Violet felt as if she might be vexing Mr. McCarthy, but his face softened with sympathy. “I am sure that this offer comes as a surprise to you. His Grace is searching for a bride, who will be his wife and provide an heir to the title Duke of Farnham, and he believes that you are the best woman to wed.”
“I just do not understand why.”
Mr. McCarthy smiled. “He has heard that you are intelligent, charming, and beautiful, and of all the women in the village, he has decided that you are the best suited.”
“But why would the duke wish to wed a woman in the village?” Violet’s father asked. “Why would he not seek out a lady of the ton?”
Perhaps none of the ton will offer their daughters to him.
Mr. McCarthy shrugged. “I cannot speak to His Grace’s motivations, but I can assure you that the offer is real.”
“I do not know what to say,” Violet said, looking to her father.
“This is very generous,” her father said. Violet took some comfort seeing that he seemed as surprised as she was by this unexpected turn of events. “We will need some time to contemplate His Grace’s generous offer.”
“Of course,” Mr. McCarthy replied smoothly. “The Duke of Farnham anticipated that you might need time to think about the contract and also that you might wish to discuss it in private. I was also told to inform you that His Grace will happily offer you the consultation of a solicitor if you need one, although I know that you are also well-versed in the law, Mr. Brewer.”
Violet’s father frowned. For a long moment, he simply stared silently at the papers in his hands. “The choice is my daughter’s,” he said at last. “She will decide if she wishes to wed His Grace or not.”
Violet drew in a sharp breath of air. It was difficult for her to form a coherent thought about what she ought to do. His Grace’s offer was beyond generous, but she could still scarcely believe it. The Duke of Farnham wished to marry her. It seemed impossible. Violet swallowed hard. “I wish to speak to my father in private,” she said.
Mr. McCarthy nodded. “Of course. Shall I return in the morning?”
“I think that would be for the best,” her father said. “That will give my daughter sufficient time to decide if she wishes to wed His Grace or not.”
“Of course.”
Mr. McCarthy bid them farewell, and after he was gone, Violet and her father sat together in the parlor. Her father ran a hand through his hair. “The choice is yours, my dear.”
Violet bit the inside of her cheek. Her first, instinctive reaction was that she could not possibly wed the Duke of Farnham, the man who allegedly murdered his late duchess.
“What do you think, though?” Violet asked. “Father?”
He sighed. “I cannot say. His Grace is promising you a great deal.”
“He is,” Violet replied. “What do you think of the rumors?”
Her father frowned. “Do you believe them?”
Violet bit the inside of her cheek. “I do not know.”
“I do not,” her father said, “if that is your concern. I met His Grace once when I was a young man, and he always seemed to be a good man. I think the duchess’s death was just poor luck.”
Violet looked at her father, trying to decide how she felt about the revelation that he did not distrust His Grace. Maybe she had misjudged the Duke of Farnham by not pausing to question the rumors. It had never really mattered before, though, what she thought about the rumors. Violet had never encountered the duke.
If it was simply poor luck, though…Violet frowned and clasped her hands in her lap, as the significance of the offer sank in. She had always imagined that she would marry a love-match, and agreeing to wed His Grace for monetary gain instead felt as if she were profoundly betraying all her principles.
How could she refuse the offer, though? The Duke of Farnham was offering her money to see that her mother was properly cared for, that her parents would have a proper place to live, and that she would live a life of luxury.
“I need to think,” Violet said. “This is too much for me.”
“I am sure His Grace will allow you the time to think.”
Violet bit her lip and slowly stood. “I wish to go on a walk. I think it will help me clear my mind.”
Her father nodded. Violet slowly rose from her chair and took a steadying breath. She needed a walk and maybe another opinion. Liza had not yet left for London. ADuchess…
Violet forced a smile for her father. “I will make the right decision,” she said.
