Violette had stopped counting how many cuts she’d tended or how many burns. These poor men.

At least the work kept her from thinking overly much. Because every time she considered Theo, her heart began to race.

She was marrying a man who was nearly perfect. So why did she want to cry?

Because he didn’t feel the way she did.

There was no choice, however. An offer from a duke was the best her family could hope for. And that was why she’d set off on this journey in the first place. She’d been willing to sacrifice her future happiness. Still was. She just hadn’t expected her impending marriage to break her heart.

There was no doubt that was what would happen. She could already see it. Theo would leave her over and over, to go off on his grand adventures. Never mind that she’d want to join him. The fact was, she’d stay home and say goodbye to her husband. She likely wouldn’t know where he was or what he was doing while she kept the family in order. Tended their flock. It would slowly tear her heart into thousands of tiny pieces.

Shaking her head, she wondered how she would survive. It was better and worse than she had ever imagined, but it was the path she would take.

Tricia stopped next to her. “How do you fare?”

“Fine.” She pulled up the corners of her mouth in an attempt to look happy and hide her inner turmoil. By all accounts, she should be thrilled to be engaged and it was wonderful to help people. There was no reason for her to appear upset. “It’s nice to be of service.”

Tricia dipped her chin in agreement. “It is. At one time, I thought to forgo marriage and devote myself to charity.” Tricia shrugged. “Ryker presented me with a unique opportunity to both marry and continue to help people.

“Opportunity?” Violette perked up at that. “Did you make an arrangement of sorts that would be beneficial to both of you?”

Tricia’s eyes narrowed. “I suppose that we did. Why do you ask?”

“It’s nice to see that sort of arrangement can work out, is all. His Grace is so obviously smitten with you. Did that develop over time?” Violette held her breath hoping that Tricia would say that is was possible. That maybe Theo would grow to care for her in time.

“Not all that long. Even before we’d wed, he’d realized our relationship was more than an arrangement.”

Violette swallowed and hunched her shoulders. For a moment she’d had hope that it might work out.

“Are you all right?” Tricia asked. “Do you need someone to escort you to the inn?”

“Oh no, I’m fine.” She pasted a smile on her face. “I’m glad to help.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been very quiet. And my last comments…” Tricia tipped her head to one side. “I know this is a somber occasion but you’ve just gotten engaged. I heard marriage contracts were being drawn up while we’re here.”

She tried to keep her face impassive but she must have winced because Tricia’s eyes widened. “Are you not happy about the engagement?”

“I am.” She placed a hand on Tricia’s arm, trying her best to be sincere. “I couldn’t ask for better than Theo.” It was mostly true. In many ways she was very lucky to have made a match with him.

“What then?” Tricia asked.

She couldn’t confide in Theo’s sister. It was ridiculous. But then whom could she speak with? She could at least share part of the truth. “Your brother is so handsome and kind. I am truly fortunate. But Theo plans to start travelling again once we’re married. It frightens me to think of a holding up his interests while he’s gone. He wants me to—”

Tricia’s gasp interrupted. “By the saints.” Then she snapped her jaw closed. “I know what his plan is now. I should have known all along. His turn around was after you told him you’d been investing for your brother.” Her foot stomped. “This is the last straw. He can not take his responsibilities from Luke and Ryker and place them on you. It’s absolutely absurd.”

“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?