“And what does that mean?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly, looking away. “Just… just making sure you do not forget what this marriage is.”
Gabriel frowned at his wife and then flashed a toothy smile. Had she noticed the way that he stared at her? Or maybe she had felt something too, and she was doing everything that she could to push back those feelings?
Whatever it was, it intrigued him.
Gabriel did not want a love match. He did not want companionship. What he wanted was exactly what this marriage promised to be. But as was his way, good ideas often became forgotten when his intrepid desires got in the way. And what he desired right now was his wife.
“I have not forgotten,” he chuckled. “Have you?”
“What does that mean?” A flash of worry passed behind her brown eyes.
“Nothing,” he said, chuckling further. “Nothing at all.”
Again, he watched her, taking note of how uncomfortable she was suddenly behaving. It made him wonder further about what this marriage was, and where it would lead. It was one thing to act a certain way in public, but how would she change when they were alone?
That, he could not wait to find out.
“Your Grace…” Approaching them, Lord and Lady Ashbury looked their typical prim selves; noises pointed upwards, lips curled, that same expression as if they could smell something that had turned sour. “And Your Grace,” they said next to their daughter.
“Mother, Father,” Sophia said with a tight-lipped smile.
“I hope everything was up to your standards, today,” Gabriel asked them both. “I would hate for either of you to be left wanting.”
“It was a lovely ceremony,” Lady Ashbury assured them both, even if she did not sound as if she meant it. “I could not be happier.”
“As am I,” Lord Ashbury said.
“I am glad to hear it,” Sophia said. “I promise to make you both proud.”
“We both do.” Gabriel squeezed her hand, even moving it closer to himself. “I have nothing but the best intentions for this marriage, and I am certain that you will feel blessed to have me as your son-in-law
The lord and lady glanced between one another, and he could see clearly the look of distaste on their faces.
Sophia too, looked uncomfortable. She squirmed beside him and lowered her gaze as if in shame. Gabriel frowned at the reaction, even feeling slightly annoyed that she was acting this way.
Wasn’t the entire point of this marriage so she did not have to care what her parents thought? When am I going to see the real her?
“It hurts me to say, but we will be leaving shortly,” Gabriel sighed. “I pray you do not mind?” The post-ceremony breakfast was being hosted at the Ashbury House, as was tradition. “Be sure, you may visit us whenever you like.” Sophia stiffened and he felt her eyeing him. “You do not even need to tell us you are coming. Simply…” He laughed. “Appear, and our home will be yours.”
“That is most kind of you, Your Grace,” Lord Ashbury said stiffly.
Sophia was eyeing him now, her eyes wide in warning. He looked at her and shrugged, and then she narrowed her eyes.
He was trying to get a reaction out of her, and he could not say why exactly. He knew how important it was that they behaved today, so as to sell the ruse fully. But he had the distinct impression that whether they were alone or not, she would still be acting in the same withdrawn manner, and he wanted to break her of that habit.
“Perhaps a dance first?” he asked.
Her eyes widened again. “What?”
“Shall we?” He fluttered his eyelashes. “As man and wife.”
“I…” She looked around, noting the guests. “I am quite tired.”
“What of a performance of some kind? I would so love to hear you play, my love.”
She squeezed his hand painfully and glared at him. “Perhaps another time.”
