As they walked back through the ballroom, she found her gaze continuously drifting to watch her husband. He wore a passive expression; he did not smile or gloat or look at all concerned for what had just happened. It was, in many ways, normal fare for a man like him.
But that was what made it so interesting.
Seeing the way that Caspian had stood up to Lord Donmere was affecting Thalia more than she might have thought was possible. She had no doubt that he was angry, but he did not need to show it. Why would he? That wasn’t the type of man that Caspian was.
And quite honestly, Thalia had rather liked it.
I have been wrong this whole time. Instead of trying to turn Caspian into who I want him to be, I should have been learning to accept him for who he is.
Her husband was never going to be the type who laughed at her jokes. He was never going to be the type who took pleasure in small talk and getting to know more about those he cared for. But that did not mean he did not care. Thalia had seen just now how much he did.
Thalia’s heart was still racing from the interaction with Lord Donmere. And her body was still flushed from watching her husband put him in his place.
Not only did she like what she had just seen, but she liked that it was her husband who she saw do it.
Suddenly, this marriage did not look nearly so hopeless as it had done. Suddenly, Thalia saw her path forward.
Chapter Twelve
Thalia was breaking her fast when she was informed that a guest had arrived at the estate. Naturally, she assumed the guest to be for her husband.
“I believe His Grace is upstairs,” she said with a sigh. “No doubt he is awake, if you wish to inform him.”
It should not have annoyed Thalia that Caspian did not join her this morning to break his fast, because that wasn’t the type of marriage that this was ever going to be. What was more, after last evening, she had come to accept as much.
Still…it would be nice if he put in some effort. I see now that I cannot change who he is, but does that mean he has to be so distant. How can I accept him for who he is if I am not even given the chance to do so?
“You misunderstand me, Your Grace,” the valet said. “The guest is here to see you. It is Lord Harrington, the Duke of Wexford. He asked specifically to see you.”
“Damien?” Thalia perked up, surprised to hear that her brother was here. “He is here?”
“Shall I bring him to see you?”
“Yes, of course,” she said. “And then inform the kitchen, in case he wishes to sup.”
The valet bowed his head and hurried from the room.
Thalia frowned as she considered the reason for this unexpected visit. It had been over a week now since she’d last seen her brother, the day of the wedding, in fact. She wondered if maybe he had come to check on her, his brotherly instinct wanting to know if things were going well for her.
She also wondered if his reasons were more sinister in nature, because she knew her brother well enough to know that he wouldn’t waste time coming all this way just to check on her wellbeing.
Indeed, when Damien strode into the breakfast room a moment later, she decided that her second instinct was correct.
“Damien.” She sat up and smiled warmly for her brother. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
The warmth she wore on her face was swatted away by the cold glare that her brother fixed on her. Rarely did Damien allow himself to show anger. The fact that he wore it so openly on his face right now was telling.
“I doubt you will be saying the same once you find out why I am here,” Damien growled.
Thalia did not flinch. “Would you like to eat? I have asked the kitchens to prepare something for you.”
“That will not be necessary.”
“Oh?”
“I won’t be here for long enough.” He stopped by where she sat, folded his arms, and looked down at her. “Is it true?”
She frowned up at him. “You might have to be clearer. I am sure many things are true.”
