“That is because you intimidate them. Surely you know that?”
“And do I intimidate you?” he asked. “I would not blame you if you said I did.”
“Well, you do not. You told me that you would never hurt me, so I am taking you at your word.”
“Good, for it is the truth.”
“And,” she continued playfully, “should you go back on your word, then perhaps it is you who should be frightened.”
For a fleeting moment, she was convinced that she saw fear in his eyes.
CHAPTER 23
“Awanton?” Rowan asked incredulously. “And you believed him?”
It was the morning after Cassian had seen the changes to his home, and though he loved them, he knew he needed time to adjust. Hiding away in his untouched study with his friend helped immensely.
“Of course, I do not believe him. That man is an idiot, and seeing how he has everyone fooled, I have to question their intelligence too.”
“But these are very serious accusations. I shall gladly believe your wife’s innocence, but you seem less convinced.”
It was true. As much as Cassian claimed that he did not understand why the ton was so easily fooled by Hargrave’s act, he had to admit the man was convincing.
According to Hargrave, Adelaide had been the perfect lady, accomplished and beautiful and kind, and he had fallen for her quickly. They were the most respected couple in London, and all was well until he proposed.
“From there,” Cassian continued, “Hargrave alleges that everything changed. She knew that his reputation would be harmed if he called off the engagement, so she took it to mean that she could do as she pleased. She forbade him from looking at other ladies, she accused him of deception constantly, and she insisted on receiving a gift every day.”
“That does not sound like your wife.”
“It does not. He also claimed that one day he went to tell her that they had to postpone the wedding, for his mother’s health was declining, and in return she lashed out at him, scratching his face.”
“That truly does not sound like her.”
“Which is what I thought, though I managed to hold my tongue. There was nothing to be gained in punching the man for such accusations after all, not when he had already tried to make a case against me.”
Rowan laughed, and they both drank.
Cassian sighed. “But then I came home to find that she had made changes. She must have engaged the entire staff, because it wasdone in a single day and without my knowledge. I saw it all, and I looked at her, and Hargrave’s words came back to me. Once she thinks she has a ring, she takes the power that comes with it.”
Rowan traced his fingertip around the rim of his glass. “Are you trying to tell me that you believe him after all?”
“I am saying that there may be some truth to it. I do not want to doubt my wife, nor do I want to believe that she is a manipulative woman who is taking advantage of my mother and me, but I have to consider the possibility.”
“Do you? You know that I respect your judgment and that I value our friendship greatly, so I hope you listen very carefully. If you listen to a scorned man, you are a fool. Your wife has shown you who she is. Believethat, not some jealous fool that you took her from.”
With that, Rowan went to the curtains and opened them. Sunlight flooded the room, and though he appreciated it, Cassian wished to remain in the dark.
“You realize that you do this to yourself, no?” Rowan noted. “At this point, your misery is your own doing.”
“I am not miserable. It may be difficult for you to comprehend, but I can be content with a life that you would not desire for yourself. Besides, you like being alone just as much as I do.”
“I do not enjoy being alone; I enjoy myown company. There is a difference, and the fact that you refer to yourself as alone when you live with your mother and your wife is very telling.”
“And how else should I call it? I do not trouble them, they do not trouble me for the most part, and we exist in the same vicinity. It is as pleasant as it could be.”
“So you do not want more?”
Cassian was quiet for a moment.
