Page 99 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Violet shook her head, her lips twisted wryly. “Nonsense. He has chastened both me and Mr. Mayhew quite fiercely in defense of you. The man is smitten.”
A burst of hope filled Emma’s chest, but she slammed a lid over it. She couldn’t afford to become hopeful, only to have Vaughan remind her of what they were…and weren’t.
“Ashford does not love me,” she said even though it pained her to do so. “He never will. He didn’t even want me at first.”
Violet’s smile faded. “You really believe that.”
“It’s the truth.”
Violet pressed her lips together and nodded. “In that case, I’m sorry for upsetting you. I only meant to tease.”
Emma relaxed a little. “I know.”
Violet turned toward the bedchamber door, then hesitated. “If you ever wish for time away from the duke, you are always welcome to visit us. Whenever you like. Even if you want to come with us when we leave here.”
The crushing grip on Emma’s heart lessened.
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
Especially considering Violet had no idea how her father-in-law would react to her having extended the invitation.
Emma bit her lip. She wanted to tell Violet that it would never happen—surely it would be awkward—but perhapsputting physical space between herself and Vaughan was what she needed to gain perspective.
“I will consider it,” Emma said.
The days followingthe night that Vaughan had fallen asleep in Emma’s bed were strange. Everyone at Ashford Hall was oddly formal with one another, and when Vaughan visited Emma that evening, he found her already in bed and pretending to be asleep.
She couldn’t truly have been sleeping, because he’d created enough ruckus to wake anyone. Still, he’d decided to take the hint, and he’d stayed away. Now, with his departure from the hall only hours away, his heart was heavy.
He poured himself a cup of tea and carried it to the dining table, then returned to the side table to fill his plate. The aroma of eggs and freshly baked bread made his stomach grumble. He stacked toast on his plate, then covered it with egg and added a strip of bacon to the side.
He joined the others, who had already been seated. Emma was to his left, spreading jam on a slice of bread. Violet and Mr. Mayhew were to his right. Violet had served herself only fruit, while Mr. Mayhew was clearly enjoying everything on offer.
“We leave today,” Violet announced unnecessarily. Everyone knew the Mayhews were due to depart after breaking their fast.
However, as he noticed Violet and Emma exchange a glance, he wondered whether he might be missing something.
“You’re packed?” Emma asked.
“We are,” Violet said. “We are due to depart in an hour.”
Again, why repeat something everyone knew?
But Emma nodded, a flash of emotion crossing her face.
“Have you finished your morning ablutions?” Violet asked Emma.
Vaughan frowned as he cut his eggs and toast into bite-size pieces, bewildered by the abrupt change of topic.
“Almost,” Emma said. “I have only a couple more tasks to complete.”
“I have not seen Daisy this morning,” Violet said, confusing Vaughan even more. Violet never enquired after the servants. Never.
“She’s addressing a personal matter,” Emma replied. “I’m sure she will be done soon, though.”
Vaughan speared another piece of toast and glanced at Mr. Mayhew, wondering if he was as baffled by this conversation as he was, but the man seemed unaware of anything other than the giant mound of bacon he was intent on decimating.
“Good,” Violet said. “I do like it when everything is timely.”
