Page 49 of A Rogue to Ensnare

Siobhan lowered into a chair but did not touch the teacup. Behind her angered expression was a flicker of hurt. He fought not to reach out to touch her.

“I apologize for being absent the past week. I should have explained certain things to you before we married. I did not make the time, because it is hard to admit.”

Refusing to look at him, Siobhan instead reached for her cup and took a sip.

Miles continued, “I am afraid you have married a man who is… not fully well.”

At this, she turned to him, sky blue eyes searching his face. “What do you mean?”

Having to fight past the dryness in his throat, he cleared it. “I suffer from debilitating headaches. There is nothing any doctor has been able to do to keep them at bay. They last for days on end.”

“Is that why you sometimes sleep on the floor?” she blurted, her eyes widening at her disclosure. “The day we formulated the engagement, I slipped up here to find you. You seemed incoherent. I thought you to be drunk.”

He let out a breath, embarrassment coating him like slimy pond water. “I suppose it would seem that way. During these times, I cannot find a place to be comfortable. Whether the bed, the floor, it matters not. The pain is without pity on me.”

Her expression softened, but there remained steel in her eyes. “You should have informed me. Someone should have told me why you were in your room all those days. It was not fair.”

“I agree. I am so very sorry.” Miles reached for her hand, but she moved it away.

“What now?” she asked. “Am I to stay away whenever these episodes occur? And I need to know, what causes them? Do you know? Are they frequent?”

That she asked so matter-of-factly was another blow to his ego. He’d expected more compassion, or perhaps to have to assure her that he was well otherwise. Instead, she’d seemed more worried about her role.

“You should probably avoid being near me,” he admitted. “I am sometimes out of my mind with pain.” He looked away. “What you witnessed was not the norm, as it only lasted one day and night. It has been almost six months since the last long episode before this one. But more often than not, they last up to a week or so.”

“This marriage,” Siobhan began. “I do not know what to think. We have not made any decisions. It feels as if I do not have a place, a role.”

“What do you wish? If you wish for our own home, I will purchase one. If you wish for us to travel, to go for more outings, balls… Just say it.”

Her lips curved at him mentioning balls as they both were not at all socially inclined. “What I wish is to know you better, and it seems to me that we should live elsewhere, by ourselves.”

Miles understood. Although he loved his family and the beautiful estate, he much preferred his time at the townhouse.

“Would you like to purchase a home?”

“No.” Siobhan shook her head. “I like the townhouse.”

“What about the other…”

She leaned forward in her chair, her blue eyes darkening. “That you have these headaches does not make you less of a man. It is out of your control. I would like to be present when your doctor visits next. To discuss how to care for you.”

Miles was struck silent. He closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “You do not have to care for me. I usually have forewarnings and can return here.”

“I am your wife; it should fall upon me. I wish to do it.” Siobhan stated, shaking her head. “I do not want you to have to leave our home when you do not feel well.”

After a moment, when he reached for her hand, she allowed it. Their gazes clashed, neither seeming to be able to look away. In the darkened blue pools, he could see she fought not to cry.

“This morning,” Miles began. “I should not have acted like I did. Upon hearing you were back there where you were abducted, all I could think of was you being hurt again.”

She blinked, and an errant tear slid down her cheek. “I have to do it. It is very important to me.”

“Can we wait? Let me find out more about what occurred and see what the authorities are doing about finding the man who attacked you.”

Siobhan nodded. “How long?”

“Just a week, perhaps two, but no more. I promise.”

Chapter Fourteen