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But they wouldn’t. She knew that now, and she warned her wayward heart to be careful. She’d been hurt before, and she couldn’t imagine being vulnerable to him again.

‘You didn’t need to give me another ring.’ The words were hollow, holding back her emotions.

‘The other one didn’t fit you.’

She dropped her gaze back to the ring, wishing he’d never bought her such an exquisite thing. He didn’t understand. Not at all.

‘It’s beautiful, just as the ballgown was. But I didn’t need gifts.’ Her words trailed off. ‘What I needed was my husband at my side. One who wouldn’t leave me behind.’

The way my own family did, she didn’t say.

He squeezed her hand. ‘I’m here now.’ His voice was wicked in a silent caress as he leaned in to kiss her.

The moment he did, prickles erupted over her skin. Yearning flooded through her, and she finally gave in to the desire to touch his hair. She knew she shouldn’t kiss him back…and yet she couldn’t help herself. His warm mouth reminded her of how much she’d enjoyed his touch. It had been so long.

Her body was aching for his, but she sensed that if she surrendered to her baser needs, she would only fall harder.

And still she waited just a little longer, savouring the forbidden touch. Alaric framed her face with his hands, and his kiss was growing hotter, his hands moving to the neckline of her bodice. He gently nudged it to her shoulder, and then he moved his mouth to the bared skin.

‘I couldn’t stop thinking of you,’ he said against her throat.

No. She couldn’t allow this to happen. She wasn’t a weak, pliant wife who would yield to his desires after he came from another woman. This wasn’t real. She knew that.

Abruptly, she stood from her chair, leaving the cake plate and empty teacup. ‘Thank you for the ring, but I have more to do in the gardens. I will see you later.’

Before he could say anything, she hurried from the room. It was the only way to guard herself from making the same mistake of softening her heart.

I won’t love him again, she swore to herself. I can’t.

Chapter Twelve

Rule 12: If you are gone for extended periods of time, then I am permitted to make decisions in your stead, as your duchess.

Alaric attempted to add water to the dead bulb, even knowing it was likely a hopeless cause. But now that he took the time to look around the study, he discovered that his wife had completely ignored his rule about making changes to the house. She had opened up the curtains, letting light into his study. The books were no longer haphazardly scattered in the bookcases but were now organised and neatly placed on the shelves. His father’s ledgers had been tucked away, and there was a small stack of letters on his desk. Inside his desk drawer, he found a row of quill pens and fresh paper.

And his study was just the beginning. Even without the flowers, there was a brightness within the house, as if some of the sorrow had lifted. He’d noticed that more curtains had been replaced, and there were a few new carpets he’d never seen before.

Somehow, he found that he didn’t mind the changes so much. Severn had been caught within the shadows of grief for far too long. It was time for something different.

Last night, his wife had remained in her own room, even though he’d kept the adjoining door ajar. He’d hoped she would join him, but the silent invitation had been ignored.

Today, he’d decided to give Charlotte her second gift.

Although she’d told him she didn’t want gifts, he didn’t know how else to make things right between them. He couldn’t go back and change the decisions he’d made. It felt as if their marriage was shifting somehow, as if their carefully planned rules were shattering.

He’d hurt her without meaning to. And he had to atone for it somehow.

At least this gift was different from the others, flowers that would make her smile and possibly become the apology he needed.

Alaric ordered a footman to bring their coats, and he went off in search of his wife. He found her in the drawing room where she was bent over the plans for the new summerhouse. Her expression was wistful as she studied the design.

‘I have another surprise for you,’ he said. ‘Do you have time to walk with me? There’s something I want to show you.’

She glanced up from the plans. Reluctance lined her face. ‘I really do have a great deal of work to do.’

‘It won’t take long,’ he promised. ‘It’s on the estate grounds.’

He could tell that she wanted to refuse, but when he held out his hand, she sighed. ‘I suppose.’