Stuart frowned.“He just wanted to complain about my lack of interest in our holdings.Admonish me for not taking my role as his successor seriously.The usual.”He raised a hand, and one of the footmen hurried over to refill his glass.
“Perhaps we should take a trip to visit one of the houses.It might be nice to get out of the city.And you could show your father that you do have an interest in learning how the estates run.”She peeked up at Stuart, and just as she expected, his face contorted with a sneer.
“In February?There is nothing entertaining to do in the country.At least in the summer, there is riding, and hunting in the fall.”
“Well, perhaps you could just send me, then.”She hoped she sounded nonchalant.
“No.”His frown deepened.“You belong with me.Why do you want to leave me for the country?”
At his tone, Violet tried to keep a steady hand as she reached for her glass of wine.“I simply thought the fresh country air might be good for the baby, that’s all.”
He grunted, then stabbed a piece of potato and stuffed it into his mouth.He had eaten barely anything, but she had noticed the footman leave the room to refill the wine carafe.She’d hoped to plant the seed that he could send her to the country for the duration of her pregnancy, but her instincts were telling her that Stuart’s mood was becoming increasingly volatile, so she decided to change the subject.
“Shall we attend the Pierson ball on Saturday?I am finally feeling up to attending social functions again.”
“Bloody Pierson cleaned me out last night at the piquet table.He and his chums always seem to win.Cheated me, is what I think.We will not be attendinghisparty.”
Violet kept her sigh silent.“Well, I will look through our invitations and see what might be diverting.”She finished eating in silence.Trying to make conversation with Stuart was exhausting.
Stuart continued to brood over his wine long after she wanted to leave the table.From experience, she dared not rise to leave before him.As the silence stretched, though, she became increasingly irate.Stuart mostly ignored her unless he wanted to exercise his marital rights.He was off with friends doing God knows what most days, but became upset if she visited any of her friends, even just for tea.She was only allowed to go to social events with him.And now he’d decided to dine with her and had spent the entire dinner sulking like a petulant child.Well, she was tired.All she wanted was to change into her cozy dressing gown and read her novel.Violet laid her hands on the tabletop and pushed up out of her seat before any of the footmen could rush over to pull back the chair.“I think I shall retire for the evening.Good night, husband.”
As she passed his chair, he reached out and grasped her wrist.“My lady, won’t you keep me company tonight?”His other hand spanned her waist.He squeezed and then chuckled.“You really are starting to get fat.”
“I am with child.What did you think would happen?”she replied hotly.She tugged her arm from his grasp.“I’m tired, Stuart.I am going to retire.”
“Is this how it’s going to be now?You are going to be tired and cranky?”he sneered.
She knew better than to take his bait, so she just moved toward the doors.If she could just get upstairs, perhaps he would go back to his wine and leave her alone.She hurried through to the hall.
But luck was not with her tonight.Stuart followed across the front foyer.“If you won’t service me anymore, perhaps it’s time that I take a proper mistress.”
At the base of the stairs, Violet whirled around.“Perhaps you should.I give you my blessing if you only send me away to one of the country houses to have this baby.”
His expression darkened.He stalked over to her.“No, you belong here with me.And I don’t need your permission for anything I do.”He grabbed her arm painfully.“Do you hear me?You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
Violet glared up at him.“No, that’s your father’s job.You don’t even know how to run all of what will be yours one day.”
Stuart stepped back and then slapped her across the face, sending her stumbling backward against the newel post.
Violet grasped her skirts up, turned, and fled up the stairs.
“Where do you think you are going?”Stuart yelled from below.
She only made it halfway up the grand sweep of marble stairs before he caught her by the dress.She fell forward but managed to catch herself with her hands.The jarring impact shot up to her shoulders.
Stuart twisted her to face him, his body pinning her to the stairs.“You need to be taught a lesson in obedience.”He took her mouth in a punishing kiss.“Maybe if I take you right here on the stairs like a common harlot, you would learn that you’re mine.”Then his tongue was pushing into her mouth.He shoved her skirts up over her knees.
Violet wrenched her head to the side.“Stuart, stop!Get off me.You’re being an animal!”
Abruptly, Stuart rolled off of her and sat on the step, breath heaving.Violet didn’t hesitate.She scrambled to her feet and raced to the top of the stairs.
“Violet, wait!”Stuart stalked up the stairs after her.“Don’t you run from me.I am your husband!”He grabbed her arm just as she managed the top step.
“Stuart, let me go.”
He shook her like a rag doll.His face contorted with anger, his breath thick with alcohol.“You don’t run from me.You’re mine.Do you hear me?”
She jerked back from him as hard as she could muster, pulling her arm from his painful grip.
