herself in a way that he might have once thought impossible.

Rhys did not join them on their walk, nor did he intend to. While he was steadily growing closer to Lucy, rather enjoying the moments they spent together, he did not want to interrupt her and Violet’s time together. Really, he just liked to watch, to know that they were happy.

What was more, that they were happy made him happy.

Might he be happier if he joined them? Might he be happier if they welcomed his company? Likely they would, but Rhys hesitated at such a notion… and the reason for that was one that he refused to pause on, to think about at all, or risk it seeping into his consciousness for the fear that it might take hold and become real.

I merely wish for them to have time alone. That is all…

“It is a rather lovely view, do you not think?” The voice came from behind Rhys, and he started in surprise.

“Oh, yes. Very lovely,” he said awkwardly as he turned from watching Violet and Lucy. “A gorgeous sunset.”

It was Miss Beaumont who had spoken. She stood just a few feet down the path, her hands folded behind her back, and a rather coy smile on her face that was just a little wicked and far too amused for Rhys’ liking.

He’d had little to do with Rose since she had moved into his home. That was not to say that he avoided her, and he did not think that she was avoiding him. It was merely that they had no real reason to spend time together.

And while Rhys might have liked to have assumed that she was intimidated by him, as so many were, the look she gave him quickly dismissed such a notion.

“I was not speaking of the sunset,” Rose said.

Rhys was careful to maintain a neutral expression, not wanting Rose to see that she had caught him in the act. While she could make all the implications that she wanted to, it meant nothing to him and did not prove anything.

“How are you settling in, Miss Beaumont? I have not had a chance to⁠—”

“Rose,” she cut him off, sure to smile as she did. “Please, call me Rose. I think you will find it rolls better off the tongue.”

“Rose, then,” he said. “As I was saying, how are you settling in? I have not had the chance to ask you. I hope you have been made comfortable?”

“Oh yes, very much…” Still with her hands behind her back, she sidled up next to him, and where he resisted the urge to look across the way at Violet and Lucy, she watched them obviously. “And as you have not checked on me, I do not believe I have thanked you, which is an err I ought to correct.” She looked at him. “Thank you, Your Grace. For everything.”

“Think nothing of it. Violet insisted, and I was happy to oblige. Truly, I am glad that you are here, and I know that Violet is.”

“Oh, she is that,” Rose said. “I do not think I have ever seen her so happy. So, again, thank you.”

“It is not my doing…” Rhys resisted the urge to gaze across at Violet, focusing instead on Rose. “Lucy is who you ought to thank.” A soft smile at the thought. “They are good together.”

“They are,” she agreed.

She said nothing for a moment, happy to go back to watching Violet and Lucy walking across the field together. But as she watched them, she held onto that wry smile, and Rhys sensed that Rose was far from making her point. She had not approached him so they could exchange pleasantries, and he braced himself for whatever it was that she wished to speak of.

“It is a rare thing to see Violet so happy,” she continued after a few moments of silence. “In truth, I had worried for a time that my sister had forgotten how.” She laughed and shook her head. “I know that might seem strange to some, but happiness is not guaranteed in life, and there are those who do not think that they even deserve it.”