But her mother must have sensed that something deep and important was happening because she said briskly, “We will give you two a moment,” and then ushered Rosalie and the footmen out of the parlor.
Once they were alone, James drew closer.
“He looks right in your arms,” he remarked.
Violet laughed. “He would like right in anyone’s arms.”
“That’s true. He’s impossibly adorable.”
“Yes, we can agree on that.”
They were quiet for a moment, both staring at the puppy, and Violet began to pet his head. He let out another whimper, although this time it sounded like a whimper of happiness, and her heart swelled.
“I also thought…” James spoke tentatively, and she looked back up at him. “If we won’t have children, then perhaps we can have a family of another kind.”
Violet’s heart sank at this reminder of their arrangement, but she tried not to let it ruin her happiness.
“You mean like… more puppies?” she asked.
“And other animals as well, perhaps.”
James was looking at her so eagerly, and she was so thankful to him for bringing her the puppy—and for everything they had shared the night before—that she couldn’t bring herself to let any disappointment show.
Anyway, she did love the puppy. Perhaps she could even love him as much as she would love a child.
But she had decided not to hide her feelings anymore, so she said, “While I still feel sad that we will not have children, I do look forward to creating a new kind of family with you.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you again for the puppy. I already love him so much.”
Chapter Sixteen
“It feels so good to be home,” Violet sighed as she looked around at the endless bookshelves in the Duke’s library. “Even if it is filled with dust.”
“I’m glad to be back as well,” Rosalie, who was standing behind her, piped up, “although I never thought the day would come when I wouldn’t enjoy being in a library.”
“This one is particularly gloomy,” Violet admitted. “But that’s why we have to sort everything and clean it all up! So that you can’t find the books you’re looking for.”
“Yes… but I don’t know whywehave to do it,” Rosalie complained. “Isn’t this why your husband has servants?”
Violet turned and gave her sister a reproving glare. “You’re the one who has been complaining that the library is a mess and you can’t find anything. Thereforeyoushould be the one to help me clean it up!”
“Your logic isn’t completely unsound,” Rosalie grumbled. She picked up a book so covered in dust that the cover was unreadable and, using a hankie, wiped off the dust. “Ahh, this one looks interesting.A Report on the Cash Crops of Southern St. Lucia.”
Her sarcasm was obvious.
“I’m sure there are some that will interest you more,” Violet said. “The Duke is bound to have a few romance novels in here.”
“Is he?” Rosalie sounded skeptical. “He isn’t exactly a romantic. Well, except with you.”
Before Violet could answer dismissively, the door to the library creaked open, and a small, furry head appeared.
“Samson!” Rosalie squealed. “He found us!”
The puppy barked happily, then pushed the rest of his way into the room and ran towards them, his floppy ears bouncing. Rosalie went to him at once, scooping him up in her arms.
“Look how big he’s gotten since we came back!”
“You’re imagining it,” Violet scoffed. “A dog can’t grow that much in one day.”
But as she looked at the puppy, she thought her sister had a point. In the week they’d been back from the duchy, Samson had seemed to grow several inches each day. He was still adorable, though, and small enough to carry in their arms. And his presence added a great deal of liveliness and love to the house.
