And in doing so, reveal his true self to her.
“No purple,” he said finally.
She blinked. “What?”
“No purple,” he repeated. “I never was a fan of the color.” And then, he turned to leave.
She stood in a state of stunned silence, unable to believe what had just happened. It was good news—no! It wasbadnews. It was…
She did not know! Did she want him to stop her, proving what she suspected? Or did she want him to be as she needed, so that she could be free to follow her feelings as she thought she should? Even if every instinct inside her was screaming against it.
“Wait!” she cried out, hurrying after him.
He was down the hall, but he turned to her. “Yes?” he asked innocently, despite how frazzled she likely looked.
“Where are you going?”
“To the city.”
“Why?” she demanded. “What are you doing in there?”
The coy smile returned. “I do not think so, Helena.”
“What does that?—”
“You wish for certain freedoms, and that is fine. I will not try to stop you. But just as you expect them from me, I expect them from you.” He winked, apparently delighted by her confusion. “I will be home late this evening. Don’t wait up.”
And then he turned and started down the hall once more.
Helena found herself gaping in utter shock, total confusion, and what felt suspiciously like heartache.
So it was confirmed then. Sebastian was a man of his word and would not try to control her. Would the same be said if this marriage turned real?
Helena supposed it did not matter. As she now saw it, as she was forced to admit, her husband felt nothing for her. He had made that perfectly clear.
She wanted to feel relief, able to put aside her pesky feelings once and for all, as she knew was right. But deep down, the realization of this truth hurt, and already she was coming up with a new plan.
She had proven now that he would not try to control her, but did he truly feel nothing for her?
It was a ridiculous notion. Helena knew how dangerous this game was. But before she could decide once and for all how shefelt about her husband, she needed to know how he felt about her.
And so it was that another plan was conceived…
CHAPTER 16
It took two more days before Helena was able to do as she planned. Frustrating, she thought, because in this instance, fate was not hers to control. So used to doing what she wished when she wished it, having to rely on the actions of another was alien to her. Yet another strike against married life.
But tonight was the night, and she readied herself in ways she never thought she would need or want to.
She spent the afternoon preparing. It started with a long bath, scrubbed clean from head to toes with help. Scented water, so that she would smell sweet and alluring, her hair washed and curled as if she were preparing to go to a ball.
Next, a gown was chosen, emerald in color, with golden hems and floral prints, tight-fitting but with a flowing skirt. Light make-up was put on her face, and her jewelry was restricted to emerald-encrusted earrings only because she did not wish to overdo it. And it was just as evening came that she was ready.
Her heart thundered in her chest as she walked out of her room and down the hall. She was more nervous than she ought to have been, and still, she could not determine whether this was a good idea or not.
After tonight, it will all be over. Proof that Sebastian thinks little of me. Proof that we do not work together, and everything I have felt has been for show only. It has to be…
Also, she felt excitement, even if she refused to admit it. The slight chance that this might… that this might lead to something more.
