Maddie pointed out a vanity. "What do you think of this?"
"Perfect. Ruby?"
The saleslady hustled over. "Yes, ma'am."
"This, please."
Anna huffed. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Giving Ruby a huge commission." I didn't face her when I answered. "Burke told me to buy anything I need. In fact, he said I could buy out all the stores if I want."
"But this is ugly," Anna said, "and there's no room for this."
"Oh, are we buying things for you now?" I lifted my head from the hamper I was inspecting. "Because otherwise, I don't give a tiny rat's ass if you think it's ugly."
Maddie cracked up, holding out a framed print. "How about this?"
"Oh, how sweet. That will look great in the nursery."
At the end of the day, I was positively exhausted, and I knew I'd made an enemy of Anna. On the other hand, Maddie and I had become friends.
Burke waited for me in the foyer when I entered. "How was your day?"
"Tiresome," I replied, passing him.
"Wait, where are you going? Dinner is ready."
Pausing on the stairs, I said, "Then I guess I'll be right back."
I took a moment to wash my hands and face. Several deep breaths calmed me, but I knew it wasn't enough. The events of the day had drained me, and I wasn't used to being so catty. Between my hormones and the emotional upheaval, my defenses were down, and I still had to make it through the evening with Burke.
Thankfully, he waited for me at the foot of the stairs, or I couldn't have found the dining room alone in this massive mansion.
Once we sat, he cleared his throat. "I had a few messages from Anna while you were out."
Playing with my water glass, I said, "Oh? Did she tell you Harper sends her regards?"
Choking on the wine he'd just sipped, he slapped his chest until he'd cleared his trachea. "No, why would you say that?"
"She assisted us at the furniture store, and Anna was ever so helpful in letting me in on your little secret."
"There's nothing between me and Harper, I assure you. Anna was a bit put out by some of the things you said to her." He helped himself to a platter of roasted vegetables before passing it to me.
"I'm sure she was, and now I have to accept a talking-to from her brother." I paused. "Or are you her ruler? No. Liege lord? Sovereign?"
He made a sound of disgust. "Enough. I understand if you aren't fond of her, but you could at least make an effort."
Tossing my fork down with a clatter, I leaned back in my chair. "You're right, I should make more of an effort. I've left my home, my friends—where I was hiding in fear, mind you—to have you drag me here and insist we get married even though it's not ideal. I have no contact with anyone since you took my phone, leaving me entirely isolated. Then, you thrust me into a day of bullshit with your superior asshole of a sister, who drags me to visit your lover while they gang up to tell me where I'm personally lacking and that my choices aren't good enough. Have I missed anything?"
While I breathed heavily, he sat and stared at me. Without saying a word, he got up and left the table. The day had sucked from start to finish, and now he was mad at me for speaking my mind for a change. What else could I do but burst into tears?
Soon enough, the crying stopped, and I stared at the tabletop. Food didn't appeal to me anymore, but I knew I needed to eat for the baby. With effort, I ate the roasted vegetables already on my plate, gulped down the water, and fled the lower floor.
Hoping not to run into Burke, I closed my bedroom door and looked around. Earlier, the idea of opening all my new things had seemed exciting. Now, I pushed the bags and boxes off the bed and climbed onto it.
At the knock on the door, I remained silent, hoping Burke would get the hint to leave me alone. It opened anyway, and a bespectacled dark-haired man about my age poked his head in. "Miss Hawthorne?"
"Who are you?"
