Page 128 of The Betrothal

Desire had shuttered behind a cold rage, his fingers remained on my skin, his face expectant.

A rap on the doors was all the notice we had before they opened and someone bustled in.

“Good news,” the doctor announced as Teddy and I stood, staring at each other. “All tests came back clear.”

Teddy’s features flared with emotion then cooled.

“How are we getting on with the medication? We ought to finalise any prescriptions now to get you through the next few weeks. I am assuming you will honeymoon away from the city so I will be unable to physically review your progress, Ms Fairchild.”

Stop calling me Fairchild. I bristled and Teddy glared at me in challenge.

The doctor had stopped bustling behind us, although neither of us had acknowledged him, let alone looked at him.

“So,” he pushed. “The medication?”

“She feels much improved, Doctor,” Teddy replied, his breath whispered across my lips as he spoke. “She still struggles though.”

I felt my eyes widen at his comment, his daring me to argue.

“Okay, well, I wouldn’t recommend over-medicating at this point,” the doctor began. Teddy swung his glare the man’s way and his next words were cautious. “I can leave you another prescription, but I really wouldn’t prescribe any more than two, maybe three per day for the first few weeks. One is the normal dosage but given your situation.” He gulped. “No more than three. Especially with the quick-acting top-ups prescribed. I wouldn’t allow both if you go so high.”

“Three,” Teddy whispered, returning his attention to me.

I flinched. Two had me dizzy, the room spinning.

The doctor began fumbling behind me, the telltale sounds of bottled pills being prepared and placed onto the surface.

“I’ll arrange a follow-up in three weeks, Mr Fairchild, after the honeymoon, but of course, I am available when you need me.” The sound of the door closing as he withdrew from the room left us back in a loaded silence.

“Teddy,” I began but he shushed me.

“This would all be a lot more pleasant, Isabelle, if you were to choose your battles more wisely.” His finger glided over my nipple within the confines of the corsetry. “You’re overly emotional, and you’re making rash decisions lately.” He blinked slowly at me waiting for me to agree.

I nodded, my stomach heavy with dread.

“For now, we need to keep you calm.” His finger moved across my sensitive skin with the word. “So you can make more suitable life choices.”

He waited for the words to hit home.

“You will not be allowed to embarrass your family, nor mine, anymore. Let alone ours, Izzy.”

The threat landed. Cooperation was a choice, or medically supplemented.

I rolled my lips together; his words had my stomach turning over.

“Are you going to cooperate, Isabelle?” he asked, his free hand snaking around my waist to tug me closer.

I nodded.

“Use your words,” he growled.

“Yes, Teddy.”

He smiled sharply at his victory, his lips finding mine once again, and this time, I kissed him back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

ISABELLE