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

I met Julian Vale's calculating gaze with practiced calm, though my heart hammered against my ribs. This was my chance—perhaps our only chance to communicate with Elara directly.


"How thoughtful of you to offer, Mr. Vale," I replied, my voice deliberately measured behind my veil. "I would be delighted to consult with your talented Miss Ainsworth. I've been searching for a couturière with a truly exceptional eye."


Vale's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Excellent. I'll have a private design studio prepared for you both." He snapped his fingers, and an attendant materialized at his side. "Arrange the blue salon for Lady Isobel and Miss Ainsworth. Ensure they have all necessary design portfolios and fabric samples."


I glanced at Cassian, who gave me an almost imperceptible nod. We had anticipated this possibility in our planning. With one finger, I casually touched my brooch once—the signal to Alaric that things were proceeding as expected.


Chapter 156 - A Coded Message in Silk and Thread