“I believe married couples do these sorts of things,” he supplied.
She perched a hip on the edge of the desk and crossed both arms over her chest. “That’s just it. We needn’t pretend we’re a regular married couple. Have you made your decision? About the divorce, I mean?”
Had he made his decision? Of course, he’d made his decision. There wouldn’t be a divorce if he had any say in it, but he’d spent the last several days coming up with an intricate plan. One he hoped she couldn’t refuse. He had only to present it to her.
“I have,” he said with a solid nod.“And I’m happy to explain it to you while we ride in the park.”
Gemma narrowedher eyes to slits. What in the world was he up to? Before he’d arrived, she’d been in his study for the better part of twenty minutes, and she hadn’t found anything about a divorce. If he had hired a solicitor to thwart her plans, there was no sign of it. But what if he’d anticipated that she would go snooping through his study? Perhaps she’d have to look in his bedchamber or even his wardrobe for such documents.
It hadn’t been a full sennight, but she’d asked him if he’d come to a decision to get the focus off herself and her nosing about his study. He’d surprised her by saying that hehadcome to a decision. Then he’d surprised her even more by asking her to go riding in the park to discuss it. She supposed she could demand an answer here and now, but she did like the park. Very well. If it meant he’d continue to act pleasant, she would go with him. She had to admit that over the last several days, his attentiveness had been far preferable to his previous surly orders. But her deep suspicion made her question everything he did and said. She would go riding in the park, but she wouldnottrust him.
“Very well,” she said. “Let’s go.”
O
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
One Hour Later, Hyde Park
Gemma tilted back her head, closed her eyes, and clutched the crown of her bright-yellow bonnet as Grovemont’s well-sprung curricle jostled its way through Hyde Park. She breathed in deeply, taking in the lovely scent of the late summer flowers and grass in the park. It was always so much better here than on the streets in town. And the park was the best of both worlds. The countryside itself was far too remote and dull, but she did love to be outdoors. Even having Grovemont by her side would not dim her happiness this afternoon.
She had to admit he looked good today. But then again, he always looked good. He was wearing simple dark-brown buckskin breeches, black boots, a white shirt, and a sapphire waistcoat and overcoat. His white cravat stood in stark relief to the tan he’d acquired in India, and his hooded blue eyes and sharp jawline were as captivating as ever. Why did the man have to look like the devil had carved him out of stone to tempt ladies everywhere? It was truly unfair. And just another reason whyhe couldn’t possibly believe she hadn’t tried to trap him into marriage. A man as handsome as Grovemont had probably been born with women fighting over him. But she was only too willing to toss him back into the pond. Another woman was welcome to catch him.
She may have agreed to this outing, but she had no intention of speaking to him. At least not the silly little pleasantries they’d exchanged over the last week. It had all been so obviously false. She refused to pretend as if they were happy. He might want to act as if they were something they were not, but she had no interest in it. Instead, she settled into her seat and watched as chipmunks chased each other through the meadow. He would have to speak first.
They’d trotted about for the better part of an hour before Grovemont pulled the curricle onto a dirt road near the Serpentine. Hmm. This seemedtooprivate. She watched him from the corner of her eye. He appeared to be entirely nonplussed, shaking out the reins and issuing commands to the finely matched pair of horses pulling the conveyance. She’d had to grudgingly admit the man was an excellent driver. A rubbish husband, but good with horses. Too bad for him she wasn’t a horse.
When they reached the water’s edge, he stopped the curricle and leaped to the grass. Oh, dear. Was this it? Did he want to talk now? Fine. But she refused to speak of anything other than when they’d get their divorce.
He bounded around the side of the curricle and offered her his hand.
“I’m fine. I don’t need your help,” she said as she gathered her sunny skirts and jumped to the grass.
Grovemont stepped back and shook his head. “I can see that.”
“Not the way you think a duchess should behave?” she sniped. Ugh. She’d let him goad her into saying something ill-mannered. She needed to remain completely unaffected by him. Indifference!
“Behave however you like,” was his even reply.
Gemma merely side-eyed him again. Of course, he didn’t mean that.
They walked slowly together toward a large chestnut tree and once under its shady branches, Gemma turned sharply to her husband. “Why did you bring me here?” She couldn’t help herself. She could no longer stand the suspense.
He chuckled. “Not enjoying the park?”
“Oh, I’m enjoying the park. It’s the company I find lacking.” Oh, drat. She couldnotstop.
“Ouch.” He put a hand over his heart.
Gemma turned away from him so he couldn’t see the frustration on her face. Why couldn’t she seem to control herself around this man? She took a deep breath and shook her head, ready to try again to be civil. She turned back to him, hoping her face was a composed mask of indifference. “You could save us both a lot of time by just coming out with what you’re up to.”
One of his dark-blond brows shot up. “What I’m up to?”
She lifted her chin. She would not allow him to make her doubt her sanity. “I think we both know you haven’t suddenly begun enjoying rides in the park with me.”
“You’re suspicious of my motives.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. And a correct one at that.
She blinked at him. “Why shouldn’t I be?”
