“His Grace briefly described your terms in the letter he sent me two days ago,” the solicitor stated, drawing a stack of papers from his satchel the moment Caroline stepped into Damien’s study. Her new husband was seated behind the large wooden desk, but like the solicitor, Caroline chose to remain standing as they discussed the contract.
“You sent your solicitor a letter two days ago?” Caroline asked, flicking her eyes toward Damien.
He shrugged his massive shoulders.
“I told you I had to have him release the funds for the purchase of the orphanage. I figured I would go ahead and ask him to get started on our marital contract. However, if there is anything he or I have missed, write it down, and he will correct it.”
Although annoyed by his coldness, Caroline took the contract and read it over. Her clause for no touching had been included, stressing that Damien was not allowed to lay a hand on her, much to her surprise, as well as her ability to access Damien’s funds anytime she wished. It was also noted that she would, in return for access to such funds, be in charge of George until his true parentage was discovered.
“Well? Is everything there?” Damien asked, sounding bored as she reached the end of the contract.
She glanced up at him and saw that he was not looking at her, but studying his fingernails. Although annoyed at hisindifference, she bit back her sarcastic remark and shook her head. It was only then that Damien turned his gaze back to her, his brow furrowing as he then cast an accusatory look toward his solicitor.
The man, for the first time, did not match Damien’s silent fuming demeanor, but instead appeared fearful.
“Your Grace,” he hastily replied, shaking his head vehemently. “Everything is in there, I swear it!”
“Not the part that I get to leave,” Caroline clarified, pushing the papers toward him. “His Grace and I agreed. Once the boy’s parentage was discovered, I would have the freedom to leave this marriage.”
To her annoyance, the solicitor shook his head.
“I am afraid that is not our country’s way, Your Grace,” he said to her. “A marriage is a sacred union between two people and God, meant to be carried out until death. One that the two of you just willingly entered. I cannot grant or guarantee you a divorce once you have made that decision. I have never seen one approved by the crown in my time. I could, of course, help you file for an annulment, though this will not be easy either.”
Caroline’s eyes narrowed, feeling betrayed.
“Did you know?” Her eyes were still on the solicitor, but it was Damien she was asking.
“I had assumed that such a request would be troublesome, but I wanted to hear it from him to be sure,” Damien replied, his deep tone holding a hard edge.
She dared a quick glance toward him and saw he was still staring daggers at the solicitor.
“That does not mean I cannot provide you with a house when our agreement is finished. We might not be able to legally dissolve the marriage, but you can at least get away from me just like you always wanted,” he finished. “I give you my word that I will not bother or stop you.”
Caroline opened her mouth to defend herself as a surprising wave of shame made her cheeks flush. He almost sounded...hurt.
“I am sorry that I did not inform you sooner, Your Grace,” the solicitor apologized, drawing her attention back to him. “However, it was you who chose to move so swiftly on today’s agenda. You did not give me a moment to warn you before you had the priest perform the ceremony.”
Anger and panic clouded Caroline’s mind, and she cursed herself for having to rely on the Duke’s word. It was too late to turn back now, though. The marriage was sanctified, and if she did not sign the contract, there was nothing to enforce the other promises Damien had made. Picking up the pen, she scribbled her name, then shoved both the pen and the contract toward Damien. There was a brief moment of silence as Caroline kept her fuming gaze to the floor, then she heard the scratching of the pen. The contract, like their marriage, was now sealed.
“You should leave now,” Damien’s deep, anger-filled voice said, breaking the quiet.
The solicitor did not respond, but simply picked up the contract and all but ran to the door. For the next several moments, both Caroline and Damien sat in silence, their anger radiating throughout the room like a furnace.
“I swear, if this is a trick...” she finally gritted out, but the slamming of Damien’s fist upon his desk stopped her. She flinched before looking at him, her body coiled and ready to strike back if need be. Yet aside from his fist now wrapped tight atop the desk, Damien had remained still. His eyes, however, held a promise of vengeance if she did not watch herself.
“I truly am a monster to you, am I not?”
His question, and the hurt barely lacing his otherwise angry tone, caught Caroline off guard. If she did not know better, she might have thought he could actually feel offended.
Why would he even care what I think of him?
“Tell me about George,” she stated, ignoring his question as she kept a wary eye on Damien, who remained seething behind his desk.
His jaw worked back and forth, as if he were grinding his teeth.
“I already told you all that I know,” he gritted out. “A woman I never met before brought him here. He had a stutter when he spoke. He barely eats when he is with his nurse, and he never does when I am in his presence.”
“And is that truly how he came to you?” Caroline asked, staring right through his glare. “Or did something happen to make him fearful of you?”
