Page 12 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

Chapter Ten

C hristopher paced the dinning room, a scowl growing on his face. He had been informed she was coming down for dinner.

That was over an hour ago, and she still wasn’t here.

She must be doing this on purpose.

He was beginning to think she had changed her mind when finally the door opened.

He turned to look at her, lips parting in surprise at the sight.

She was beautiful in a red gown with delicate gold embroidery on the hem and lace on the sleeves.She was decked out in full evening attire.

He was sure he had told Daisy to ensure she knew he didn’t dress for dinner and yet here she was.

Beautiful, yes—stunning!—but he didn’t understand why she was going to all this trouble.

“Were you not told there was no need to dress for dinner?” he asked, brow knit in confusion.

She just smiled. “I was told you didn’t dress for dinner. I, however, like dressing for dinner and see no reason I should stop just because you don’t feel the need to observe the formality.”

“I hope this doesn’t mean you expect me to start dressing.”

She laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. It's your home. I want you to wear what makes you comfortable. And I will do the same.”

“And this,” he motioned to her attire. “Makes you comfortable?”

“Yes, most of my gowns have a touch of something I or one of my sisters added.”

“That’s actually rather sweet. Did you not do the same to your day dresses?”

“We always planned on it, but there was always a more important project to work on.”

“Well, you look–” Lovely. Lively. Like a wild rose in a gray and dying garden.

She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

Christopher looked away, shaking his head. “But I interrupted you. You were saying?”

“I only wanted to ask if I could have you look over a list I made.”

“A list, what kind of list?”

“Nothing major. Just a few things I’d like to do around the estate.”

“I see,” he nodded. Christopher knew he should have seen this coming. “I will look it over soon.”

Before she could reply a servant came and announced that they were to take their seats as the meal was about to be served.

They did just that.

That was when things started to go wrong.

As soon as he picked up his forkVeronica’s eyes seemed to lock on to something. He immediately knew what the next words out of her mouth were going to be.

“You are wearing your gloves.”

“Yes,” he replied, warily.

That was when it happened. She gave him the look he knew would come eventually. The look of pity that set his blood to boil. His heart pounded. It was a look he’d seen too many times on too many faces and when he saw it, he saw red.

“I hope you don’t feel like you need to do that for my comfort.”

“What?”

“If you feel more comfortable in them, then I’m glad you have them. But for pity’s sake, I know better than anyone that you’re scarred. Don’t wear them on my account.”

He scowled. “Why would I need to wear them for your sake?”

“If you were worried I would be uncomfortable, I want you to know I don’t mind.”

He glared. “Perhaps not, but I do.”

“Then I’m glad you have them.”

“Are you?”

“Of course, even if you don’t want to tell me why you’re wearing them.”

“Why would I tell you anything?”

She huffed. “I don’t know. Perhaps because I am your wife now.”

He scowled. “I thought you didn’t want to marry me.”

“I did not, no,” she confessed. “But that doesn’t matter anymore.”

“How do you figure?”

“Because we’re here now. There’s no changing it. I am your wife so we should try to make the best of it.”

He snorted out a half laugh. “That isn’t a half bad way of seeing things. There’s just one little problem.”

“Oh really? And what would that be?”

“I have no desire to be married to you either.”

She paled. “What?I don’t understand. If you feel like that, then why did you come to the church? Why not let me marry Lord Gallmore and be done with it?”

“Because, you’re mine!” he growled.

She glared. “If you don’t want me for your wife, then it doesn’t really seem like I’m yours to me.”

“I can see that. Otherwise, you never would have tried to marry that awful man.”

“I already told you, It was my parents choice,” she leveled him with a look. “Just like you were.”

“So you’re saying I should blame them?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what are you saying?”

She sighed. “I only wanted to point out that you were the one who made a choice here, not me.”

“You made plenty of choices on your own to get to this point.”

“You’re wrong. I haven’t, but that changes. I’m a married woman now. I can make my own choices even if I can only make them hidden away in your estate.”

“Is that right?”

“It is, so as my husband you should get used to it.”

He glared, leaning forward in his seat. “Listen to me, we are married, but this is hardly a real marriage.”

“Then what is it?!”

He glared, but didn’t say anything, because if he was honest he didn’t have an answer. After all, how could he tell her the truth? How could he admit he knew it was selfish? He knew he didn’t deserve her?

But when he saw she was about to marry someone else, he couldn’t help himself.

He told his servants to prepare a room for her then set off on his fastest horse. Her letter had gotten lost, so by the time it made its way to him had been delayed and he just barely made it to the church in time.

“It doesn’t matter,” he growled. “All that matters is that you belong to me.”

“No!” She snapped. “I belong to myself. That is something you would do well not to forget!” she shot to her feet and started storming off.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

She didn’t reply, simply storming off, slamming the dinning room door behind her.