Page 91 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
She flushed, feeling guiltier by the moment.
He tutted. “I hope it hasn’t returned. The doctor was sure you were in the clear.”
“I don’t think it’s that,” she said. “Most likely I’m overtired.”
His eyes narrowed. “Have you not been resting enough? Is it your sister’s visit that has made you overwrought?”
At the mention of Violet, Emma’s tears returned with a vengeance.
She felt like an observer in her own body as Vaughan turned ashen, obviously uncertain how to react. Gently, he sat on the edge of the bed and patted her upper back. He murmuredwords that were supposed to be soothing, but his kindness only deepened her pain.
He was such a good man underneath his stiff surface, and she wanted him so badly. How unfortunate that he did not feel the same way toward her.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed.
“Whatever for?” He sounded baffled.
She sniffed, tears streaking down her face uncontrollably. “I’m sorry I’m not Violet.”
He cocked his head and looked at her as if she were a foreign species.
“I saw you together,” she explained miserably. “Do you love her?”
Of all the ridiculous ideas…
Despite the awfulness of the situation, Vaughan burst into laughter. Apparently, that was not the appropriate response, because Emma turned away.
“No, don’t be that way.” He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and turned her back to face him.
Her lower lip trembled. “I don’t understand.”
She wasn’t the only one.
“Neither do I,” he said. “I don’t understand how, after everything she’s put us through, you could possibly think I have feelings for Violet.”
It was ludicrous.
Yet, Emma’s cheeks were soaked, her eyes puffy, and it was obvious now that she was upset rather than unwell.
“She has a way of drawing people in,” Emma said as if it were obvious. “She’s magnetic. It’s always been that way.”
Vaughan’s throat ached at the thought of how difficult it must have been for Emma to grow up with a twin who was, ostensibly, prettier, more popular, and more congenial than she. Slowly, he moved nearer to her. It was the first time they’d been so close without sex to distract them.
He drew in a deep breath. “Would you like to know why I courted Violet?”
Emma looked as though she’d rather discuss anything else, but she nodded. He was glad for that. What he had to say would surely help her even if she was hesitant to listen.
“I never wanted a wife,” he said. “But my cousin, Reginald, is in line to inherit after me, and he’s a terrible bully. He was awful to me as a child, and I don’t want the dukedom going to him or his offspring. Hence, the need for a duchess to sire an heir.”
“I understand the desire for an heir,” Emma said.
He’d thought she would—even though she couldn’t fully comprehend his dislike of Reginald. Most aristocrats wanted to keep their title in their direct line.
“I decided to look for a bride who wouldn’t want anything from me other than a title and a life of comfort,” he said.
Emma’s forehead scrunched, and her lips parted, but she didn’t interrupt.
“On the surface, Violet seemed perfect for that. I thought she would be an easy wife who would be content to have my heir without making demands on my time or attention.”
