“And what about what happened in the carriage on the way here?”
A sharp flicker of shame cut through him. He had surrendered to desire—and in doing so, shattered the vow he had made to himself: that this marriage would remain untouched, unconsummated. A…transaction, nothing more.
“There weretwopeople in that carriage,” he underlined.
“But only one was a man with the body and strength of a primitive savage capable of overpowering the other. As I see it, I did not have much choice…”
Gideon gaped. “You hadeverychoice. I am no ravisher!”
They were both growing hot again, voices rising. He fought back control, alarmed at how she was managing to get under his skin and exert such ascendancy over the levers of his soul. No one could manipulate him—he took pride in that. It was neverhewho should be feeling like a marionette.
“If you are not, then you do a very good imitation of one. Taking advantage of a helpless woman, atop whom you have been thrown by an accident of the carriage. Most men would apologize and remove themselves!”
“I see the façade of timidity is well and truly shredded,” he hissed. “What else have you been pretending at?”
They had inched closer as they spoke and now were mere feet apart. She was glaring up at him, but her anger made her seem his equal in height. He felt desire rising in him at the challenge she posed. There was a certain allure to him in a woman who was innocent, demure, and timid. But a far greater allure in being challenged, met ferocity for ferocity.
“I… I pretend nothing,” she replied, casting her eyes down as though suddenly reminded of her own previous deference, “I am merely standing up for myself. I learned not to do that at Haventon. The punishment was too severe.”
Gideon clawed his way back from the precipice of a lustful fall into the abyss of desire. He breathed deeply, turned away, and pretended an interest in a porcelain figure upon the mantle.
“I…” he cleared his throat, “I was shocked at how your Uncle treated you. I am even more so now that I understand the depths of his wickedness.”
“Not just Uncle Benjamin. Aunt Nora too. And their oh-so-infallible son,Horatio.”
Gideon turned back, his composure schooled at last. Catherine had seated herself on an ornate chaise, hands wringing on her lap as she stared down at them. Anguish twisted her face.
“You are free of them now, Catherine,” he said, softly, “they cannot reach you while you are my wife.”
“But once I am no longer your wife?” She managed a tentative smile.
He viewed it as an invitation to discuss the status of their marriage. The convenience of it. He refused to be drawn.
The breach is large enough already. I must repair my walls. Today, she almost broke through. That must not happen.
“I cannot change that. Perhaps in the time we have, you can devise some means of protecting yourself from them. Or perhaps by the time we are done, they will have forgotten about you.”
She ducked her head. “If you say so.”
He snapped his mouth closed on a reply.
I will not be drawn. She must be trying to manipulate me. It will not work.
“We are invited to dinner with the Threnthorpes the day after tomorrow,” he announced, formally. “I would ask that you behave as you have done today. As an upright and loyal wife.”
Catherine rose gracefully, lifting her chin and running her hands down the outside of her skirts.
“Of course, Your Grace. I will play my part. Would you allow me a few minutes to compose myself before we rejoin the company?”
Gideon bowed his acquiescence and left the room. He felt a reluctance to leave her and a sense of loss at her suddenly formal attitude. He berated himself for it.
Pure foolishness. You have what you want: a wife who will play the role of a genuine spouse for your needs, but allow you to release her when the time comes.
Some quiet part in him longed for more, but he suppressed the feeling with cold ruthlessness. Catherinewasnot andcould never behis lover.
CHAPTER 8
“Your Grace, Lady Isabella Merrick of Blackmere is here to see you,” Mr. McKay announced.
