“Where have you been?” he demanded when she looked up. “I was waiting for you. Do you know what time it is?”
“Yes, I know what time it is. I can read a clock,” she replied, struggling to regain her footing. He bent down, grasped her arms, and lifted her effortlessly.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, though his eyes betrayed his evident concern.
“I am fine. As for where I was, that should not concern you. You have told me to do as I please,” she retorted.
“Do as you please?” he echoed incredulously. “I never said that! I said—never mind that. Where were you?”
“If you must know, I went to my mother’s to look through some books,” she replied, bending to pick up the fallen items.
“That is all you have brought?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It does not concern you what I do or what I bring. I will not listen to you claiming them as yours just because you are my husband,” she said firmly.
“You are infuriating, Charity. You shall catch your death, running through the rain like this. And then what?” He sighed, drawing in a sharp breath.
“Why do you care what happens to me anyway? You have my inheritance now; you have your wife. It shouldn't matter to you.”
He inhaled sharply and grabbed her by the shoulders. “You are mine to protect, whether you like it or not, Charity. That is how it is. If you disappear and do not come back until late in the night, soaked to the bone, then yes, I shall worry. I do not care if you wish to hear it; I will protect you.”
She stared at him, and the feelings she had experienced at the ball—just before he kissed her—resurfaced. A strange mix of anticipation, longing, and dread washed over her. Was he going to kiss her again? Did she want him to?
No, she should not want him to! He was infuriating. He had just yelled at her and commanded her again, just as she had told him not to do. And yet, despite her resolve, she couldn't help but want him to kiss her.
“Perhaps I should…” she began, but he cut her off.
“Charity, go to your chamber and change into something dry before you catch your death.”
“No, I will not,” she retorted.
“Go before I do something that we will both regret.”
She wanted to ask him what he meant by that. What would he do that would make them both feel regret? Was it a kiss? Something else? Was he finally ready to share the secrets he had been keeping? Whatever it was, she realized she was not going to find out tonight, perhaps never. Filled with unfulfilled desires and more confusion than ever, she retreated to her chamber, fighting against the feelings for the husband she could not help but secretly desire.
CHAPTER31
Charity
Charity rushed up to her chamber and closed the door firmly behind her.
How dare he? Howdarehe speak to her in such a manner? She would not tolerate it. The man was a brute. She had been correct from the start. She had allowed his supposed concern for his tenants and the villagers and his attentions to children and to animals — to deceive her.
She had wished to believe he was more than a brute, more than a man so lost to himself that he could not determine what manner of gentleman he truly was. But she had been mistaken. He was cold and calculating. He might possess wealth and influence, but he lacked kindness. He did not possess a generous heart.
If she were made to endure his declaration that it was his duty to protect heronce more, she might very well fall ill on the spot.
No — it wasquiteenough.
A knock sounded on the door, and she looked up, her eyes wide. A moment later, Jean stepped inside.
“There you are, Your Grace. I had begun to worry.”
“There was no need,” Charity replied. “I was at my mother’s townhouse. In any case, I should like to change quickly. Do not trouble yourself about my hair — I shall tend to it myself. I will take my bath in the morning, so you need not concern yourself with that either.”
“Very good, Your Grace. But if I may say — though you were at your mother’s, I was worried. It was awfully late. And I was not the only one.” She glanced at her sideways, and Charity narrowed her eyes.
“Truly, there was no cause for concern. You and Mrs. Frames need not have worried at all.”
