She tried not to grab the mince pie too hastily. It was small, and she decided that eating the rest of it in one bite, although not ladylike, wouldn’t be surpassing their agreement.
Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw the Duke smile as she ate the rest of the mince pie in one bite. It tasted incredible, and she felt her mood lift slightly.
“And now?” she asked, once she’d swallowed the rest of the mince pie. “Do you want heirs?”
“I don’t know.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Well, this is very interesting information, but I think you need to elaborate. After all, this affects me.”
“Eat some pheasant,” he said, forking some and passing it to her. She took a big bite. It was perfectly cooked, still tender and seasoned with salt and thyme.
“The ham is good as well,” he said, “with applesauce.”
“Wait—you need to answer another question.”
“To elaborate: I know many will consider it my duty to produce heirs, but I am not eager for them. And of course… there is the question of whether or not you want children.”
“Don’t most women?” she asked between mouthfuls of ham slathered in applesauce and cranberries.
“You are not most women, Rosalie Goldwin.”
It was the first time she had heard her new name, and she paused. He was looking at her with a particularly scrutinizing expression, and she suddenly felt exposed.
“Do you want children with me?” she asked more quietly.
This made his brow furrow. “What do you mean? I don’t understand the question.”
She bit her lip and tried again. “Do you… want our marriage… to be consummated? Do you want to try for heirs?”
For the first time since he’d entered the room, she thought she saw a flash of embarrassment cross his face, but he quickly returned his expression to neutral.
“I will honor your choice in the matter,” he said at last. “The marriage need not be consummated until you are ready—if ever that occurs.”
This was such a surprisingly considerate answer that Rosalie didn’t know what to say. She blinked, taken aback, and had to fight the urge to reach out and cover his hand with hers.
Thank youwas what she wanted to say, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to say it.
Instead, she decided to switch to easier questions. “Who are you closest to in the world?”
“James.” She took a bite of brioche.
“And does he know everything about you?”
“More or less.” She took a bite of mackerel with fennel.
“Is there anything I know about you that he doesn’t?”
“No. Not yet.” She ate half of the plum cake in one bite.
“So, you’re saying I will learn more about you?”
“If you keep not eating, then I suppose so.” She had a slice of brown bread smeared with butter.
“Why are you called the Beast of Carramere?”
He frowned at her, but to her surprise, he answered, “Because people fear what they do not understand.”
“Oh come on, that’s not a real answer,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You have to tell me the real reason, or I won’t eat.”
