“More that you cannot spend the night ignoring her. I know it will be difficult for you, Your Grace, but it is imperative that questions not be raised.”
Why did it feel as if Mr. Pemberton was working against him? Although everything the man said made perfect sense, it sounded as if he was trying to manipulate Cassian into having affections for his wife.
Likely, Cassian was simply imagining things. At least he told himself that he was.
On the surface, he reasoned that he would do as he had to do, and that it would make no real difference. He could not forgive Isolde for what she had done, nor did he want to. He would playhis role, he would get through the Season, and then he would cut her off entirely and pretend that she did not exist.
It was easier that way… it was all he could do to save himself.
But beneath that hardened surface, under the shell Cassian wore, he worried what might happen if he was forced to be kind to his wife, to treat her as if they were a happily married couple. Would he forget how much she had hurt him? Would he start to remember how much he had loved her? Did he want that?
It was all very confusing, and Cassian doubted that such confusion would change anytime soon.
I will do as I must and no more…
“You are dismissed, Mr. Pemberton,” he sighed and waved the man out of the room. “Do what you can for Isolde, and I promise that I will do the same. But warn her, Mr. Pemberton…” He fixed a scowl on his steward. “She is to know that I am only being kind to her because I must, not because I want to. If I had it my way, I would never see her again.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Pemberton bowed once and left the room.
Cassian knew that his warning, while it was said to be for Isolde, was for him too. He had to remember what she had done to him, he had to remember how it made him feel, and most of all, hehad to remember that the love he thought he felt for Isolde was not real.
Twenty-One
“I…” Isolde hesitated, her words catching in her throat.
Across from her sat Cassian, and not once since they had climbed into the carriage together had he looked at her. In fact, the way that he sat with his body turned away suggested that he was pretending she wasn’t there at all. His jaw was so set, his brow so furrowed. Everything about his manner told her that he wished she were not.
Perhaps it is better to say nothing? Do not antagonize him or make things worse, Isolde!
Not that things could be worse. And they could certainly be better. It had not escaped Isolde’s notice that Cassian had not said so much as a word to her since he dismissed her from supper two nights ago, and the only time that he looked at her was done with a glare so cold that she should have been grateful that he was set on ignoring her presence.
Again and again, Isolde was forced to remember that this marriage was for life, and if that life was to be at all comfortable, then she and Cassian needed to find a way to be around one another without it being so awkward.
With that in mind, Isolde straightened and faced her husband.
“I wanted to?—”
“Do not bother,” he cut her off, still not looking. His voice was sharp, his expression cold.
“Excuse me?”
“Do not waste time apologizing,” he said as he stared out the window. “You have done so already, and laboring the point will make no difference. So, please, save your breath.”
“I…” She leaned back, struck by how harshly he had spoken to her. “I was not going to apologize.”
“You… you weren’t?” his voice cracked from surprise.
“No,” she said. “I was going to thank you.”
“What for?”
“For trusting me,” she said, offering a smile as if that might force some warmth into the carriage. “I know you do not want me heretonight, just as I know you would be far happier were I anywhere but near you. But that you trust me to do as I have promised…” Her smile remained. “Thank you.”
Cassian continued to stare out of the window, but she saw the confusion pass behind his eyes. He scowled. He clenched his jaw. He was angry and uninterested. But it was forced.
“Do not thank me,” he said finally. “And do not presume that this has anything to do with you. I invited you tonight because I have no choice in the matter.”
“You are a duke,” she said. “You always have a choice.”
