Page 92 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

Unfathomable.

Like them.

‘I know we can’t last,’ she said again, staring up to the sky. ‘I know that, but I wouldn’t change things.’

‘You’re a pessimist.’

‘Yes.’

‘What happened to sunny, happy Violet?’

‘I don’t have to be her when I’m with you.’

‘You don’t.’

‘I’m scared you’ll marry and bring your wife to visit Carter and Grace...’

‘Violet.’ He halted her. ‘Can I ask you to trust me enough to know that I shall sort this out?’

‘I don’t see how.’

‘Nor do I yet,’ Sahir admitted. ‘You’re a very new puzzle.’

She turned to look at him, and he truly was as stunning as the sky. ‘I’m scared I’ll only be your lover.’

‘Do you really think I’d want that?’

‘Yes.’ Violet nodded. ‘If that’s the only way.’

She sat up and tucked up her knees, looked at all the lovely cushions and rugs. There were even jugs and glasses and little sweet treats.

‘Did the maids do this?’

‘No, my mother taught me. I didn’t realise it at the time, but she was teaching me all the secret places...’

‘To take a lover?’

‘She was romantic. I guess she wanted me to be too.’

‘Well, she taught you well.’

‘I’m furious with my father, Violet,’ he admitted. ‘We have never got on, but we have always worked together well. I don’t see how we can now.’

‘You have to.’

‘I don’t know... He should know better than to mess with my private life.’

‘It’s not just him, Sahir, it’s the council, the elders... Of course they want you married to someone suitable to have heirs.’

‘I told them maybe when I am forty.’

She inhaled sharply, understanding now what he’d been saying that first night, and she hated it that she cried. Because five years from now...

‘Come here.’ He pulled her down into his arms as she cried, and it felt nice. ‘I’m going to fight for us,’ he told her.

She gave a mirthless, tear-choked laugh and tried to pull away. ‘I don’t believe you, Sahir. Nobody’s ever fought to keep me.’

It was, Sahir knew, going to take more than a few nights to wipe out a lifetime of hurt for her. And even though he didn’t tell her, Sahir could not see how.

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