"Yet the topic of consummating our marriage burdens you."
"It has nothing to do with you. I can assure you of that."
"Then what is it, Victor?" she asked irritably. "You cannot just leave things at that. If you are not put off by my inadequacies, then why would you just leave? I am not asking just because we didn’t consummate the marriage. I am asking for every other reason. Companionship. Friendship. I have a right to know."
He sighed and began to pace, running a hand through his hair.
"Can we not discuss this when I am better prepared for the conversation?"
"There is no better time than the present."
"You are a very stubborn woman," he muttered.
She shrugged, not minding the characterization. He had confused her by saying what he had to her parents even after telling her he had only married her for his inheritance and calling their kiss a mistake so she couldn’t leave thingspeacefully. Her conscience would never permit her a moment's rest if she didn’t seize the opportunity to get answers.
"I thought it was what was best for both of us." He answered.
She hadn’t truly expected him to answer, so when he started, it was almost too hard to hide her surprise. It took everything in her to school her expression so he wouldn’t stop.
"I thought you were trying to throw yourself out of the window when I walked into your chambers and I panicked. I couldn’t have your death on my hands."
"That is why you left?" she asked incredulously. "I would never… I’m sorry you felt that way."
"It was a match you obviously didn’t want, and I could understand that considering the rumors around me," he answered. "You were too scared to look me in the eye on our wedding day and you had been so startled when our hands touched in the carriage. Anyone would have thought the same thing. I mean no one I know sits on the windowsill."
"You do not know that many people," she teased, smiling.
"It matters not," he returned her attempt at playful conversation. "It is a rather odd habit. I find you have a number of dangerous hobbies."
"Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean they are dangerous hobbies."
"I assure you I am not alone in my thoughts on the subject, Alice."
She couldn’t deny that hearing her name on his lips in such a playful tone set weird butterflies fluttering about in her belly. She had once thought her name too feminine for her and not at all fitting, but each time he pronounced it, she found herself liking it a little bit more.
"Oh?" she asked playfully. "Do you discuss my habits with others?"
He looked like she had exposed a secret of his, and she laughed softly at his expression. He almost looked boyish, unlike the serious duke everyone saw him as.
"Not particularly," he answered when he had recovered.
"I only hope you say good things." She smiled.
"I cannot promise that."
"Well." She pouted. "I will just have to correct the narrative when I meet them."
"If you meet them."
"If you say so, Your Grace." She nodded. "I do hope you do not still perceive that I would hurt myself to escape marriage to you?"
She needed to ask the question before the vulnerable air that had settled over them dissipated.
"I do not," he answered. "I now know you will not hurt yourself to escape marriage to me."
She smiled and nodded triumphantly.
"I am glad you have come to know that," she told him.
