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What could he tell her? That he was avoiding speaking to her because he feared what might happen? That they would inevitably argue, his temper would flare, and then he would lose control? That he did not want such a thing because once that happened, there was no going back? And because she hated him, because she very likely did not want him, when he did take her, it would be against her will?

The beast inside would not stop, and he would prove everyone correct. That was something he simply could not afford.

“I am just tired,” he tried.

“Yes, you said that already,” she snapped. “But even as tired as you must be, surely it is not too much to ask that you treat me not as an imposition, but as your wife.”

They were coming dangerously close to fighting again. Benedict took a calming breath. “I apologize. I do. And while you might think that I blame you for this marriage or am taking it out on you, I assure you that is not the case.”

“Good,” she said. “Because if anyone should experience your wrath, it’s my mother.”

He frowned. “What does that mean?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh… nothing.”

“Selina,” he growled, not caring this time, “what does that mean?”

She sucked through her teeth. “Only that—and please, promise not to be mad. But what happened between your brother and I, that was because of my mother.”

“Meaning?” he growled again.

“She was the one who…” She hesitated, grimacing the whole while. “She was the one who conspired to make your brother and I wake up in the same bed. She made sure that we were both drunk and then—I am not sure, to be honest—lured me into his room or vice versa. Ensured that she found us the next morning. This entire marriage was orchestrated by her.”

Benedict had promised himself that he would not get angry. He had done all he could to keep his temper. But promises made and promises kept were two different things, and as Selina’s explanation sank in, he felt that familiar sting of fury piercing through his forced calm.

This marriage wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a misunderstanding. It wasn’t bad luck! It was forced! Orchestrated! Lady Langham had taken it upon herself to see his brother tricked into marriage, caring not for the lives she might ruin along the way.

She hadabusedhis brother’s reputation! And she had nearly ruined his own!

“Do not blame her!” Selina cried desperately. “My mother is esoteric and a little rash, but she means well. She did not mean to?—”

“She went too far!” Benedict snarled. “The nerve of the woman. And after the way she behaved, as if my brother was some sort of cretin who had snuck into your bed! I ought to have her?—”

“Please!” Selina cried. “She means well!”

“And how eager she was to see me take his place,” he continued, barely able to control himself now, his body shaking as if he might explode. “She might not have suggested it, but she encouraged it! She implied that if I did not, word about my brother’s actions would spread! Oh…” He bared his teeth. “Your mother?—”

“Made a mistake!”

“For which we are now paying!”

This changed everything! It shone a light on just how unjust this marriage was, how pointless and avoidable it could have been. Before, Benedict had not wanted it but had agreed to it because it had been the right thing to do. Now, he did not want it because it was a trick, a trap, a most loathsome ploy that was beneath even the lowliest of sinners.

“I am so sorry…” Selina was leaning back, her eyes full of fear because she recognized the beast before her only too well. “Truly, I am.”

For once, Benedict’s anger didn’t bring with it the usual bout of amorous desire. Because this time, his anger wasn’t directed at Selina. It was directed at her mother instead.

He did not blame Selina, for she was as much a victim in this as he was. Two people who should have never ended up together now forced to spend the rest of their lives together, their hopes and dreams and desires soundly ignored. Deemed not important.

Benedict had not been certain about this marriage, how it might proceed or what would come out of it. But now he knew that there could never be a future, not when the past was as rotten as it was.

“It is not your fault,” he said, unable to look at Selina as his body shook. “And do not think I hold you responsible.”

“You are angry.”

He chuckled bitterly. “Furious.”

“What… what will you do?”