Chapter Five #4
“Of course you aren’t a prisoner. You are my honored guest, a cherished fiancée.
As for the why. Well, perhaps I’ll tell you that in time.
” When she wasn’t so well-armed in a room full of potential artillery.
“In fact, I’ll tell you everything, every piece and facet of myself, in time too.
At least then someone can tell the stories after I’m gone. ”
“Argh!” After picking up a small statuette of a shepardess, she threw it at him. This time, her aim was perfect. It grazed his shoulder only to shatter against the wall behind him. “Why would you say that? Are you planning to leave me? London? Life?”
Clever girl. “Yes, to all. Eventually.”
That brought up her short. Confusion etched over her face. “What?”
Ah, at least she was hooked. “If you’re curious, then you’ll stay. If you wish to help me in any sort of way, you’ll stay. If you want to experience mind-shattering intercourse and carnal play, you’ll stay. In all of it, it is very much your choice.”
“To a point.” A frown tugged the corners of her lips downward. “Why do I have a feeling you’ll force me into this, regardless?”
There was that. He made certain he affected an air of nonchalance.
“I do require control in most things, and if you’re curious about that, then you’ll stay, because being forced and playing the most delicious games is a good way to pass the time.
And I refuse to have it said that I failed to satisfy my own wife. Injuries be damned.”
For the space of several heartbeats, they stared each other down.
When it became obvious she would hold out on him, he sighed.
“I meant what I said, Evangeline. I don’t want rescued or fixed.
I am broken, yes, but that is who I am, and I have long ago made peace with that.
” Yet why did he continue to keep people at arm’s length?
Shoving the thought away, he found her gaze.
“Are you strong enough to withstand the coming storm?”
“Is that what you think you are?”
“At times.”
She relaxed her posture. “Even storms blow themselves out and usher in pastoral calm.”
“That remains to be seen.” Though he admired how her mind worked, he couldn’t let her burrow beneath his skin.
“I’ll make you a wealthy widow with properties and a fortune if I should die prematurely.
It’s freedom for you, security for you without needing to rely on a man ever again if you don’t wish it. ”
A line appeared on her brow between her eyebrows as concern reflected in her eyes. “Why would you die? Are you ill?”
That was debatable. “It has always been a possibility when one’s history is as long as mine. When one is as… disfigured as I am.”
“Gammon. Your looks, good or bad have nothing to do with this.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “This is a game to you, isn’t it?”
“Perhaps it was at the beginning of our evening together, and though at times it’s easier to wrap one’s head around horrid, somber things with thinking like that, I’m growing weary of games. I simply desire a specific outcome and closure to something in my past.”
“Tell me.”
“Not tonight. It has already been quite draining.” Hell, he wasn’t too proud to admit he wasn’t a young man any longer, and he was properly exhausted after putting her through her paces.
For long moments, she regarded him with a slightly tilted head. Then she narrowed her eyes. “Fine, but our union will be a marriage of convenience. And I want to see the documents you’ll draw up guaranteeing my settlement and property choice.”
A grin pulled at one corner of his mouth. Yes, she was clever, and would do him proud as his duchess. “Of course.”
“And if we come together physically again—”
“When,” he couldn’t help but interrupt.
“What?”
“When we couple again, because we will. Don’t deny you want it after what we’ve done tonight.”
“Oh.” An intense pink blush stained her cheeks. “If we come together physically again, I’ll decide that and initiate said action. Do you understand?”
“Fair enough.” He nodded. “Is that all?”
She shook her head. “At least let me go home. I’ll need to explain what is happening with my staff, supervise what I wish to bring here with me. Besides, my husband’s brother will move into the townhouse soon, so I suppose this marriage comes at an opportune time.”
Interesting. He liked that she was practical as well. “Can I trust you not to run?”
With a snort, she shrugged. “Can you afford not to? I feel you need me for something beyond my ken, that I’m important in your game for some reason, so you tell me.” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, and he stifled a groan.
Damn, she was sharp. Bemused, Michael nodded again. “Very well, but your arse needs to be back here in two days for our nuptial ceremony.”
One of her blonde eyebrows rose in challenge. “Or else what?”
“You don’t wish to know. Please show yourself out.
I’ll tell my butler to have the carriage brought ‘round for you.” Then he left the room after retrieving his cane.
The muscles on the right side of his body screamed their displeasure so much he might need a dose of laudanum in order to sleep.
As he walked down the corridor, he caught her utterance of frustration that was followed by a crash.
No doubt she’d thrown yet another collectible.
Perhaps I am a fucking monster after all.