“It is,” he said simply. “And yet, I am quite sure that come the day of the ceremony, I will see you at the end of the aisle, smiling as if it is the most wonderful day of your life.”
Her eyes flashed hatred. “Are you really so –”
“Sorry to interrupt.” Stepping around them was Ironvale, and he wore a cheeky smirk. “Lady Thalia Harrington, I presume?” Heoffered her a short bow. “His Grace has just been telling me all about you.”
“Is that so?” she said dryly. “It must have been a short conversation, as His Grace knows almost nothing about me.”
Ironvale laughed. “Oh, she is wonderful.”
That is one word for it, but not the word that I would use.
Caspian was not surprised by her antipathy, but that did not mean he appreciated it. Despite the strange circumstances that brought this union about, Caspian still needed it to go smoothly.
He looked down at her, keeping his visage calm, letting his eyes show her that he did not appreciate the hostility. She met his eyes, matched his stare, her jaw setting as stubbornly as any mule’s.
This had Caspian thinking quickly.
His initial plan was to have as little to do with his wife as was possible. He would see her on the day of the wedding. They would consummate until she was with child. And then, hopefully, they could continue on as if the other did not exist.
A mode of operation I believe she will be perfectly willing to accept.
Now, Caspian was starting to see a problem… one that, in hindsight, he should have predicted. The woman was just so cantankerous, and he wondered if she was already trying to find a way out of this arraignment.
If she was, he would need to stop her. And to do that, he would need to keep an eye on her.
“A gown, you say?” Caspian asked her.
“That’s right.”
He turned slightly and noticed that they were standing outside of a modiste. “From here? I believe this shop has quite the reputation.”
Lady Thalia narrowed her eyes. “It does, but I do not expect you to –”
“Wonderful,” he cut her off. “I shall join you.”
“What?” she gasped.
“Ah, Caspian…” Ironvale stepped beside him. “We have business, remember? The entire point of our meeting today.”
Caspian cursed silently. The meeting he had was important – they all were, because he did not schedule meetings otherwise.And Caspianhatedcancelling at the last minute. Alas, this was infinitely more important, an admission that irked him terribly.
“I am sure you can handle it without me,” he said.
Ironvale frowned and leaned back. “Without you? When have you ever –”
“You will be fine.” He looked pointedly at his friend.
“I guess I will be,” Ironvale said carefully. “Lady Thalia, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“As it was you,” she said stiffly.
Ironvale was quick then to hurry down the street, leaving Caspian alone with Lady Thalia and her maid.
“I would really prefer if you do not join me,” she said.
“I am sure you would prefer a great many things,” he responded coolly. “But as you are surely starting to realize, in this world, we rarely get what we want.”
The look she gave him wasn’t so much hate as it was disbelief. Her expression contorted, and she shook her head. The doubtful, look in her eyes suggested that she did not understand what she was looking at exactly. As if it was a dream that she could not wake up from.
