“I became the Beast of Carramere to be able to protect those I love,” Nathan snarled. “She will never know another unhappy day in her life, now that she has me. But there is something I need to say to you first.” He drew himself up to his full height. “You tried to ruin that girl. You tried to break her. But you failed. She is good and kind and generous, despite your best efforts to bring her up otherwise. Despite you trying tostarveher.”
Jebediah’s snide smile slipped. “Oh, was she complaining about the restrictions I put on her food? Trust me, it was for her own good. You should be thanking me, Your Grace. I slimmed her down, got her nice and docile for a husband like you.”
Nathan couldn’t hear another word of this. He leaned forward so that his face was level with Jebediah’s. “This is for what you did to her.”
And he hit Jebediah as hard as he could.
The former Viscount let out a grunt of pain and fell sideways; he was prevented from hitting the ground by the chains that kept him tied upright. When he looked up at Nathan, his face was red and there was a cut on his cheek that was beginning to bleed.
“You see?” Jebediah said, and his eyes glittered. “She did marry someone just like me.”
Nathan turned without a word, slamming the door behind him, but the echo of it wasn’t nearly as persistent as Jebediah’s words.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Rosalie, you’re back!”
Iris threw her arms around Rosalie, who felt as if all the air had been crushed from her lungs in her sister’s embrace.
“We missed you so much,” Iris gushed, continuing to squeeze her as if she hadn’t seen her in a year. And indeed, it did seem like more time had passed than Rosalie realized as Iris’ bump had gotten even bigger. She could feel it pressing against her as she hugged her sister.
“It was just a month,” Rosalie said, laughing, as Iris finally released her. “Although you are so much further along already!”
“I know, isn’t it wonderful?” Iris beamed. “I’ve started to feel her kick!”
“You think it’s a girl?”
“I do,” Iris said, her eyes sparkling. “Although, of course, there’s no way to know…”
“Well, I hope it is,” Violet said. “I like girls.”
Violet was standing right behind Iris, and she held out her arms to Rosalie as well. As she took Rosalie in her arms, she was significantly less forceful than Iris had been.
“And how’s my niece?” Rosalie asked as she released Violet. “Is she doing well?”
“Never better! She is learning to walk now, and every day, it seems that she can accomplish something new! It’s a joy to watch her grow up, I almost wish the time would slow down…”
“You’re such a good mother,” Iris assured her, placing her hand on Violet’s arm. “The mother we all wish we’d had.”
Violet wrinkled her nose. “We’ve all forgiven Mama, Iris, don’t forget.”
“Right…” Iris winked at Rosalie. “I just get a tad protective over my little sisters from time to time. Anyway, come, sit down, Rosalie, and tell us all about your honeymoon to the countryside!”
Iris motioned for her to sit on one of the couches. The sisters had gathered at Iris’ townhouse because as her pregnancy advanced, it was harder for her to travel, even short distances. Rosaliehad written both her sisters notes the moment she’d returned to London, and she was so happy to see them that she felt as if she was going to weep. She also had so much to tell them although she didn’t know exactly where to start.
They all seated themselves on the sofa, and Iris rang for tea.
“Speaking of children…” She looked meaningful at Rosalie. “Do you have any news for us in that department?”
Rosalie blushed scarlet. She had never discussed such a scandalous topic with her sister before! “No, no, not at all,” she said, trying to act as if this question wasn’t a big deal—as if she were a worldly woman who understood the mysteries of married life. “The Duke and I are not in any rush to have children. It wasn’t the reason we married, and we would rather get to know one another better.”
Violet offered her a kind smile. “James and I also took it slow,” she assured. “It was the right decision. Then, when it came time for our relationship to evolve, we were on the same page.”
Rosalie nodded although she wasn’t sure she understood exactly.Why do women always speak in riddles when discussing their marriages?
But she was also speaking in riddles, she supposed.
“But how is it going?” Iris asked. “Has Nathan been treating you well? If he hasn’t been, then Violet and I are happy to have aword with him or send our husbands to have a word with him. I’m sure Phineas would call him out if he had to…”
