Alexander shrugged. It felt like he did not really mind if anyone found out, though the thought alone made her blush furiously.
“You are rather accepting of your choices,” she admitted after a moment. “You do not care that people will notice the crumple in your shirt, and make conclusions of their own.”
“Why would I waste my time in caring about such a silly thing?” he asked her blankly. “Whatever conspired between us happened between a husband and wife. They have no jurisdiction over our private matters.”
She blushed harder at the way that he had phrased things.
“But rather, only you have jurisdiction of whatever happens between the two of us?” she asked, slowly bringing the conversation back to what they had been talking about before. Though now, the idea of him controlling her life did not seem so frustrating.
If anything, it almost felt a bit romantic. Though she would not dare admit that out loud to him, lest it gave him license to extend his control even more than it already was.
“I am the head of our household,” he told her. “And I am your husband, so yes, I do control you.”
“And what if I am not someone who is easily controlled?” she prodded, “What then? My father thought the same about me, and he quickly found out that it was not something that was possible.”
Alexander smiled smugly. As usual, he thought he was the exception and none of the rules applied to him.
“Or you will find that I am capable of doing what I say,” he said in a low voice.
Once again, Penelope shivered. She hoped that he would think it was only due to the passing wind, not his words.
“Well, I am not to be underestimated either,” she said finally. “But perhaps, it would be best if we were to find a middle ground , something that works for the both of us.”
“If you are referring to Odette getting permission to go to the park then I am afraid that there is no middle ground that can be reached there,” he told her flatly. “And you are only wasting your time in trying to do that.”
Penelope sighed. She knew that she had to play this smartly, if she had any chance of getting a semblance of a win from this conversation.
“Well, then. Let me be the first to compromise,” she said. “I can lead by example.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow in her direction, curious to know where exactly she was headed with this.
“I shall ask my sister Isadora to accompany us on the walk,” she started. “And you may let Fergus and Lewis tag along, but they are to remain at a distance where we cannot see them.”
Alexander tightened his jaw.
“That is still a lot.”
“It is better than a complete absence,” she wagered. “And if you wish to keep me happy, then you will agree with my terms.”
“So suddenly this has become about your happiness?” he asked. “Are you trying to imply that I do not keep you happy, as is?”
Penelope blushed again.
“You do,” she said in a small voice. It was the first time that she had admitted such a thing out loud to him. “But for the sake of us not arguing further, it would be good if you agree to what I am suggesting .”
Alexander pressed his hands against his face.
“Why couldn’t you be someone who was more easily agreeable?” he said more to himself than to her.
“Then I would not be me,” she answered anyway. “You know this. Besides, I am slowly coming to accept you the way that you are. It would be good if you do the same.”
“Fine then,” he said bluntly. “I will agree to your terms.”
“Good,” A smile spread across her face. It was contagious, as a moment later she caught him smiling, too. “Now, we should head back inside. We have been away for too long, and it is rude to the hosts.”
Alexander muttered a faint agreement.
CHAPTER 19
