Ordinarily, Hudson would not care if he hurt another’s feelings. And he certainly would not care if he upset someone. But in this instance, the look of hurt on his wife’s face stabbed him in the chest as if a knife had been plunged into his heart, and he very nearly apologized.
Instead of that, however, Hudson ended the waltz early.
“Thank you for the dance,” he said stiffly, taking a step back and offering a short bow. “It was enjoyable.” And then, before she had a chance to respond, he turned and walked away.
What was that? The guilt. The pain felt at hurting her feelings. I should not care but for some reason I do. Suddenly, this marriage is feeling more dangerous than I could have imagined.
This was supposed to be a marriage of convenience. A business transaction and nothing more. But what had just happened...no, no, that was far too close. That, whatever it was, could not happen again. If it did, this marriage might become very complicated indeed, and Hudson hated complicated.
CHAPTER NINE
Florentia stood by the base of the staircase as she waited patiently for the last of the guests to leave. She had not been asked to do so. Her husband did not imply that he wished for it, nor did he tell her that she need not bother. And seeing as this was her home now too, and this was the first day of their marriage, she figured that it was the right thing to do.
Why do I feel like an intruder in my own home? And why does my husband not seem to care?
He was busy at the moment, standing at the open doorway, forcing politeness as he bid farewell to Lord Heatherington, who was doing everything that he could to ignore the duke’s icy temperament and clear desire to see him leave.
“...a drink, perhaps?” Lord Heatherington asked, halfway out the door, but looking back into the manor with a sense of hope. “Now that the other hangers-on have departed, we have much to discuss.”
“Another time, perhaps.”
“Do not think I will forget!” he chortled. “You owe me one drink.”
“I look forward to it.”
“And that promenade, Your Grace.” He caught Florentia watching and his eyes lit up. “Perhaps this coming Saturday, hmm? If there are no objections?”
The duke looked over his shoulder, saw Florentia standing there, and gave no sign that he might consider such a proposal, or cared what her opinion was. He returned to Lord Heatherington. “We shall discuss it and get back to you.”
“See that you do. And another thing?—”
“Lord Heatherington, it was pleasant to see you today, and I thank you for making the time.” The duke’s tone darkened; the implication was clear now. “We will speak again shortly.”
Lord Heatherington’s face dropped. “Yes...” A shake of the head and he brightened. “What am I thinking! Honestly, I need a smack over the head, do I not? Overstaying my welcome!”
“Not at all.”
“You will hear from me shortly.”
“I look forward to it.”
“And you, Your Grace!” he spoke past the duke, to Florentia who still stood waiting. “A wonderful day, I wish you all the best.”
She offered him a tight smile. Although she was not as socially callous as her husband, she too was hoping to see the persistent lord leave already so she might have some time alone with Hudson. It was not something she was looking forward to, but rather a necessary evil which she hoped would rectify what had been a most tragic start to this marriage.
Still, she could not stop thinking about what had occurred between them earlier as they had danced together. Deciding that she needed to try harder, Florentia had done everything she was able to try and coax her husband from his shell, praying that he was just nervous and a little shy, that if she showed him warmth and kindness and honesty, he might begin to see her the way she wished to be seen.
Alas, as was typical with Florentia, she had gotten carried away and gone too far.
There had been a moment. A brief instant where he had relaxed and smiled and seemed to be enjoying himself. A flittering second where Florentia had dared to dream of what might be.
Then, most predictably, he had pulled away and snapped at her. He had turned angry. Her attempts at playing fun and joking with him had backfired horribly, and he had not spoken with her once since, or so much as looked at her.He really is a cold toad,and despite what Albina claims, I cannot foresee a glimmer of warmth in the man whose bed I am now expected to share.
But Florentia was not one to give up. As stubborn as a mule, she had spent the rest of the day preparing herself for this moment right here. There was still one thing she needed to learn of her husband, the most important thing in her mind. And whether he liked it or not, before the day was through, she was going to get an answer.
“Thank God...” Her husband sighed as he closed the door behind Lord Heatherington. “I thought the man would never leave.”
“He certainly is eager, isn’t he?” she agreed.
