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Isabella could see it happening in real time. The side of his mouth twitching. The anger boiling. The desire he must have felt to reprimand her for being so rude and abrasive. For notbehavingas she had promised.

“I suppose that means you will be needing a new dress,” Duncan said suddenly. “Which is perfect timing, because I was looking for an excuse to buy you one.”

Her face dropped. “Excuse me?”

“I can always change my plans,” he shrugged as he seemed to relax. “They were not written in stone. The Mayfield Ball, is it? Should be a wonderful time.”

Isabella’s stomach dropped and disappointment swept over her. Not to mention surprise! She studied her husband closely, desperate to see what the heck was going on with him. And what she could do about it. But he smiled with what appeared genuine affection and despite her burning desire to start an argument, Isabella’s resolve wavered.

If he wanted to be nice to her for a damn change, then so be it. Isabella wouldn’t be the one the break this attempted rebranding. She knew Duncan well enough to know that it could not last and most likely, before the day was even out, they would devolve back to their usual state of play.

Isabella still had no idea what that would mean exactly. But the image of her naked husband and the look he had held in his eyes as he resisted the urge to punish her was enough to make her want to find out.

I just need to be patient. A day at most, surely...

The week that followed was as long as it was confusing as it was disappointing.

Duncan was as determined to be as congenial and companionable as he could be, showering Isabella with compliments every time he saw her, buying her gifts such as flowers and chocolates daily for no other reason that he wantedto please her. Being affectionate with his words and actions in a way that should have been enchanting but came across as false.

And Isabella, not wanting to insult a man who had literally just swept into the room with a box of chocolates for her – specially bought in London – had no choice but to go along with it.

“How is the food?” he asked one evening as they ate together.

The dish was a seafood bouillabaisse, a surprise to sabella when it had been served in front of her, as she recognized the meal immediately. And could not believe that Duncan had requested it.

“It is lovely, thank you,” she said plainly, her mind working to find a way to insult it. But she could not! And for a very specific reason.

“I suspected you might like it,” he said with a charming smile. “I asked your mother what your favorite dish was, and had my chefs prepare it especially for you. Is it up to your liking.”

“It is, thank you.”

“Wonderful.”

“Although...” Isabella was desperate. “It is not quite the same as the one served at home.”

“Oh...?” His head tilted, his lips tightened.

"The fish...” She grimaced. “Do you know what type it is?”

“Ah... no, I did not --”

“It is almost certainly the wrong type of fish. And it sweeter than I remember. Certainly not the same."

She could see it happening. His temper fraying. His anger piquing. That desire to tell her to stop behaving like a child and be damn grateful, rearing its ugly head...

Isabella braced for it. Excitement building. Legs shaking and pulse rising and mind going back to that night in the washroom, her naked husband grabbing her and lifting her and --

“I will speak to the chef” Duncan said with a shrug and a deep sigh. “And your mother’s chef while I am at it. See if we can’t do better the next time.”

She pushed her lips together, annoyed. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Nothing was working! Nothing she said or did seemed to bring him to anger!

The only reason that Isabella could come up with for why he was behaving this was, was because he did not want to take her tobed. Was it possible that he had given her the choice, knowing that she would deny him?

Only then she remembered his effort at self-control. How obvious it was that he wanted her and that he was for some reason doing everything in his power to stop himself.

It was all very confusing. Isabella the unsure. Duncan the controlled. She still did not know what she wanted from the marriage. But what she did know was that if she was to be stuck like this, the last thing she wanted was boredom.