Page 45 of The Duke of Ice
“I don’t need to feel to marry.”
Simon coughed. “Tell that to your wife!”
“I will. She’ll understand that I won’t ever love her. Contrary to what you say, I’m not really a beast.”
“No, just an insensitive, selfish ass. Nonetheless, you will likely have no trouble finding someone to accept your terms. You’re a duke and an Untouchable to boot. Many women would sell their souls to the devil to be your duchess.” His brow furrowed. “On second thought, I might be wrong. Otherwise, I’d be remarried already.”
Nick knew that Simon was trying to bring a bit of levity back to the conversation, if that was possible. “I didn’t mean for that to take such a maudlin turn,” Nick said. “My apologies.”
“I didn’t either. I’m just trying to be your friend. I care about you, whether you want me to or not. And I know you feel the same.” He gave Nick a wry smirk. “So much for your plan to ignore emotion. Come on, the coaches are arriving. We need to put on our house party faces.”
Nick nodded. He did care about Simon. And if Violet could somehow make him the hero of the day, perhaps his wishes would come true.Thatwould make Nick happy.
They walked to the coaches just as Violet stepped down with the assistance of the groom. She wore a dark blue day dress with a rich brown spencer. Blond curls brushed her temples beneath the brim of her fetching hat. She was beautiful, and he wanted her as fiercely now as he had last night.
It was a damn good thing this party would be over after tomorrow.
* * *
As Violet steppedout of the coach, her gaze instantly landed on Nick. He stood next to Simon—they’d ridden ahead—about twenty yards away. He looked rugged and handsome in his riding costume, and her body reacted with a jump in warmth.
No. She wasn’t spending another day pining after Nicholas Bateman. Rather, the Duke of Ice. He’d made his choice quite clear—he wanted to be alone. Well, she’d let him.
Diana emerged from the coach behind her, followed by her mother and then Hannah. The latter two gravitated toward another group of ladies that had disembarked from another coach, leaving Violet and Diana to walk together toward the stunning west entrance.
The younger woman looked to the side, in the direction of Nick and Simon. “The dukes are here.”
“Yes.” Violet didn’t particularly want to talk about them. She looked up at the impressive façade instead. “The cathedral is gorgeous.”
“Indeed. I’ve visited the cathedral in Canterbury. It’s larger than this one, I think.”
“Where Thomas Becket was killed?” Violet asked. “What a gruesome event. I don’t think Wells has anything so disquieting to offer.”
“No, but I hear the library is excellent, and the octagonal chapter house is of special note.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing that,” Violet said. “What are you hoping to do today?”
“Nothing particular.” Again, Diana glanced toward the dukes. “Can I ask you something? I’m afraid it may be a bit forward.”
Intrigued, Violet looked at her profile. She was as placid as ever, betraying nothing. Perhaps she and Nick would be a good match, she thought a bit sourly. Annoyed with herself for having such uncharitable thoughts, she exhaled. “Yes, you may ask me anything. I will answer to the best of my ability.”
Diana turned her head briefly. There was a bit of apprehension in her gaze. “Is there… Is there something between you and the Duke of Kilve?”
A tremor rippled through Violet, and she tried to emulate her companion’s serenity. “No.” That was the absolute truth.Now.
“Oh. I wondered…after Kiss if You Can. When he kissed you on the mouth.”
“I think he simply forgot the rules.” And she would be eternally grateful. Just having that one kiss—even if it was the last—meant everything to her. “The Duke of Romsey kissed you on the mouth, but there’s nothing to that, is there?” Violet didn’t mean to be indelicate but wanted to be clear that yesterday’s kiss had meantnothing.
“Of course not,” Diana rushed to say. “I just wondered when you and the Duke of Kilve disappeared for a while last night.”
Damn. Violet had hoped no one noticed. She’d arrived at the ballroom after her encounter with Nick outside, but he never had. It would have looked more suspicious if they’d both arrived, and she’d been relieved when he stayed away. Also because she wasn’t sure she could be in the same room with him after what he’d said to her. Knowing that she caused him to feel out of control but that he would do nothing about it was maddening. “I stepped outside for a few minutes. I’ve no idea where the Duke went. It does seem he doesn’t care for dancing.”
He had once. He’d danced with her several times during their love affair, and he’d been a wonderful dancer. She wondered if he waltzed. Probably not.
“Thank you for your honesty,” Diana said, making Violet’s insides squirm. “My parents would dearly love for me to make a match with him. I’m to endeavor to spend some time with him today.” She cast Violet a wry smile. “I’m afraid I’m not at all certain how to do that. He doesn’t seem overly interested in courtship.”
Violet had told him she’d make it known he wasn’t interested in marriage. “No, he isn’t.”
