“Your behavior is inappropriate and, frankly, unacceptable,” he chided, not having the patience to lead with softer words. “We live under the same roof now, and I understand you are used to dining alone, given Kerrington’s frequent absences. But I am here, and you are my wife, and it is customary to dine together. It is quite rude of you to do otherwise.”
Her brow furrowed at his berating, but he could hardly care.
“You were raised properly,” he continued. “You ought to know that dinner times are usually spent with those you live?—”
“What you do not understand, Your Grace, is that I am taking care of a four-month-old baby.”
“You have a nursemaid,” he pointed out. “That is her role—to assist you.”
“I will not pass on my mothering duties only to argue with you over meals.”
“If you stopped being so antagonistic, we would not have to argue.”
“And ifyoustopped being so stubborn and secretive about your past, then I would not have anything to argue with you about.”
He hadn’t expected that, and he blanched for a second, glaring at her. “Duchess.”
“Your Grace.”
“Heavens, have you always been this difficult?” he huffed, his frustration flaring. “Your sisters must have?—”
“Do not speak about my sisters,” she snapped. “You do not know me, nor do youcareto know me, so why should I bother to pretend to seek your company?”
“I know you do not trust me, but we can still dine together,” he bit out. “Yes, this marriage is purely business?—”
“As you keep reminding me?—”
“Do not interrupt me, Duchess.” His tone was clipped.
Gabriel was not accustomed to being spoken over or silenced like the night before or even ignored. It seemed his wife was intent on doing all of that.
“I understand that you wish to take care of your daughter and that you cannot bear to part from her, but no harm will come to her in this house. I will remind you a thousand times a day, if need be.”
“Multiple assurances are not necessary,” Sibyl told him. “I am comforted by being at her side, and that is none of your business.”
“It is when you constantly leave your husband to dine alone.”
Sibyl cocked her head, the slight arrogance looking out of place on her soft features, yet he was quite captivated by it. For a moment, his annoyance banked.
“Did you know that when Isabella married the Duke of Rochdale, he left her to dine in her room for days? She had to fight for his company.”
“What your sister and her husband did is none of my concern,” he stated. “I concern myself withus,and I am requesting that you join me for breakfast tomorrow. I have been informed that you have not even called for food to be brought up here.”
“Your Grace, it almost sounds like this is not about company at all, for I know you are used to dining alone. It rather sounds like you are concerned about my well-being.” Her tone turned a little sarcastic, and Gabriel fought the urge to grab her shoulders and shake sense into her. “But I am fine. I will eat when I am hungry?—”
The growling of her stomach cut her off, and her eyes widened.
Gabriel tilted his head, smirking. “It sounds as though you already are,” he drawled. “Come, Duchess. Eat something.”
“But my daughter?—”
He had already stepped into the hallway, motioning for the nursemaid to go back to the nursery.
“Do hold Lady Rose for a while while the Duchess eats something,” he instructed.
Hannah nodded before eagerly reentering the nursery, her arms extended.
“I am fine,” Sibyl insisted, holding her baby to her chest.
