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for the most part.”

      Violet bit back a gasp. Her heart twisted in her chest. No! Twenty-one years of quiet, reserved, proper behavior, of not standing up for herself, of doing what was expected up to and including marrying a man who had no desire to marry her, shattered with his words.

      “She and I could—”

      “She and I could what?” Violet swept into the room.

      Both men jumped to their feet.

      “Good morning, Violet,” Lord Ellsworth said pleasantly. “I trust you slept well?”

      “Quite, thank you, my lord.” She moved closer. “I couldn’t help overhearing. As you and James are discussing my marriage and my future, don’t you think I should be present?”

      “Of course.” James offered her a chair.

      “I’d prefer to stand.” She braced herself. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re suggesting that you and I continue our lives as if we were not married? You go your way and I go mine?”

      “Well, yes, something like that.”

      “I see.” Good Lord! The man really didn’t want her. A lump lodged in her throat. She ignored it. Now was not the time to feel sorry for herself. She’d thought, she’d hoped, that he liked her well enough to make a success of this marriage. She more than liked him, she’d been secretly smitten with the man very nearly since the moment she’d met him. What an idiot she was. “Then last night was...” She steeled herself, not sure if she wanted the answer. Still, only a coward wouldn’t ask the question and the time for cowardliness was past. “An obligation? The responsibility of a dutiful husband?”

      “No, not entirely.” He paused to choose his words. “But last night does erase any question of the legality of our union. It protects you should something happen to me. Death or something of the like.”

      “That’s certainly the best idea I’ve heard today,” she snapped.

      Lord Ellsworth cleared his throat.

      “I say, Violet, that’s uncalled-for.” James frowned.

      “Really? And I think that’s the very least that is called for!”

      “Didn’t you say she was shy and reserved?” Lord Ellsworth said in an aside to James.

      “She was.”

      “Shy and reserved will not serve me well at the moment, my lord.” She clenched her fists by her side, as much to still the trembling of her hands as from anger.

      The oddest look of what might have been admiration shone in the older man’s eyes. Any other time she would have reveled in it. Now, she was fighting for her future. Her husband—her new husband—was about to turn her into that most pathetic creature: a wife in name only. Absolutely not! She squared her shoulders. “I will not return to my family’s house.”

      “We shall find you a house,” James said quickly.

      “She shall stay here.” Lord Ellsworth shot him a hard glance. “This is her home now.”

      “Yes, of course.” Unease shaded James’s words. He was no doubt thinking exactly what she was—being under the same roof would be exceptionally awkward if indeed they were living separate lives.

      “I’m not sure I wish to.” Violet crossed her arms over her chest. “In this marriage you’re proposing, you are free to continue your reckless and scandalous ways?”

      “Yes, I suppose, although calling them reckless and scandalous does seem a bit harsh.”

      She ignored him. “And I may do as I wish, as well?”

      “I hadn’t really considered...” James’s brow furrowed in confusion. Obviously the man didn’t like the sound of that. Good. “I would think so.”

      She smiled slowly. He didn’t seem to like that, either. “Now that we have agreed to the rules—” she turned to Lord Ellsworth “—I hate to be indelicate but I would like to discuss finances.”

      His lordship nodded. “James will provide you with an allowance suitable for your position. Yours to spend as you please.”

      James nodded.

      She looked at her new husband for a long moment. Silly of her to think that simply because she had feelings for him, because they shared a certain friendship, that this sham of a marriage would succeed. She shifted her gaze back to his uncle. “Given our arrangement, London is going to be uncomfortable for both of us. I have always wanted to travel. Can that be arranged?”

      “Yes, of course.” Lord Ellsworth glanced at his nephew. “Unless, you have any objection?”

      “Whatever she wants,” James said quietly. It really was the least he could do and the man knew it. He’d ruined her life. Destroyed any real chance of a good match and put her at the center of scandal. Now he could make amends by financing her freedom.

      “Very well then.” She met her husband’s gaze directly. “I do agree with you, James. I don’t think you’re ready for marriage. For that matter, I doubt you’re ready for any significant responsibility whatsoever.”

      “Come now, Violet.” The man actually had the nerve to sound indignant. “I should be given some credit. I did marry you and in doing so saved you from ruin. One might say I rescued you.”

      “After it was you who put me in an untenable situation in the first place.” She ignored the fact that she had kissed him back with all the enthusiasm of unrequited love. “And destroyed my life in the process.”

      “Not deliberately,” James said as if that made a difference. “That was never my intention.”

      “I’ll arrange an appointment with my solicitor.” Lord Ellsworth smiled at his new niece. “I know it’s difficult at the moment, but regardless of where your travels take you, I do hope you will consider Ellsworth House your home.”

      She forced a smile. “Thank you, my lord.” She turned her attention back to James. Resolve hardened her voice. “As for you, I never want to see you again.”

      “There will be occasions—”

      “Never!” She fairly spat the word, ignoring the pain squeezing her heart. Apparently, this was what true heartbreak felt like. No doubt made worse by the hope that last night... She thrust the thought aside. “I’m quite serious, James. Never.”

      He stared, a stunned look on his handsome face. As if only now did he realize the consequences of what he’d done, of how he’d crushed her hopes and her heart. “Very well, never.”

      “Now, if you will excuse me.” Violet nodded and headed toward the door. It was all she should do to keep her pace calm and sedate when what she truly wanted was to flee and then weep. Possibly forever.

      “That appears resolved,” his lordship said behind her. “I must say, I’m rather disappointed.”

      Tears blurred her eyes and she started toward her rooms. This was not the future she’d envisioned yesterday when she’d said vows that apparently only she really meant.

      “It’s for the best, uncle.” James’s voice trailed after her.

      Maybe in that at least, James was right.

       PART ONE

      London

       CHAPTER ONE

      Nearly six years later...

      “HAVE

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