Chapter 7
Cordelia entered the breakfast room clad in her best morning dress, with her dark curls gathered at the back of her head. She’d taken great effort with her appearance this morning. Not because she wished to impress Nathaniel, but because she needed the armor to bolster her confidence.
Her gaze went to Nathaniel, and she offered a pleasant smile. Not because she had suddenly developed a fondness for him, but because the previous evening had taught her two things: She did not wish to be at war with her husband, and she must guard her heart.
To that end, she said, “Good morning,” and politely took her seat at the table.
Nathaniel smiled as he returned the greeting, then added, “I am pleased to see you in a pleasant state.”
Cordelia fought the urge to say something backhanded. She inhaled a breath as she returned his smile. “I have concluded that it will do no good to argue with you. Furthermore, I am only adding to my misery by remaining angry.”
Nathaniel nodded as he reached for his glass.
Cordelia averted her gaze for a moment and collected her courage. She’d come to breakfast with a goal in mind and now was as good a time as any to pursue it.
Meeting his gaze, she said, “I would like for us to establish some rules… guidelines if you would, for our marriage.”
She collected her thoughts. All the ideas she’d considered the previous night swam through her mind as she spread jam on her biscuit. She wanted to be diplomatic in her demands, but did not wish to spark another confrontation.
Nathaniel set his glass aside and reached for his fork. “Please continue.”
Cordelia took a bite of biscuit, then swallowed. “I think it would be best for us, as well as our child if we were to become friends.”
“Quite right,” Nathaniel agreed.
Cordelia gave a slight grin of satisfaction. “As friends, we would have to honor and respect one another. You cannot treat me as property, nor will I permit you to have affairs. If we are to get along, I have to maintain my individuality, and I must be able to trust you.”
He reached for her hand, his fingers closing over hers. “I do not wish to control you, Cordelia. I want us to share a mutually fulfilling marriage.”
“About that…” She slid her hand free of his and sat back in her chair. “I do not wish to be intimate.”
Nathaniel held her gaze, his hazel eyes reflecting understanding and kindness. “I am happy to wait until you are ready.”
Cordelia shook her head. “You miss understood. I never want to share intimacies.”
Nathaniel’s eyes took on a hard edge, his face turning red. “Bloody hell, Cordelia! We already have.”
She flinched at the anger in his tone, but remained firm in her decision. “It was a mistake, and I do not wish to repeat it.”
Nathaniel stood with such speed that his chair tipped over, crashing to the floor. He leaned toward her, bracing himself on the edge of the table. “Let me get this right. You will not share your bed, but neither will you permit me to have a mistress?”
Cordelia’s face heated with embarrassment and anger. “I will not allow you to hurt our child. Neither will I put myself at risk. I cannot trust you,” she said.
“You cannot trust me?” He rose one dark eyebrow as he stared at her incredulously. “I have done nothing wrong.”
“Your reputation tells me all I need to know.”
“My reputation?” He seethed. Nathaniel pushed back from the table and strode toward her. “I was not the one who offered my wares. It was not me who hid my pregnancy. And it damn sure wasn’t me who intended to run off with our baby!”
Cordelia stood, her hands trembling with the need to slap him. She fisted her hands at her sides and peered at him. “I was trying to protect my child.”
“From its father? How valiant of you!”
“From the man who is sure to cause him or her shame and embarrassment. I’ll not stand for it,” Cordelia said, her tone firm.
“You, madam, are sorely in need of discipline. I should drag you upstairs and spank the insolence out of you this instant.” He took her arm and brought his face close to hers.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Cordelia wriggled in protest, but he did not release her.
