Dominic frowned. “Embarrassed? Why?”
She shrugged, a small, sad gesture. “He said that I asked too many questions. Had too many opinions.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“To my brother, yes,” Dorothea replied. “He felt that women should be seen, but not heard.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“I thought so, as well.”
He would’ve asked more, but they arrived at the dining room. He guided her to the chair at the far end of the long, polished table and waited for her to be seated before claiming his own place opposite her. Within moments, footmen entered and placed bowls of steaming soup before them.
The quiet clink of spoons against porcelain was the only sound for some time, until Dominic set his spoon aside and cleared his throat. “I was hoping to speak with you about… the consummation of our marriage.”
Dorothea dabbed her lips with her napkin and met his gaze. “I expected as much. I know it’s my duty, but I do hope you’ll be patient. I have a general understanding of… of such things, from time spent on a farm.”
“I assure you, the act between a man and woman is rather different than livestock.”
She lifted her chin. “Regardless, I am your wife. I understand men have… urges.”
He nearly laughed at the absurdity of the exchange, but her serious expression held him in check. “One would hope women have urges as well.”
“I wouldn’t know, my lord.”
He leaned slightly to the side to allow a footman to collect his empty bowl. “As enlightening as this conversation is, I was actually inquiring whether we had already consummated the marriage.”
“Oh. No, of course not. You were far too ill.”
“I thought as much, but I wanted to confirm it.”
She reached for her glass. “Do you wish to… tonight?”
“No.”
Her brows knit. “Is there a reason?”
Dominic hesitated. He wasn’t ready to reveal his pursuit of annulment, not yet. “No reason,” he lied.
“Do you think you won’t enjoy it?”
He chuckled softly. “That’s not my concern.”
“Then what is?”
The amusement left his voice. “May we not simply eat in silence?”
Dorothea lowered her eyes. “Of course.”
They resumed eating, the silence between them now charged with something brittle and tense. Dominic hadn’t meant to be curt, but he had no desire to encourage a deeper connection with her. Not when it would only complicate things.
After a few minutes, Dorothea looked up, her voice tentative. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I simply prefer quiet during meals.”
“Oh.” She paused. “But if I did offend you, I hope you’ll tell me. We are married.”
He scoffed, unable to help himself. “Only in the legal sense. This is no true marriage. We barely know each other.”
