Page 29 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

“I think so,” she said. “I… yes. I do.”

Violet beamed and she felt the onset of tears forming in her eyes. She sniffed those back; not wanting to cry because that would just confuse the little girl more. For now, it was enough to know that Lucy was at least accepting of all that had happened to her.

And in time, I hope, she will come to understand how loved she is.

Rose arrived a few minutes later.

She swept through the front door, her eyes wide with the thrill of being in such an ostentatious and impressive home. She looked around the large foyer, and she laughed with glee. Then her eyes landed on Violet, and she laughed again.

“Your Grace,” she said with a curtsey. “Thank you for inviting me to your most humble⁠—”

“Oh, stop.” Violet hurried to her sister and wrapped her in her arms. “I might ask that you not make a fool of yourself, but I would not waste my breath.”

“It is too late for that,” Rose laughed. “I mean, look at this place! Look at you!” She pulled back and took her sister in. “One day in, and you already look the part. Dare I say that you rather like being a duchess?”

Violet rolled her eyes. “It matters not to me at all. I did this for us.” A firm nod. “Oh, and for one other, of course…” Violet turned and smiled at Lucy, who stayed back, withdrawn and doing her best to appear small. “Lucy, would you like to meet your aunt?”

“Aunt?” Rose said with delight. “I do like the sound of that.” She then dropped to her knees so that she could better look at Lucy. “My, oh my, Violet told me how pretty you were, but I did not expect you to be this beautiful.”

Lucy’s cheeks colored. “Re—really?”

“And tall,” Rose continued joyfully. “How old are you? Ten? Eleven?”

“No,” Lucy giggled. “I am three.”

“Three?” Rose gasped. “That cannot be right.” She then scowled playfully at Violet. “What have you been feeding this girl?”

Violet had been a little worried about Lucy meeting Rose. All last night, she had been sure to warm the girl up to the notion, assuring her that Rose was friendly, and that there was nothing to be scared about. But Lucy was still nervous, it was clear that she might have preferred that Rose not join them at all, and Violet truly feared that they would not get along.

As it turned out, she need not have worried at all.

Rose had always had a way with people. Where Violet could be a little hard to get used to, a bit too honest and raw at times, Rose was the type of person who everyone was immediately drawn to. And although Lucy was not at the point yet where she would hug Rose, where she would feel comfortable around her, Violet had no doubt that time would come.

“Speaking of eating, I assume you are hungry, Rose?” Violet asked as she went back to Lucy, resting her hand on the girl’s head.

“Famished,” Rose sighed. “I thought to eat earlier, but I also thought to wait. Surely, a home such as this is not one wanting for food?”

Violet grinned at her sister. “Shall we take advantage of the fact?”

“I insist. Lucy?” Rose was still crouched, and she smiled warmly at Lucy. “Are you hungry?”

“I…” Lucy looked at Violet for confirmation, and Violet nodded. “I am,” Lucy said.

“That settles it then.” Rose jumped to her feet. “Let us eat!”

The three of them made their way to the breakfast room.

Once there, Violet took her place at the head of the table; not the very head, the spot reserved for Rhys, but one chair down, on the right. She instructed Lucy to sit beside her, while Rose sat across from them.

As soon as they were seated, a footman hurried to explain that breakfast would be a choice of eggs, toast, ham and pork, as well as fresh fruit. He asked which they wanted, and Rose did not hesitate to answer.

“Everything,” Rose announced. “I want everything.”

Lucy giggled at the way that Rose behaved, seemingly delighted by how energetic and verbose she was. And Violet smiled warmly, feeling the love in that room. She knew at that moment that she had made the right decision to marry Rhys so that she could look after Lucy as well as Rose.

Maybe this was not such a terrible idea after all…

All that changed when Rhys strode into the breakfast room.