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“I wonder,” she snapped.

“You’re being childish.”

“Yet, you’re the one who married a scarred lady to garner sympathy or to prove yourself a hero.”

“Tell me you do not believe that,” he said, his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“How am I supposed to know the truth? You were the one who married me and dumped me in this manor, with no guidance and no friendship. I refuse to be a trophy wife. If you recall,Your Grace, I did state companionship as the reason for this marriage.”

“It is not as it seems, Louisa. I had a ton of correspondence to deal with after the wedding.”

“Conveniently after an argument,” she pointed out hotly.

There was an awkward silence as Percy slowly moved around his desk to face her.

“Do you really think…?” he trailed off, prowling towards her with an intense look on his face, forcing her to take a step back. Then another, then another, then another, until her back hit the door to the study, leaving her with nowhere to run.

He kept stepping forward till he stood so close to her that she could feel the heat radiating from his body—which, incombination with his heady scent and his intense gaze, was slowly turning her into a puddle.

“Do you really believe that I detest you because of something as paltry as a scar?” he asked, the low timbre of his voice a hot caress to her ears, his intense gaze fixed on her lips.

Her body was hot instantly, and she couldn’t understand why instead of stepping sideways, she remained rooted to the spot. He was too close. Too tempting. Too much for her to comprehend.

“You think I do not desire you?” he continued, lowering his head.

His face was so close to hers that she was sure he was going to kiss her. And she wanted it so much. Oh did she want it.

She could see the smattering of freckles on the bridge of his nose. She had noticed them before, but they gave a wistful air to a man with such a rigid personality.

He lowered his head further, his breath fanning her cheeks. He must have had some tea earlier, for his breath smelled of it. She wanted a taste, and she wanted it fromhislips.

She felt her eyes close involuntarily as his lips moved so close to hers that only a sliver of air separated them.

Her blood thrummed with anticipation, which was not satisfied when she felt him step away from her.

“I do not understand why you need to close your eyes,” he drawled, slight laughter in his voice.

Louisa’s eyes snapped open as a hot flush crept up her face and neck at having been caught in his cleverly woven trap.

Cad!

She thought quickly about how she could salvage the situation and her dignity.

“I was savoring my victory, Your Grace. It seems that you have moved on from monosyllabic answers to whole sentences—such an improvement,” she said weakly.

“I do aim to please,” he intoned with a mocking bow.

“Well, if you do,” she continued, drawing herself up to her full height, “then I require that you appear for at least one of the three meals of the day. Since you have missed breakfast, I will see you at dinner.” And then she turned on her heel and made for the door.

“And if I refuse?”

Louisa paused and turned back to see Percy leaning against his desk. His face was nearly unreadable, but she saw the challenge in his eyes. He thought she would be easily deterred, didn’t he? She would definitely have her revenge. One way or another.

“You will not,” she replied with a mischievous smile. “You said it yourself—you aim to please. I need you to please me,husband.”

With that cryptic statement, she left his study, satisfied with the dumbfounded expression on his face.

Chapter Ten