Page 39 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

“Lucy, do you want to show him your toys?” Violet asked. To her credit, she did away with her previous anger, now smiling, showing no signs at all of the argument that they had been having.

Lucy nodded and then held out her hand for Rhys to take.

Again, he felt like an idiot. He looked at Violet, unable to say anything, but hoping that she saw in his expression how sorry he was. She shook her head at him, but she did not scowl. Hopefully, she understood that he knew how wrong he had been, and hopefully she would not hold it against him.

Slowly, Rhys took the little girl’s hand. It was warm, and so small in his large paw. But he gripped it tight, wanting to show her that he was willing and appreciative of her gesture. And then, she pulled him to the corner where her toys were spread.

He sat down with her. He laughed as she wordlessly showed him various toys. Her excitement and confidence grew by the second. And within minutes, Rhys had forgotten about his argument, and why he had seen the need to be upset.

Behind him, he felt Violet watching them.

When he turned, he saw the smile on her face, and the way it reached her eyes. As always, she proved that she did not care about him or his tempestuous mood. All she wanted was what was best for Lucy.

I need to do better… I will do better.

There, Rhys stayed for the rest of the afternoon. He played with Lucy as Violet continued to shift furniture and draw on the walls. She could do whatever she wished with the nursery, and Rhys did not care. What he cared about… well, it was more than just Lucy.

As the afternoon wore on, Rhys started to realize what this marriage really meant. For so long, he had refused to admit that he ever wanted a wife, and he certainly did not want a family of his own. But now, in that small moment, he began to see what such a thing might look like, and how it felt.

And even he could not deny how good it felt, how right. Just as Lucy needed safety and protection, he needed the same. And perhaps he had saved her, so that she could save him right back.

Fourteen

“There is no need to be so nervous,” Rhys said.

“I am not nervous,” Violet responded sharply; the tone she used was proof of exactly how nervous she felt. Thankfully, Rhys seemed to understand that, so his response was just a raised eyebrow as if to question her. “Sorry…” She grimaced. “I… I did not mean to snap.”

“I know,” he said. “But seeing as you are so nervous, I am willing to forgive you.”

She looked at him with a feigned expression of annoyance. He simply kept that eyebrow raised, even as he wore a slight smirk. Again, there was the sense that he knew exactly what was on her mind.

“I am not nervous,” she said again, but she sounded more calm. “I am merely… unsure. I do not know what to expect, and I hate feeling so… so…” She clicked her tongue. “So helpless.”

“There is no reason to feel that way,” Rhys said gently. “You have just as much right to be here tonight as anyone. As I have told you time and again, you are now a duchess, and that means something to these people.”

“I might be one in name, but they all know where I came from.” She winced as the shame flooded her. “And somehow, I doubt they will be willing to forget such things. In fact, I know they will not.”

Rhys frowned as he considered her words. “Perhaps…” He was then sure to look at her, and that single look he gave, one that told her that he was there for her, went a long way towards making her feel a little better. “But it matters not. Whatever they say, whatever might happen, know that I am here. And as long as I am, you are safe.”

“I know it.” Her smile was real. “And I will remember it.”

“Truly, I am more worried about what you might say, rather than what they might say or do.”

“Me?” She blinked. “What does that mean?”

He looked at her flatly. “You are not one to cower back or hide, Violet. And if you are backed into a corner, I cannot help but worry about what might happen.” He then chuckled and shook his head. “At the very least, tonight will not be boring.”

Violet was a bundle of nervous energy. She did not like feeling so powerless, and she hated having no control over her life and its circumstances. Sadly, there was little that she could do about it, and all day had been one of steadily increasing panic as she prepared for an evening that was sure to be both horrid and tragic.

However, as she looked at Rhys, as she let his words wash over her, she felt a small flicker of hope light somewhere within. And she knew that as long as he was with her, she would indeed be safe.

And while I should hate that I am forced to rely on him, I cannot help but be grateful. How did this happen?

It was earlier that day when Rhys told Violet that their evening was one that he could not refuse, just as it was one that she had no choice but to agree to. He claimed that he had tried to find a way out, and that was why he was telling her so late. And while she wondered if he was lying—that this was all his way of reminding her that he was in charge—she knew that was not the case.

She was starting to trust him… she wanted to trust him.

As for what their evening entailed? It was to be a dinner party, hosted by Lord and Lady Fairview. They were names that Violet did not know but she was told of their importance. Apparently, they wished to meet Rhys’ new wife, and as Rhys had business dealings with them, he could not refuse.