Page 49

“No, no.” Aurelia waved a finger at her. “Do not think that because we are alone I am going to let you off. It did not escape my notice that you answered next to none of mother’s questions just now and where she might be happy to carry on as if the world is turning and the sun is shining, I am not so easy to dodge.”

Caroline pushed her lips together. “I really would rather not talk about it.”

“And I would rather have a mother who does not treat me as if she did not give birth to me but rather that I appeared on the doorstep one night by mistake. So, come now...” Aurelia folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Caroline. “How is it? Tell me everything.”

Aurelia and Caroline had always been the closest of the six children, and if there was anybody in whom Caroline could confide, it was her. In this instance, however, Caroline wasn’t so certain that she wanted to. Part shame. Part embarrassment. While knowing too that her situation was beyond her sister’s understanding—and even if she wanted to divulge, she had no idea where she would even begin!

It had been a constant battle raging inside of Caroline these past few days. One she wasn’t so sure she was winning. Or if she could win. Or what victory might even look like!

Still, she clung to the foolish notion that it was wrong to desire her husband the way she knew that she did. She felt dirty when she considered it. She felt morally abhorrent. She felt as if she was doing and wanting something that was wrong! And she knew not how to get past these feelings.

But she supposed that was the entire point of the deal that she had made with Anthony. Wasn’t it? To develop a relationship before they slept together. Even if it wasn’t nearly that simple. Anthony wanted an heir. She wanted companionship. Somehow, they had found a middle ground where they might both get what they wanted. Assuming nothing went wrong in the meantime.

It was all very confusing for her. Mostly because the more time she spent with Anthony, the more she enjoyed his company. And because of this, she was beginning to consider the very real possibility that this marriage might be more than one of mere convenience—everything Anthony had done so far suggested it could be. And because of this, she had even begun to wonder if she would be able to last through Anthony’s ‘five chances’ before giving in to her urges and letting him have her completely.

“It is fine,” she said simply, an answer which she saw immediately was not to her sister’s liking. “It has only been two days! Far too soon to have formed an opinion.”

Aurelia blew through her lips. “I would have thought an hour with the man would have told you everything you needed to know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, come now...” Aurelia raised an eyebrow. “The Cruel Duke. That name did not materialize out of thin air. He has it for good reason, and I would have thought that by now you would have experienced firsthand what that reason is.”

“Oh...” Caroline blinked in surprise. “I... no. That isn’t at all what has happened.”

“Do not get me wrong,” Aurelia hurried. “It is not as if I want you to suffer, and I am glad that so far you have not. But... well...” Her expression turned worried. “You’re my sister, Caroline and I fear for you.”

“There is no reason for such a thing.”

“Is there not?” she pressed. “I wish to believe you, but then why the moniker? Why does everyone turn pale when his name is mentioned? And why are you the only one who doesn’t look as if they might wet themselves when they are around him!”

Aurelia had every right to be concerned about Caroline’s safety. Indeed, if the situation was reversed, Caroline would feel the same way. Based on what people said of Anthony, he was a terror unlike any other and no woman would count herself lucky to find themselves trapped in a marriage with him.How wrong they all are.

He wasn’t at all what people said. Yes, he was a little emotionally distant. And perhaps his temper could be a little short at times. But these last two days, Caroline had seen a new side to him, one that she was very much growing to like. She had seen a kindness in him. A caring heart. Dammit, he was the first person she had ever met who asked her questions about herself—who noticed her where others had not.

That did of course raise the question. Why the moniker at all? It must have come from somewhere. It wasn’t a fabrication borne from nothing. Was there more to Anthony than she had seen? Or was the Anthony she knew all a façade?

She needed to find out.And I will, even if it breaks apart this marriage and what it has slowly started to transform into.Whatever the cost, Caroline needed to know the truth. Thus, she determined that whatever it was that Anthony had planned for them this evening, she would broach the topic, and then deal with the consequences. Whatever they may be.

However, when she did return, it was just in time to see a pianoforte being delivered, as promised to her the previous evening. This had her smiling as she remembered the promise made, now given, and how kind he had been to grant her such a thing.He is so much kinder than people say. But then why the name? Why the rumors? Who is my husband truly?

It was time she found out.

ChapterSeventeen

“Ithink you have been lying to me,” Anthony said as Caroline moved her pawn to take his knight. She had been surprised that he hadn’t noticed her obvious trap but wasn’t about to look at a gift horse in the mouth.

“Me?” she said innocently. “Never.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “When I asked if you have played chess before, I distinctly remember you saying that you were not very good.”

“Correction,” she fired back. “I said that I had not played in a long time. How you chose to interpret that comment is your own failing, not mine.”

“You implied?—”

“I implied nothing,” she cut him off, unable to hide her smirk because she was enjoying how undone he was becoming in the face of her superior skills. “You simply assumed that I would be no good, and you chose to read into my comment to confirm this fact. That I am beating you, well…” She shrugged. “Perhaps I am not so good, but you are just that terrible.”

“Careful, Caroline,” Anthony said, pretending to scowl at her. “It is not such a smart thing to insult me.”