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

The sun cast long shadows through the grimy windows of the Beaumont estate as Lady Beatrix collapsed into a faded armchair. My head throbbed with each beat of my heart, the constant stream of visitors offering their "condolences" for Reginald's death wearing on my last nerve. None of them brought anything useful – just empty words and curious stares.


"Will there be any more callers today, Jasper?" I massaged my temples, hoping the headache would subside.


Our aging butler shook his head. "None scheduled, my lady. Though the Wilsons sent word they might come tomorrow."


"More vultures," I muttered. "Coming to see how far we've fallen." The estate was crumbling around us, and these so-called friends brought nothing but empty hands and pitying glances.


"Perhaps rest would be beneficial, my lady," Jasper suggested gently.


Chapter 60 - A Villain's Visit, A Mother's Machinations