CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Gemma was near the refreshment table with a host of people around her skirts when she spied Grovemont glaring at her. He stood several paces away talking to Lords Harwell and Kitson.
She tried to ignore her husband’s glare, but she couldfeelit on her. What did he think he was about? Stalking back into her life and demanding she go home with him? She wouldn’t go home with him if he begged. Got down on both knees, even.
Besides, what did he have to say to her? He hadn’t had a word to impart in fifteen months, andnowhe wanted to talk? Doubtful. He probably only wanted to take her home to ruin her evening. She was only glad he hadn’t made a scene. If he’d tried to force her to go with him, it wouldnothave ended prettily. That was certain.
Gemma took a sip from her champagne glass and laughed at the jest Lord Harwell had just shared. She wanted her husband to think she was having thebesttime without him. Grovemont would have to think again if he thought she would snap at his slightest command. She’d been naïve, full of guilt and apprehension when they’d first married. Now, she realized she’d been a fool. A far-too-compliant fool, and she had absolutely nointention of allowing her husband to have the upper hand.Ever again.
Over an hour later,she’d just finished dancing with Lord Bidwell when Grovemont appeared at her side. “My lady,” he said, bowing perfectly over her hand. “Will you do me the honor?” He glanced toward the dance floor.
Scores of eyes watched her. The entire ballroom seemed to be holding its breath. Very well. She would not make a scene.Thatwould only make it seem as if she gave a toss, and she decidedly didnot. Besides, indifferent people did not make scenes.
Reluctantly, she put her hand on his arm. His other arm snaked around her back to pull her close as a waltz began to play. She fought the urge to groan.Why did it have to be a waltz?
“Seems you’ve become quite popular since I’ve been gone,” he drawled.
“Seemsyou’restill an ass,” she shot back, blinking at him innocently.
His nostrils flared. “If you cannot smile at me, at least keep your face blank.”
“Oh, yes,mustkeep up appearances.” She rolled her eyes. “Tell me, Grovemont, why are you here?”
“I returned from India this afternoon.”
“No, I mean why are youhere? At this particular ball tonight?”
“I came here looking for you.”
Her brows shot up. “Did you come simply to ruin my evening or do you have something to say to me?”
“I wanted to see you.”
“Ha. I hardly believe that. You haven’t written me since you left. Don’t pretend as if you care if I’m alive or dead.”
“You aremy wife,” he ground out.
“Not for long, I’m not.”
His eyes narrowed sharply. “What isthatsupposed to mean?”
She gave him the most fake-beautiful smile she could muster and lowered her voice to a hostile whisper. “It means I want a divorce, Your Grace. And I intend to get one at any cost.”
O
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Many hours later, Gemma leaned back against the velvet squabs of the coach and sighed. She was on her way home from the Monroes’ ball. Alone. The remainder of the evening had been quite enjoyable, actually. Grovemont had left soon after their waltz had ended, and she couldn’t have been more pleased.
Oh, several of her friends and acquaintances had asked her if she’d missed him or how she felt about his return. She’d answered all of them with vague words that sounded somewhat pleasant. She might want to slap her husband’s arrogant, handsome face, but she had no intention of letting thetonknow that.
Grovemont didn’t realize it, but she had been raised to keep family issues within the family. There was no chance she would tell other people their secrets, but she drew the line at pretending withhim. If he wanted a wife who believed in false pretenses, he had married the wrong lady.
And, of course, hehadmarried the wrong lady. It had been clear from the start. A divorce was the only option, really. She smiled to herself as she remembered how his face had flinched for just one moment when she’d mentioned the word. Hisinfallible confidence had slipped just a notch. Andthathad been a delight to witness.
She’d surprised him. Good. All this time, he’d been in India thinking he was punishing her by staying away and refusing to write. Instead, all it had done was firm her resolve to end their marriage. The ensuing scandal would be awful for both their families, but he would live through it. He had no choice. Besides, a duke in need of a duchess and heir could always come back from a scandal.Shewould be the one to take the brunt of it. No man would want to marry her after she’d been ostensibly tossed over by Grovemont. Which meant she would never have a baby. The pain of that thought throbbed through her. It was the thing that saddened her the most. But baby or no, she was still determined to divorce him. That’s how desperately she wanted out of this marriage.
Her family wouldn’t like it, but they would accept it eventually. They loved her. If she explained to them how awful her husband had been to her, they would agree it was for the best. Eventually. She hoped.
