My Duke's Desire (Wicked Lords of London 4)

“I’ve no choice.” Violette chewed on her lip. “This match will save my family.”

“He knows it too.” Tricia’s hands clenched as she stared across the room. Then her eyes snapped back to Violette. “I’ll finance your future myself before I allow my brother to do this to you.”

That caught Violette completely by surprise. Her hands pressed to her cheeks as she looked back at Tricia. “What? You can’t mean that.”

Tricia straightened. “I mean every word.”

“My mother…,” she started. “She would never agree. He’s a duke.”

Tricia frowned. “What if I agreed to sponsor a season for both you and your sister? Although you might not marry a duke you could both make excellent matches.”

Violette pressed her hands to her cheeks. Her mother would be hard-pressed to deny that offer. Daffodil would surely flourish with a proper season. And though she hated the thought of losing Theo, the alternative was to lose him anyway. Being his wife while his first love was adventuring would be a loss she could never recover from because she would have to live it over and over. “I do believe she would be agreeable.”

“Good.” Tricia straightened. “Tabbie will help too. No one is angrier at Teddy than her. Ridiculous.” Tricia stopped. “My father was tough on us. But,” she shook her head, “now I understand why. He had good reason.”

Violette nodded. “I loved my father. But he didn’t take his responsibilities to our finances with any seriousness. We are paying the price.” She cared for Theo; in fact she was certain she loved him. But, if given a choice, it was best for her family now, for her future family, to marry a man who understood what it meant to care for the ones he loved.

“How do you feel about my brother?” Tricia asked, reaching for her hand. “Are you prepared to do this?”

Violette swallowed. “I fear I may be in love with him. But I can’t feel that way and marry a man whose first love is the sea.”

Tricia gave her hand a squeeze. “Clever girl. You really are perfect for him. I hope he sees that.” She leaned over and gave Violette a peck on the cheek. “Let’s get you back to the inn. I’ll take you myself. The first blow should be dealt by me. And just so you know, lock your door. Theo is going to be furious that I’ve meddled.”

Violette pressed her lips together. This was going to be terrible.

As she sat alone in her room, she grew more nervous. She hadn’t actually seen Theo’s temper and she’d no idea what to expect.

For the first time in her life, she wished her mother was there. Anyone really, to hold her hand or just sit by her.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of Theo. He’d been nothing but kind. But now that she was alone, she wondered, was she making the right decision?

Straightening her spine, she brushed away her worries. She couldn’t be in a marriage where she was the only one in love. Nor could she marry a man like her father who didn’t take on the duties that a man should.

She’d seen that once in her life already.

As the sun began to set, she heard a commotion out on the street. She wondered what might be going on, it had been quiet as could be since she’d arrived.

Giving a shrug, she returned to her thoughts when a pounding know came at her door. “Violette. Open this door,” Theo said, his voice calm but cold.

“I can’t,” she answered softly. “I won’t.” She closed her eyes. She knew this was the right decision, but why did it have to hurt so much?

Chapter Twelve

Theo walked off the ships, shaking his head at the day he’d just survive

d. His face hurt horribly as did his ribs. Not that he’d tell Luke that.

Once he’d gotten over his anger at Luke and Ryker, he began to see their point. That point was driven home when he’d toured the boats. Though the fire looked as though it had started on the next ship over when a keg of gunpowder had caught on fire, the boiler’s explosion had doubled the damage.

What was more, the few sailors who had been nearby had perished in the explosion. It had been a gory mess. This was not a situation that he’d want Violette to handle alone…ever.

Thoughts of Violette made him quicken his pace. He had a fierce need to see her. Tuck her hand in his arm and pull her close to his body. Bloody hell, he wanted to kiss her or even just smell her.

What that meant for the future, he couldn’t say, but at this moment, it didn’t matter. Just being close to her was important. He’d figure out the rest as it came.

Barging into the hall, he hoped that no man was trying to win her affection. He’d have a devil of a time fighting anyone now.

But a quick scan of the room left him puzzled.