Page 71 of To Break the Rules

Aashini nodded, fairly certain words were too much of an effort for the moment.

“I didn’t hurt you?”

She shook her head this time, unable to stop the idiotic grin that stretched out over her mouth. Silas reached out and traced the line of her jaw.

“Thank you,” he said, his heart in his eyes for her to see. “For trusting me, for loving me. I still can’t quite believe it, but… thank you.”

Aashini didn’t have words for that either, but she hoped the tears in her own eyes and the ridiculous smile… and the kiss, would make her feelings plain.

Chapter 20

Harriet, she’s done it! Lucia has married Lord Cavendish! That’s one in the eye for the old tabbies!

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Kitty Connolly to Miss Harriet Stanhope.

2nd August 1814. The Earl of Ulceby’s residence, Hyde Park, London.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Aashini looked at her husband, finding his expression grave, but his voice so full of warmth and reassurance that she could not doubt him.

They sat in his carriage, outside the Earl of Ulceby’s home, while Aashini and Dharani gathered their courage. His valet, Mr Davis, was with them too. Why, she wasn’t certain, but he and Dharani seemed to have become fast friends, and he was a cheerful soul and a rather heartening presence, so she didn’t mind.

“We’ve come this far, bhanvaraa,” Dharani said, reaching out and clasping her hand, holding on tight.

She turned to her grandmother, seeing the beloved features of a woman who had faced so much and not only endured, but triumphed. It was Nani maa who had brought Aashini here, her guidance that had kept her strong. Suddenly, what she must do now was less about revenge and more about doing this for her grandmother, for her father, for the people that had loved her and wanted her to have a good and happy life.

Aashini took a deep breath.

“I’m ready,” she said.

Silas smiled at her, a smile that promised her he’d never let her down and that made her heart lift.

He helped both her and Dharani out of the carriage, taking her arm as Mr Davis escorted Dharani. Her grandmother looked fierce today, dressed in a bright red sari, a look of defiant determination blazing in her dark eyes.

The butler looked startled as he opened the door to them.

“I’m afraid Lord Ulceby—” The man began, but Silas cut him off, pushing past him.

“Where is he?”

“In his study, my lord, but you cannot—”

“Oh, I think you’ll find I can,” Silas said, glowering so fiercely that the butler quailed and offered no further objection. They both knew where the study was, of course, as Aashini had visited it before, and Silas had spied on her doing so.

Aashini’s heart was hammering, but it was impossible to be afraid with her husband at her side. She glanced back at Dharani, who flashed her a wicked grin, and Aashini’s breath caught. It would be all right. No matter what happened, she wasn’t alone.

Silas flung the study door open and strode in as Aashini put her chin up, searching the room until her gaze rested on the Earl of Ulceby.

He was a lot less frightening than he’d ever been in her imagination, or the few times she’d seen him before, somehow. Sitting behind the massive oak desk where she had smoked a cigar—what seemed a lifetime ago—he looked shrunken, somehow diminished, his face as grey as his hair. She realised then that he’d feared this moment. He’d lived in fear just as she had. Somehow, that made her feel better.

It gave her courage.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Aashini looked at the short, stocky man who had made this indignant statement. He had the air of a lawyer, and she didn’t doubt she’d guessed correctly.

Ulceby said nothing. He didn’t need to ask. He knew.