Page 67 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
They had made love, and it had been wonderful. Then he’d become distant, like a stranger, almost immediately. It felt like a rejection.
At least he made sure you enjoyed it,she told herself. It was more than she’d initially expected, but somehow, it didn’t feel like nearly enough.
Emma glancedup from her book as a footman carrying a tray of mail entered the morning room.
“There’s a letter for you, Your Grace,” he said.
She rose from the chaise positioned beside the window to catch the morning light and crossed the room to take it from him. She hoped it would be from Sophie. She missed her younger sister and hadn’t yet heard from her, but the handwriting was Violet’s loopy script rather than Sophie’s neater letters.
“Thank you,” she said, already breaking the seal into which was pressed a large “M.’
He bowed slightly and left.
Emma sat at one of the small wooden tables on the opposite side of the room from the chaise. She unfolded the pages, curious what Violet would have to say. This was their first personal correspondence since the letter announcing that Violet had eloped.
My dear Emma,
I suppose by now you know that I have become Lady Violet Mayhew. I’m pleased to be able to retain the honorific despite having married without a title, as Mrs. Mayhew sounds far too dowdy for someone like me.
Our journey to Gretna Green was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I have seen so many things and visited so many places that I never thought I would get the chance to experience. That said, I am quite glad it is over.
Mr. Mayhew and I intend to retire to his family’s home in Essex for the remainder of the season. His father has offered us a house on the estate, and while you know the country is not my preferred home, I am looking forward to the peace so we can recuperate.
Perhaps you and I will meet again in London next season, both refreshed and free of the mantle of being an unwed lady.
I was surprised to hear of your marriage to the Duke of Ashford. I was not aware that you held him in high regard, but if he gives you the love you have always wanted, then I am happy for you and relieved I did not hinder your ability to be with him.
I will write to you again once I am in Essex. I would love to hear what life as a duchess entails. Is the estate as magnificent as I have heard?
Yours,
Violet
Emma shook her head, amazed at Violet’s obliviousness. Was her sister really blind enough to think that Emma’s marriage to the duke had been her own idea rather than a consequence of Violet’s reckless actions?
Biting her lip, Emma reminded herself not to be too harsh in judging her sister. After all, becoming Vaughan’s wife might not have been Emma’s original plan, but she was beginning tobelieve that she could still have the future filled with love that she’d always imagined.
Leaving the letter on the table, she went in search of a pen and paper, then returned and read the letter again before composing a response. She kept it light and pleasant, not addressing the scandal the family had faced after Violet left. Instead, she described her new home and the people who lived within its walls.
She looked out of the window and paused at the sight of the duke trotting across the grass on horseback. She strolled over to the window and raised her hand to her eyes so she could see better.
He guided the horse back toward the stables, his strong body moving in harmony with the animal. She touched her lips, recalling how that same body had strained above her last night. Her cheeks flushed. She’d never imagined that being married would come with such wicked benefits.
Vaughan left her field of view, but she continued to gaze after him. The past week with him had been beyond her wildest dreams. Yes, she’d have liked it if he didn’t return her to her own bedchamber after they’d…finished, but hopefully that would come with time.
After all, he couldn’t make love to her so passionately night after night without some of that affection spilling over into their day-to-day life, could he?
Turning away from the window, she noticed that the footman had returned and was quietly waiting. She handed him the letter she’d penned to Violet.
“Please ensure this is sent to Lady Violet Mayhew at the Mayhew’s Essex estate,” she said, and he nodded.
She smiled to herself as he departed. Violet had been foolish to give up her duke. A man like Vaughan didn’t come along often.
“Your Grace?”
She glanced up and realized that Mr. Yeats was standing in front of her, his eyebrows furrowed and his back painfully straight.
“Yes, Mr. Yeats?” she asked.
