Page 98 of A Deal with the Devilish Duke
Violet laughed and hugged her sister tighter. “There is nothing to forgive, Iris. I’m glad you were enjoying your honeymoon and not embroiled in all this. I figured it out. Well, James and I figured it out. Together.”
She smiled at the name of her husband. She couldn’t help it. She always smiled when she said his name.
As overwhelming as the last two weeks had been, what with testifying in court and having to answer a million questions, they had also been the best few weeks of her life.
All because of James. Because he had been by her side, supporting her, showing her his love, and telling her as often as possible how much he loved her.
“I am so glad that you married such a good man,” Iris continued. “Phineas speaks of him with the greatest love and respect.”
“I didn’t always know he was a good man,” Violet said. “I thought he was the Devilish Duke!”
“I was the same with Phineas,” Iris admitted, laughing. “Sometimes the best men are hiding behind a shell of toughness and severity, but once they open their hearts, you’ll find that they are the most tender of all.”
“I object to being characterized astender!”James said from the door, and the ladies turned to face him. He was smiling,however, as he winked at his sister-in-law. “A better adjective would behopelessly-in-love-with-his-wife.”
“I’ll remember that in the future,” Iris drawled, shaking her head.
“I came to see if you were ready,” James said, looking at Violet.
“Yes,” she murmured, closing her trunk and latching it. “I’m all ready.”
“I will look after Rosalie while you’re gone,” Iris promised. When Rosalie made a noise of objection, she amended quickly, “Not that she needs it!”
“That’s right,” Rosalie huffed.
“Be good for Iris and the Duke,” Violet urged, hugging her younger sister goodbye. “And don’t respond to Mr. Cain.”
“Obviously,” Rosalie muttered, rolling her eyes.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Violet said to Iris.
The two eldest Crampton sisters hugged one more time, and then Iris wiped a tear from her eye.
“Enjoy your honeymoon,” she murmured. “You deserve it.”
Five minutes later, they were in the carriage, with their trunks secured on top, and James’s valet and Violet’s lady’s maid sitting in the front with the driver. Iris, the Duke of Eavestone, and Rosalie had all come out to wave them off, and Violet leaned out of the window to wave back as the carriage lurched into motion.
“Farewell!” she called, before sliding into the seat opposite her husband and letting out a long sigh of relief. “Let’s never come back to London, shall we?”
“All right,” James said, grinning. “I’d be happy to stay in Greece forever if that’s what you want. But I think you’d miss your sisters.”
“True,” Violet agreed. “Although I certainly won’t miss all the dog-fighting gangsters, murderous fathers, conniving suitors, and evil fiancés.”
“Hopefully, there are no more of those in the future.” James smiled. “Although I assume there will be at least a little drama.”
Violet frowned at him. His eyes were sparkling, and she knew he was about to laugh.
“Why is that?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Because Rosalie is the next of your sisters to get married,” he said, before letting out a chuckle. “And if I were a betting man, I would bet that her romance is going to be even more wild than ours.”
Violet laughed. “You’re probably right. But for now, let’s just focus on enjoying the wild ending ofourromance.”
As James moved across the carriage and cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her lips up to his, she had a feeling they would have no trouble enjoying the next few weeks.
The End?
