Chapter 7
Seven
“Istill cannot believe that you are doing this,” Rose said for the tenth time that morning. “Truly, Violet…” She stepped behind her, a look on her face that felt wrong for a circumstance that in most situations ought to have brought joy. “You do not have to do this.”
“And as I have told you already, I want to do this.” The lack of conviction in his voice did not match her words.
“No, you do not.” Rose took her by the hand and forced her to turn around. “There must be another way.”
“You know there is not.”
“I…” Rose’s expression was hard. “I do not mind that Uncle Harold means to find me a husband. If that is why —”
“That is not the reason.”
“I will marry whoever he deems appropriate,” she continued. “I was always going to marry one day, so why not someone who he chooses?”
Violet could have cried. She wanted to. Her sister, still a little girl in her eyes, was so grown up. Willing to sacrifice herself, and just because she did not want to see Violet do something that she was certain she would regret.
She is so like me… always looking out for those who she thinks need help.
“And then you will be in the same situation that I am in now,” Violet said, forcing back her tears and holding onto her smile. “Marrying someone you do not wish to.”
“So what?” Rose cried. “Better me than you!”
“That is where you are wrong,” Violet said. “For once, Rose…” She squeezed her hand. “All I have ever done is try and protect you, and so many times I have failed.”
“No, you have not —”
“This time, I mean to succeed. I will succeed. For once, let me do this without argument. For once, just accept that I am the older sister and that it is my job to look out for you. Please.”
Rose pouted. “It should not have to be this way.”
“And yet it is.” Violet gently pulled her hand free. “So, best that we accept it and make the best of the situation. And all things considered, it could be worse.”
Rose laughed, but there was no joy in it. “I suppose you are right. I mean, a duke, Violet. You will be a duchess. Did you ever imagine? Just think of what Father would have said.”
Again, Violet almost burst into tears. “As I said, things could be a lot worse…”
Together, the two sisters smiled, even laughed softly.
While Violet appreciated her sister’s worries, and while she was so proud that she wanted to help, she had long since come to terms with the reality of her circumstance.
She would marry the duke; they would spend the rest of their lives together, and in so doing, she would save not just one life, but two.
That was what mattered the most, and that was what Violet focused on.
The past two weeks had been most strange.
Strange because there was so much good to be found, and strange because Violet struggled to realize and accept it.
She knew that she ought to, that it was like a dream that one should be grateful for, but always there was that cloud hanging over her head…
and any minute, she knew that it would burst and drown her.
True to his word, the duke had taken care of their financial difficulties. The day after Violet agreed to the marriage, he visited the bank and paid off their debts in full. The house was now theirs. Their woes were a thing of the past. And most importantly, Rose was free.
Following that, the adoption was confirmed. While Lucy was still at the orphanage, she would move into the duke’s residence soon, the daughter of a duke, a life that most could dare not dream.
Again and again, the duke proved himself to be exactly as he claimed, a man of honor, and even one to be trusted. And while Violet wanted so badly to trust him, because that would surely make her feel better about what she was about to do, she struggled with that still.
Trust must be earned… and I cannot help but sense that there is something to the duke that I am missing.
So, it was a strange week. Mostly highs, but always with the threat of an approaching low that would see Violet stumble and fall. And that sense of impending doom was at its absolute worst today, because today it all became real.
Violet and Rose were alone in that moment, sequestered in an antechamber of the duke’s church, waiting to be called for the beginning of the ceremony that would see them becoming man and wife. And once that declaration was made… well, there truly would be no going back.
“You do look truly beautiful,” Rose said as she stood behind Violet. Before them was a full-length mirror, and they both gazed at Violet’s reflection. “Honestly, I just cannot believe that this is happening.”
Violet smiled as her gaze swept over herself. It was not important how she looked. Nobody would care, but the fact that she did look the part… almost makes this feel real.
The gown was one that the duke had bought especially for this occasion.
It had surprised her, in fact, as she had not asked him to do so.
But when he asked what she meant to wear, and when she told him honestly that she did not own a gown for such an event, he took care of it.
The next day the gown was delivered, and without a note attached, she did not have to guess too hard where it had come from, or why.
Its color was emerald with silver lace work.
Dark at the skirt, the color lightened as it crept up her body to a bodice-piece that was tight but not exaggerated.
The neckline was high, covering her upper chest, and the sleeves covered her shoulders.
A modest garment, but Violet found that she was appreciative of the fact.
If anything, it spoke further to the duke’s true intent.
He wanted a marriage of convenience, and every action taken since that declaration confirmed the fact. And while this pleased Violet and it was what she wanted, there was a voice in the back of her head that refused to stay quiet…
The duke was rather handsome. Under ordinary circumstances, any woman would be thrilled to call themselves his wife.
He had a perfect face. He had a powerful and commanding presence.
And those eyes of his, sand perhaps, but also kind and honest…
when he looked at Violet, it was as if he was seeing through her.
Does he like what he sees? Do I even care?
Ultimately, it made no difference. And as she had done so many times, Violet reminded herself of that fact. If he was anybody else, perhaps it would matter, but he was not. Still, she refused to trust him, and for that reason alone, she had to be careful.
A knock at the door had Violet turning.
“Violet…” It was her uncle, and he poked his head through the doorway. “He is ready for you.” Her uncle did not sound pleased, nor did he look it. While he had told her that he was pleased about her decision, she knew how angry he was.
Then again, that was further proof that she was doing the right thing.
The nerves came then, like a wave washing over her. Violet suppressed them as best she could, but she started to shake. It was real… it was happening… There was no going back.
“Let us go together.” Rose took her hand. “As you are always there for me, it is time that I am here for you.”
Again, the urge to cry came over her, and again Violet suppressed it. She had done so little right in her life, but to see her sister having grown so much, and into such a wonderful person, was its own reward. Still a child in Violet’s eyes perhaps, but in reality, a woman grown.
“I will always be here for you,” she said as she held her sister’s hand tight. “Uncle, tell His Grace we are coming.”
Her uncle nodded, again not smiling, and ducked his head from the door.
Once he had gone, Violet dusted herself down, took a final breath to find calm, and started across the room.
Her life was about to change forever, and she had no idea what was to come or what to expect.
What she did know, and what would help her through the hard times if they arrived, was that she was doing this for the right reasons.
She had always been one to do for others what they could not do for themselves, and she had always put her own needs second. It was as good a reason to smile as any other. So, Violet found that reason to smile, and she held it firm as she stepped out of the room and entered her new life.