Page 56 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

Once the first of the guests finished arriving, Rhys suggested that they join the ball. The rest of the guests would arrive in time, but they ought to begin enjoying the event and being seen.

She agreed eagerly, and she was not surprised in the least when he took her by the arm and led her inside. In fact, she wanted him with her. Again, while he was there, she felt safe, knowing that tonight would go well and without any worries.

Is this what it is like to rely on others? It is not nearly so bad as I thought.

“Wow,” Rhys said as they entered. “Violet, this is… amazing. Incredible.”

She pretended to dismiss it. “It is not that impressive.’

“It is,” he said. “There are few in the ton capable. Maybe you are more of a duchess than you give yourself credit for?”

While Violet wanted to be humble, she could not deny how transcendent and utterly perfect the ballroom was. She had settled on a theme of spring, simple and effective, and one that was hard to mistake. Thus, the floral arrangements were all colored accordingly, the lighting was a somber orange with touches of brighter yellow peppered throughout, and the music evoked feelings of joy and happiness and starting anew… at least that was what the orchestra had told her.

As well as that, the colors of the gowns were vibrant; they created a kaleidoscope that dazzled and struck awe into her heart everywhere Violet looked. The guests laughed as they drank. The dull hum of cheerful conversation drifted throughout. Smiles were seen on faces, eyes sparkled, and the mood had Violet’s relief soaring because she had done this.

The ball was a success and rarely had she felt so proud.

She was not with Rhys the entire night, however. Once they had circulated the room and spoken to various lords and ladies, he was pulled away, while she went to find her cousin and sister.

“Well, this is something else!” Rose gushed as Violet came for her. “Violet, I cannot believe that you did this!”

“It certainly is impressive,” Charlotte agreed. “And to think, you did it all on your own.”

Violet very nearly accepted the praise. Once, she would have without question. But Charlotte’s compliments did not sit as well with her as she might have thought, and she found herself speaking before she could stop.

“Oh, it was not all me,” she said. “Rhys helped too.”

She had expected the two women to share a look, and they did not disappoint. But while that was a sure thing, Violet’s reaction was likely different from what they had predicted.

“I am not ashamed to say that Rhys helped me,” Violet said to them both. “Nor am I ashamed to be happy that he did. He has been nothing but helpful and I ought to appreciate him for it.”

Rose blinked in surprise. “Well… I suppose that teasing you is no longer necessary.”

“Oh, we were not teasing,” Charlotte assured her. “Truly, we are happy for you. I was not sure about the duke when you first married him, but I am happy to say that I was wrong. He is clearly not what I expected.”

“Not at all,” Rose agreed.

Violet smiled and she did not try and hide it. “Believe me, I am as surprised as you are. But lately, it has been…” She sighed. “It has been easy. Which is more than I could have hoped for.”

“And what else?” Rose pressed on her. “What else might you hope for?”

“What do you mean?”

Again, the two friends shared a look.

“Oh, not that.” Violet waved them down with a little more urgency than she meant to. “For now, it is enough that things are simple. For Lucy’s sake,” she added quickly. “That Rhys and I get along so well is merely a happy circumstance and nothing more…”

Even Violet did not believe her words. Not really.

For weeks now, she had wanted that to be the case. She had tried so hard to deny any feelings that dared to surface and show themselves. She had not wanted them! Always, this was about Lucy, and should she be happy, that would be enough.

But what of my own happiness? Does that not matter too?

Slowly, her walls were being breached, and Violet was starting to wonder when they might tumble entirely. And when they did, would Rhys be there to scale the wreckage? Even if she wanted such a thing, what did he want?

That was a thought that stayed with her as the night wore on.

But if she might have worried, if she might have assumed that he preferred to keep things as they were. That he came and found her soon after was a sign that he at least wanted to be in her company. And that she was glad to see him was a sign that she wanted to be in his too.