He ignored the reply. Violet meant no harm by it. They were both aware of his lifestyle and reputation and what use was there in denying it? It was like refuting that a rooster crowed in the morning. He was a bachelor rake, and nothing could change that.
“Turn around,” he ordered.
She twisted, allowing him to pull several grips from her hair and place them between his lips. The scent of soap and something fruity teased him. The desire to lean in and see what the skin at the back of her neck tasted like fisted at his gut.
The Duke drew in a long breath and focused on the puzzle in front of him. He twisted and pinned and set the clasp in place then eyed it. “Your lady’s maid might not think it the best job, but it will certainly service you for the night.”
Violet twisted and fixed him with a bright smile. “You are a most excellent friend, Duke.”
Friend? He forced a tight smile. Yes. Friend. And nothing would change that, no matter what ridiculous thoughts plagued his mind at present. They would flitter away soon enough; of that he was certain. He’d never entertained thoughts of a single woman for long. Violet might be different to his conquests in many ways, but he was most definitely not.
Chapter Three
“Why do I have to do this?”
Violet eyed the birdcage with distaste. The cage stretched nearly to the ceiling and spanned the width of the private drawing room. Violet never really understood why her father liked birds but apparently it was something to do with how long the creatures had been on earth and how little they’d evolved in such time. She struggled to imagine all these brightly colored, delicate but noisy creatures survived alone. Her father’s birds were thoroughly spoiled.
A budgerigar ruffled its feathers and cocked its head as if to tell her she was no different.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t get immediately eaten by a cat,” she told the bird before turning to her mother. “Clean the birdcage? Really?”
Her mother waved a hand at her then thrust a cloth into her hand. “Your father thinks hard work builds character.”
Violet huffed out a breath. “Can I not do other hard work? We were planning the meals for the festive season, Mama. That sounds like work to me.”
“Your father grew up partaking in physical labor and I do not disagree that there is something in it that helps create a more well-rounded person. Even I mucked out the horses when I was a child, and I was the daughter of a duke!”
Violet shook her head. “You already told us the story of how frustrated your father was that you did not try to be a proper lady. I imagine he would have been happy had you forgone all hard labor.”
Her mother tutted, pulled her woolen shawl tight around her shoulders, and fixed her with a cool look. It was rare Violet’s mother lost her temper or scolded them but even at her age, Violet felt the slightest need to shrink away lest she be scolded.
“Cleaning out a bird cage is hardly hard labor anyway. Now get on with it and then we can plan the meals once you are done. We only have the few days leading up to New Year to think about now.”
Sighing, Violet turned back to eye the birds. There were many reasons she never wished to be married but was this what spinster life was going to be like? Forever being told what to do by her parents? It felt ridiculous being nearly thirty and having her life dictated to her.
Of course, there were few other options. Maybe once Clem and Roman had children she could offer to move in with them and work hard on become a wild spinster aunt. She certainly had enough eccentric women around her to model herself on.
“Ugh, not the birdcage.”
Violet spun around to find Lilly in the doorway. Lean and tall with dark eyes and rich brown hair, Lily took entirely after their mother who was no longer as lean or dark-haired but maintained chiseled features. Although Clem had red hair, the rest of them all took after their father. Even now, Lilly could not remain still. Violet waved the cloth in her hand.
“Just the person I wanted to see. Mama wants you to clean the birdcage.”
Hands to her hips, Lilly cocked her head. “I’m no fool.”
“Oh please, Lil. I have other duties to which to attend.”
“Mama still insists on preparing you for your wifely duties then?”
“But of course.”
“You would think she would realize at your age that you are unlikely to marry.”
Violet straightened. She shouldn’t be offended. After all, she herself had decried the idea of marriage many a time. It was hard, however, to release the idea that had been embedded in her since she was a young girl—that the perfect match would somehow complete her life.
Too bad the perfect match had never—and would never—come along. There were no perfect men in the world, and she had made her peace with that.
“I think Mama just trains me out of habit.”