Violet_167

Isabella Beaumont figured she was making a smart, if desperate, trade: her freedom in exchange for marrying the dreaded Duke Alaric Thorne. 
Sure, the guy had a reputation darker than a moonless night, whispered about in every corner of the kingdom, but it was just a contract, right? A way to escape a brutal past that had literally left its mark on her face. 
She wasn’t expecting warmth, and definitely not passion. But then Alaric, this formidable, feared man, starts acting… protective. His unexpected kindness will make her want to throw away her protective mask and actually fall for the man who was supposed to be just her ticket to freedom. 
Just as Isabella starts believing she might actually deserve happiness, everything begins falling apart around them.
With the villains on the loose, old wounds being ripped open, and everyone’s true colors showing, is this sudden, fierce love strong enough to survive the storm? Or will the darkness from their pasts and the deadly games shatter everything they’re starting to build?

The Masked Duchess

"Did you choose me to spy on Lady Clara?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


The Duchess's eyes widened slightly behind her mask, and I immediately regretted my boldness. I had only been in her service for less than an hour, and already I was questioning her motives. Before I could stammer out an apology, she shook her head.


"Not exactly," Isabella replied, her voice calm and measured. "I didn't choose you to spy on my sister or as some tool for revenge. I chose you because I knew you wouldn't willingly report back to Clara."


I frowned slightly, confused by her reasoning.


"You fear her," she continued, "and from what you've just told me, you have good reason to dislike her as well. That makes you less likely to betray my confidence."


Her logic made sense. Still, I couldn't help but feel there was more to it.


Chapter 32 - An Unsettling Calm