“Promise me.” Her eyes widened at his tone, but he was beyond seeing reason. Fear still held him in its ugly talons.
“I will not promise you because you are being unreasonable.”
“Unreasonable!” Patrick roared. “For Christ’s sake, you have a bullet hole in your arm, woman.”
“Do not curse at me!”
“I would not have to if you weren’t so bloody foolish! And you curse like a sailor, woman!”
“I’m in my own house, Patrick. Surely I am safe here.” Sophie’s voice had risen to meet his now.
For some reason, hearing her say she should be safe in her own house enraged Patrick further, because she should be.
“You are safe when I tell you so and not before, and you will do as I damn well say! Is that understood?”
Her chin lifted.
He stepped forward until his nose was almost pressed to hers. “I would think, given your previous life, you would understand how to follow orders, madam.”
Had he slapped her the effect would have been the same. Sophie stepped back and away from him.
He reached for her.
“Please do not touch me, my lord. I completely understand.” Her words were so cold, it was amazing he didn’t turn to ice.
“Let me explain,” Patrick said.
She walked away from him, head high, and marching up the stairs, she disappeared before he could say another word.
Closing his eyes, Patrick squeezed the bridge of his nose hard. When had he ever spoken without thought or spoken in anger? And to do so to his wife, the woman he cared about, was inexcusable.
Love, he realized, was making a fool of him.
CHAPTER 41
“That is three sighs in just three minutes, Sophie,” Amelia said from across the carriage.
“Is there a limit on sighing?” Sophie asked.
“Of course!”
Today there was to be a fete in the local village. It was a long-standing tradition, and one all members of Garland Hall attended. Patrick had told them last night during their evening meal that it was important the locals met Sophie.
No one else seemed to notice the frosty atmosphere between Lord and Lady Coulter, even if they had barely spoken a word to each other all evening.
“It has been so long since I went to a fete,” Amelia said. “I hope they have fudge.”
Looking out the window, Sophie saw the armed man on horseback riding beside her window and knew two more, one of which was Robbie, were on the driver’s seat.
She had gone to her own bed last night after they had all retired for the evening. Patrick had been playing pool with Stephen, so she’d decided, considering the tension between them, that her bed was better. She’d woken to him picking her up and carrying her back to his bed.
No words were spoken, and she fell asleep again with his heavy arm around her waist. In the morning, he’d been gone.
She understood his words had come from fear. Understood and accepted he was worried Jack Spode would get to her, but his words had hurt, and she’d reacted.
“Four!” Amelia said.
“Sorry, it is just so nice to be out in the sunshine. I wish Timmy and Letty could be here. They would love this.”
