If Prim held a knife and plunged it into his stomach, it would have hurt less than how he felt at that moment.
“Prim,” he tried.
Very calmly, she looked away again out the window as if she wanted to disassociate with whatever was happening on her bed. The desire that Leo felt faded, and now all he could feel was disgust for his actions.
With one swift move, he pulled away from her, away from the bed, grabbed his robe, and covered his body. He knew exactly what he had done with the words he uttered. He had shattered something that was precious. He also knew how to fix this, what he had to say. Those were words spoken in the heat of the moment, in a fit of anger. That she was never a wife of circumstance, that this was not a marriage of convenience.
However, if he did that, then it would mean that she was something else entirely for him and that their marriage, perhaps started from convenience, but it had transformed. Prim would forgive him and understand him, she might even tease and joke. However, if he did that, it would mean admitting out loud, not only to himself but to Prim as well, things that he was not ready to acknowledge.
“Goodnight”
That was all he said, and he went back into his room.
The days that followed were a cataclysmic shift in their household. One of his favorite things in the day was having breakfast with her. She was always so energetic and chatty in the morning, matching his energy most of the days. It was a good way to start the day, with a little teasing and joking and making plans for the day.
The first morning she got down for breakfast, she entered the room and did something which she had never done before in front of him. She curtsied formally, used his title instead of his name, and sat down for a silent breakfast. From that day on, she never used his name again. Instead, he was only “Your Grace” and then nothing more.
“We uhm,” Leo said that morning, “We are invited to a garden party at the Patton Mansion.”
Prim went through her growing correspondence over her tea, not sparing a glance his way.
“Yes, I am aware. Lady Crawford sent me a personalized invitation. She would be honored if I were to attend the party.”
“We can decline if you don't want to.”
“I have no intention of declining. The Ladies' Association For The Poor would be present, and I am expected to show my face, mingle, and help raise the funds needed for the new hospital. Your presence, however, is at your discretion.”
The tone of her voice was something completely different from what he had ever heard from her. Leo recognized the tone. It was the same one that every respectable lady used, especially a Duchess of her caliber, even, controlled and restricted.
“No,” he responded. “I realize this funding means a lot to you, and it would be better and easier if we appeared together.”
“I appreciate the offer. Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You know you can still use my name.”
“I find that such familiarity might bring misunderstandings. It is better not to forget our places,” she said with a cold, even, perfect smile.
“And yet I still call you Prim.”
“That is your prerogative as the Lord of the house.”
Leo felt anger come over him.
“Don’t you think you’re taking this too far?”
“In the country. I believe it was taken too far before, and now it returns to the lengths that it was supposed to be,” she said, and finally looked up to him.
It surprised him that there was still no anger at all in her look. Anger would equal emotions, and emotions could finally lead to the way things were. But what Prim deployed in front of his eyes was logic, cold and hard, completely restrained. She had built a wall and kept herself firmly closed inside it.
“Now,” her voice was oddly soft and elegant, “I have gathered some supplies and food, and have arranged to distribute them in the orphanage today. Have a great day, Your Grace.”
As she rose to leave, Leo noticed something that had escaped him. Prim was not wearing the pearl necklace. He realized with wide eyes that it had been days since he had seen that necklace hanging from her neck. Prim never took that off except after sated and satisfied in his arms, she would unclasp it and place it on the nightstand, only to grab it first thing in the morning.
“Where is your pearl necklace?” Leo asked.
“You mean the Mildenhall heirloom you provided for me? I do not think it is a suitable thing to wear in an orphanage. I will make sure to wear it to the garden party if that is what you wish.”
“If that is whatIwish?”
