Page 90 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed

Ice filled his veins. ‘So your meeting was with dear Stepmama.’

Her cheeks flushed. ‘You know, you are really awful to your family. Your father—’

‘My father let his second wife walk all over him along with the rest of my benighted family. I am not my father.’

‘And you do not want or need a wife. I want you to let me go my own way. It won’t make any difference to you.’

Not make a difference? His whole life had changed since her arrival. He’d changed his whole way of life because she’d made him want to be worthy of her regard. But he wasn’t. He never could be. And if she didn’t want to stay, why would he force her?

He gazed at her. Took her lovely face in one last time as if he could imprint it on his mind. Saw the sweetness in her eyes. The courage in her determined chin. The passion. Things that had drawn him to her right from the first. Things he wanted, but had been doing perfectly fine without for years. He let a chill invade his soul and curled his lip. ‘If you want to go, I won’t stop you.’

Sorrow filled her face when he had expected satisfaction. She nodded. ‘It is for the best.’

‘Let my lawyers know your address. I’ll have them set up whatever funds you need.’ It was the best he could do.

She looked shocked. ‘I don’t want your money.’

Even his money wasn’t good enough. A pang pierced his heart, ripping it open. He stuffed the tear with ice. Recalled the way his father had turned from him after his marriage to Isobel. How hurt he’d been.

He needed no one but himself, he’d proved that for years, but that didn’t mean she had to go back to living in poverty.

He gave her his best ducal stare. The one designed to put mushrooms in their place. ‘You wanted my money enough to marry me, I believe.’

She flushed as if he’d slapped her. ‘I cannot deny I was desperate. But—’

‘Exactly. You were desperate and we’ve both had a rollicking good time and now it is time to pay the piper. The carriage will be at the door to take you to London in an hour. I’ll send along anything you cannot pack now. My lawyers will be in touch about the settlements.’

Unable to bear watching her go, he walked down to the stables, ordered the carriage, then saddled Thor and rode he knew not where.