“Why?” He stared back at her, the concern and care present in his expression. She just couldn’t believe that it wasn’t real.
Diana looked into his green eyes and she would swear that she spotted love reflected back in them.
“Because my husband is clearly distressed about something and is keeping things from me.”
Graham’s jaw tightened and then he reached for her. “Diana—”
“Don’t,” she said, stepping away from his touch. “Don’t attempt to lull me into dropping this. Just… please. Tell me the truth.”
For a moment, she thought he would finally tell her. His eyes were wild with emotion, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as if he were fighting some internal battle.
He raked his fingers through his hair. It was what he did every single time she questioned him. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
She closed her eyes to gather her strength and then asked the burning question. “Did you trap me into marriage with you?”
His eyes went wide. “What?”
“Did you set up what occurred so I’d have to marry you?”
“No, Diana,” he said quickly. “I swear to you that I didn’t do so. You must believe me.”
Fool as she was, she was inclined to believe him, but that still didn’t explain some of his behavior.
“Do you need my dowry to pay off debts?”
He ran his hand down his face. “No. I do not. Your dowry is in an account that is meant for you and our future children.”
She released a small sigh, relieved that the worst of her suspicions weren’t true. If what he said was to be believed. But it still didn’t explain why he had acted so strangely. And she decided she had to continue with her questions. “What about that man? Your hand was bruised. Did you strike him?”
Graham paced a couple steps before her, almost like a caged animal. “He was a shady character my cousin associated with. He is vile and I wanted him out of our home. I don’t want someone like that anywhere near you.”
She moved closer, searching his face desperately. “Then what is it that is troubling you? Why won’t you just tell me.”
Graham cupped her face in his hands, his touch so warm and gentle, that she wanted nothing more than to just lean into him and feel the hardness of his muscular chest. “Because you’re everything to me, and I need to protect you.”
“From what?”
Instead of answering, he kissed her, and Diana melted. She wanted to resist, to demand answers, but her treacherous body responded as italways did, wanting more and more of him.
When he pulled back, his eyes didn’t leave hers. “Marrying you has been the best thing to ever happen to me. I did not plan it, and if the rules of our world were different, I would never have forced you to marry me, but I thank the stars every night that we have found each other. Just please believe that.”
He kissed her again, deeper this time, and Diana let him because she did believe him. Even if that meant ignoring her practical mind once again.
