His name wasa blur through the tears.
How could a father have so much power as to force Julian to marry where he did not wish?
Was Julian simply making an excuse to be free of her? Did he think to invent a situation to keep from hurting her instead of simply writing that they don’t suit?
It no longer mattered. Julian had made his choice and Cait put away her foolish dreams and hopes and one day, she might be able to think of him fondly. Today she could not. It hurt too much.
Julian sippedhis brandy and glanced out the window of his chamber. He had married today. It was not a joyous event and there certainly had not been a celebration. The only person happy was his father. Julian mildly wondered if his father would remain jovial if Miss Hooper delivered a daughter.
He shook his head. She was no longer Miss Hooper. She was Imogene Ashford, Viscountess Rivers. His wife!
At least she was pleasant enough to be around. Not only that, but she was also quiet, downright timid, and easily went along with whatever anyone suggested. He supposed it could be worse and she could have been a shrew of a woman. It was just a shame that they had absolutely nothing in common. He’d barely been able to kiss her at the end of the vows.
At the scratch on his door, he called for them to enter, expecting it to be his valet. A servant that his father insisted on hiring now that Julian was a viscount and would be settling down and remaining at Ashford Place.
He had thought of moving to Blackridge Place, but it was Grayson who had been taught the details of his future inheritance. Now Julian needed to learn.
“I need nothing further tonight, Harold,” he said after the door opened.
“I am not Harold.”
Julian turned as his wife of twelve hours stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
Her dark hair fell about her shoulders, and she wore a nightrail made of such a thin material that he could nearly see through it. Why was she here?
“Is there something you need Imogene?”
“I have waited for you to come to me.”
He had told her that theirs would be a marriage in name only. Certainly, she understood what that meant.
“I had no intention of doing so.”
She smiled and glanced down. “We should at least consummate the marriage.”
“It is not necessary. You are with child therefore when it is born, everyone will believe that I have done my duty.”
“But we must.”
Julian took a step back. That was the strongest her voice had ever been when speaking to him.
“There is no need.”
She lifted her chin and straightened her spine so that her breasts pressed against the light material. “I want you.”
“Ours is not to be a marriage involving intimacy.”
She took a step toward him “Do you not want me?”
How did he answer that question without insulting her? Even though she was standing before him and he could nearly see her body, no desire stirred. “I am sorry Imogene. I do not.”
She continued walking toward him until they stood nearly toe to toe and she reached up and pulled his head down and kissed him. Julian felt nothing.
She then pressed herself against his body and slid her hands down and grasped his bum and pressed herself against him.
Not even the hint of desire stirred.
Julian disengaged himself and took a step back.
