Page 54 of The Duke of Ice
Nick touched each stone, his fingertips lingering over his son’s name. Then he turned and climbed back on Oberon. The rain fell in earnest as they returned to the stables. By the time Nick entered his chamber, he was already peeling away his sodden clothes.
“Let me help you, Your Grace,” Rand offered, rushing to assist Nick with his coat.
“I’ll need a bath,” Nick said.
“It’s already being drawn and will be ready by the time you’re undressed.” Rand set the coat on the floor as Nick perched on the edge of a chair.
He extended his leg so that Rand could remove his boots. “Excellent. Then I want you to pack for an extended trip.”
Rand’s head snapped up, and he paused in tugging at the second boot. “So soon?”
“I know it’s a surprise. It is to me too.”
Rand removed Nick’s stockings as Nick shrugged out of his waistcoat. “Where are we going?”
“To Bath. Please inform Mr. Lovell that I need to meet with him after my bath to make preparations.” Nick’s secretary would likely be just as surprised as Rand.
“Right away.” Rand looked at him as if he wanted to say something but didn’t.
“Out with it.” Nick stood to remove the rest of his clothing.
“I hope you won’t find me impertinent, Your Grace, but you’re changed since you returned from the house party.”
Nick pulled his shirt over his head and handed it to the valet. “So it would seem.”
“For the better, if I may broaden my impertinence.”
“Thank you, Rand.” Nick peeled his breeches down his legs.
“Everyone says so.”
“Let’s not take things too far.” Nick smiled at the man, causing Rand’s eyes to widen. Nick finished undressing, then turned to head to his bath.
He couldn’t help but think of the city where he’d met Violet. And he could hardly wait to get there.
* * *
Violet was surprisinglycontent as she looked at Bath from the window of her coach. For eight years, she’d lived under the shadow of “if only…” and while she was still sad about how things had turned out, for the first time, she had the sense that she could put Nick behind her.
Oh, it still hurt—she knew she’d always love him—but she had a final happy memory to make her smile.
They hadn’t been alone together again at the house party after their encounter in the sitting room. But before he’d left, he’d taken her hand and bowed, telling her he wished her every happiness in the future. It had felt like a goodbye, and she knew that it was.
Yes, that was what felt different. Eight years ago, she’d simply left with her parents, and since he’d never received her letter, there’d been a raw wound. Hopefully, it was now closed, and they could both move forward without regret or bitterness.
As she traveled along Great Pulteney Street, she wondered what that way forward looked like. Perhaps Hannah would help her puzzle that out. Violet was delighted she’d come to town and anticipated spending a lovely afternoon with her friend.
She departed her coach in front of the Sydney Hotel and swept inside, where she looked about for Hannah. Her neck pricked, as if something was…off. She’d come here a hundred times—more probably—but had never felt this sensation of having done exactlythisbefore. She took in the familiar setting, the windows looking out to the gardens, and then she froze.
As he rose from a table beneath a window, his eyes locked with hers. He was dressed a bit differently, but the colors were the same—a dark blue coat, brown breeches, and the stiffest cravat she’d ever seen. He presented a breathtaking picture of masculine elegance and rugged allure. Even before he’d been a duke, he’d looked ducal, as if he could command the world.
Violet couldn’t move for a moment. The familiarity of the situation was so keen, she almost believed it was a dream. On that day eight years ago, she’d left the table she’d been sharing with her aunt and her aunt’s friend, leaving them to gossip while she took a turn outside. She’d never imagined that such a simple decision would alter her life forever.
Nick had stood, and she’d seen him, their gazes connecting briefly before she’d continued on her path to the door to the gardens, her maid trailing behind her. All the while, her heart had pounded as the handsome stranger stared at her. Following the past, she put one foot in front of the other and walked toward the door.
He rushed to open it for her, just as he had eight years ago. She stepped out into the cool, late October afternoon, her breath trapped in her lungs.
Nick joined her and bowed deeply. “May I escort you through the gardens?”
