Page 84 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Emma shrugged. That was about the sum of it.
“And you went along with it?” She sounded bewildered. “Why would you do that?”
“If we were cast out, I wouldn’t have had many other options,” Emma said. “Nor would Sophie.”
“Oh, Emma.” Violet’s face fell as she finally realized what she’d done when she’d run off with her now-husband. “I am sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”
Emma smoothed her skirts. “I know.”
Violet may be self-centered, and remarkably oblivious at times, but she wasn’t a bad person.
Violet reached over and took Emma’s hand. “Are you terribly unhappy?”
“No. I’m just taking a while to find my place in this new life.” She drank more of her tea with her free hand, then set it down as the cup began to tremble in her grasp. “This isn’t your fault.”
Violet snorted.
“Well, not completely,” Emma corrected. “I agreed to this solution, and the duke gives me anything I ask for.”
Except for his time and affection, but Violet didn’t need to know that.
There was a knock at the door, and then it swung open to reveal a pair of men framed in the doorway.
Mr. Mayhew beamed. “Look who I found while I was exploring the grounds.”
Vaughan appeared to wish he were anywhere else. Emma winced internally. The poor man. Not only had he been jilted, but he was now confronted with the reality of their marital bliss.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Violet said, sweeping into a curtsy.
Vaughan nodded. “Lady Violet. A pleasure to see you.”
The words stuck on his tongue as if he didn’t really want to say them. Thankfully, before anyone could speak again, the door opened a second time, and Mrs. Travers bustled in.
“I have prepared a bedchamber for Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew,” she said.
“Perfect.” Relief washed through Emma. “Will you please show them to the room?”
As soon asMr. Mayhew and the former Lady Violet Carlisle followed Mrs. Travers into the corridor, some of the tension that had thrummed through Vaughan ever since he’d encountered Mr. Mayhew seeped away.
He tilted his head to Emma in acknowledgement and went to his office, only realizing after he entered that Emma was right behind him. He poured himself a brandy and was about to take it to his desk when Emma spoke.
“May I have one too?”
He hesitated, having not expected the request. He put his glass down and poured another, then passed it to her. She sipped and, surprising him once again, didn’t so much as wrinkle her nose with distaste.
“I must apologize for my sister turning up unannounced,” Emma said.
Something in her tone caught his attention, and he studied her, realizing later than he ought to that she was obviously distressed. Her complexion was paler than usual, and she was downcast. Did Violet usually have this effect on her?
“It isn’t your fault,” he assured her. “Unless you invited them here.”
She scoffed. “Of course not.”
His eyebrows flew up at her tone.
“You were betrothed,” she said pointedly. “Do you think I would invite my husband’s former betrothed to visit so soon after our wedding—even if she is my sister?”
Vaughan supposed not. He could imagine how it might be awkward for both of them.
