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She nodded. “I am happy to raise Iris as my own. I am quite fond of her already.”

“Good. Second, no one can go to the west tower. Not you, not Iris, not anyone in this castle except for me. I’ll not explain further than that.”

What could possibly be up there that would have to be hidden from everyone?

I do not have the strength to press. Not now.

“And the third?”

“You’ll not ask me about my past.” His voice was flat, closing the subject before it had opened. “Whatever you’ve heard about me in London—and I expect you’ve heard a great deal—I’ll not discuss it. Not now, and likely not ever.”

Three rules. The first was simple enough, the second obscure, and the third even more obscure. How was she to build a life with a man with so many secrets?

Laura considered this all, turning each rule over in her mind. She lifted a hand to her chin and rubbed it.

“Is that all?” she asked, her tone a bit cheeky. “There is no fourth or fifth rule?”

Nathaniel rolled his shoulders back. “This is no laughing matter.”

“I’m only teasing you to see if you can hear what you are saying. I hate to be so forward, but you have all but bought me, and now we are married. I am concerned that you are unwilling to share these things with me. Do you have something to hide, Your Grace?”

“I have nothing to hide, and my actions will speak of my character,” he said. “You will get to know me in time.”

“Fine, then,” she relented, still terribly conflicted but lacking the strength to push further. “Anything else I should be made aware of?”

“That’s all for now.” He held her gaze a moment longer. “And I’m assuming you understand what else is expected of a duchess without my needing to spell it out every time. I trust you’re capable enough not to require instruction in it. Am I correct in that?”

“Yes, you are.” She nodded, her mind already racing ahead of his meaning. The words settled into her stomach like stones.

What else is expected of a duchess…

She thought of her mother, of the insidious fever that had taken her within a week of her birth, of every quiet dread she’d carried through four Seasons of turning suitors away rather than risk what her body might owe a husband once she’d given it.

She didn't ask him to clarify; she couldn’t. She only nodded, her throat tight.

What of my rules? Not that I have any, but again, more orders and plans laid out for me without my input.

“Are there any rules you’d like to add?” he asked.

The question shocked her to her core. It had been so long since someone had considered her feelings.

She took a moment to collect her thoughts. Then she spoke. “I do not have rules I would like to set, but I do have some thoughts.”

“Yes?”

“I want you to play an active role in raising Iris. For us all to be a family.”

“Of course,” he agreed, his eyes serious. “She is my niece, and you are my wife. That is exactly the shape I would like this all to take. We are in agreement there.”

“Good,” she said, feeling a bit lighter.

“And what do you want, Laura?” he probed, taking a small step toward her.

She bristled at the pointedness of the question.

“I haven’t been asked that in a long time, if ever. I need time to give my answer,” she replied firmly.

“When you have an answer,” he said, taking another step closer, “I would very much like to hear it.”