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

"Matteo?" I couldn't hide the way my eyes lit up at the mention of my old friend. The head cook had been one of my only allies in that miserable house, sneaking me food when my stepmother thought I deserved to go hungry.


Alaric's gaze sharpened, his jaw tightening as he observed my reaction. "Yes, him," he said coolly. "I still find myself wondering if there wasn't something more between you two."


I set my teacup down with an audible clink. "Are you serious? I just told you he's married with three children and old enough to be my father."


"That doesn't stop some men," Alaric countered, leaning back in his chair with an air of stubborn certainty. "The way he looked at you—"


"Was like an older brother!" I interrupted, exasperation creeping into my voice. "Matteo secretly gave me food when no one was looking. He risked his position to make sure I didn't starve."


Chapter 65 - A Cook's Crush, A Butler's Sneezes