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

"Alistair, if you don't stop this 'illness' of yours, you'll find yourself genuinely sick," Alaric warned, his voice carrying a dangerous edge that made me press my lips together to hide my amusement.


The butler coughed delicately into his handkerchief, maintaining his performance. "My apologies, Your Grace. I simply cannot control these unfortunate symptoms."


Alaric's jaw tightened as he turned back to me, clearly irritated. "We'll discuss Matteo later. For now, eat your breakfast, Isabella. The food is getting cold."


I nodded, watching as servants continued to bring in more dishes. My eyes widened as the table filled with platters of eggs prepared three different ways, sausages, bacon, fresh bread, fruit compotes, and pastries still steaming from the oven.


"Is all of this... for me?" I asked, bewildered by the sheer volume of food.


Chapter 66 - A Storm Named Alaric