“I am fine,” she said, not moving.
Sebastian could not help but chuckle. He and Helena did not get along, but there was something about her rebellious nature, how damn stubborn and strong-willed she was, that he enjoyed immensely.
Having dealt with peers and their daughters his entire life, it was no exaggeration to say that his wife was unlike anyone he’d ever met.
“As you say.” He straightened up and dropped the smile. “It has just been brought to my attention that we will have a visitor tomorrow. A close friend of mine, Lord Ashford. He is on his way home from a trip and wishes to stop by and pay his respects.”
“And?” she prompted.
“And…” Sebastian felt the urge to rise to the bait. A sarcastic comment, perhaps? But he suppressed that urge. “He will only be here for an hour or two, I suspect. So nothing too intrusive. I will have lunch served, and I expect you to join us.”
“Is that all?”
Oh yes, she was doing everything in her power to stay true to what she told him. That this marriage was one of convenienceonly, and when the convenience was no longer needed, she and he would be little more than strangers. No sense trying to make this marriage more than it needed to be.
But that was dangerous to do. There was tension between them, a powder keg just waiting to explode. This marriage would never turn into something more, but that didn’t mean it had to be so hostile. Surely, a middle ground could be reached?
I need this marriage to be believed, and I cannot risk the truth getting out. Even if that means swallowing my pride and…
Sebastian grimaced to himself.
And apologizing.
“No,” he said with an exaggerated sigh. “That is not all. I have been doing some thinking these past two days, and I’ve concluded that you and I need to talk.”
She scoffed. “We do not. I told you already the reason, and I do not see why it needs to be elaborated on. I will not embarrass you with your friend,” she added. “I will not do or say anything that might jeopardize this lie we find ourselves in. I assure you, there is no need to worry.”
“Are you certain about that?”
“May I go?” She half-turned to leave.
“And if I wish to apologize?” Sebastian said, doing what he could to look earnest. No smirk. No humor. Pure honesty for a damn change. “Then might we talk?”
“Apologize?” Helena hesitated, her brow furrowed, distrust flashing in her eyes because, as things stood, she had every reason to assume he was lying. “Apologize for what?”
“A great many things, I am sure.” He let out a deep sigh. “But in this instance, the way I have been treating you might be a good place to start.”
She was still looking at him as if she thought he was lying. “I do not understand. Treating me how? So far, you have done exactly as you said. Why apologize for it?”
“I think we both know that is not true,” he countered. “Look…”
He exhaled and rose from his seat. Helena stiffened and leaned away, again as if she meant to turn around and run.
“This marriage was as unexpected for me as it was for you. And in the face of that confusion, I admit that I acted a little…” He clicked his tongue as he tried to find the right word.
“Arrogant,” she offered. “Smug. Pigheaded and?—”
“Yes, yes,” he cut her off. “I behaved like a boar. I got into my head that the only thing that mattered was how the ton perceived us, failing to consider that what happened withinthese walls was just as important and consequential as what happens outside of them.” He breathed out and again made sure his expression was earnest. “I was wrong, and I am only just starting to realize this.”
He could see her warring with herself. That urge to dismiss his apology as some sort of trick and her desire to believe it.
“What are you…” She gave her head a shake as if to clear it. “What are you saying?”
“I am saying that in the way I have treated you, I have muddled things. I treated you as little more than a prop, and that was wrong to do. I am not suggesting that you and I…” He chuckled because he could not help himself. “We are not going to fall in love. We are not going to become star-crossed lovers worthy of one of your stories. But for this to work, I dare say that we should start treating one another as human beings.”
“Are you capable of that?” she asked sharply.
“I am,” he replied simply, not rising to the bait. “Are you?”
