AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m only dismayed by your arrival today.”
“You don’t like to feel as if you’ve been overlooked. Or ignored.” The rumble of his words ran over Theo, melting into her bones. “I will take better care in the future.”
Theo gripped her brush tighter. Haven, in addition to all his other unpleasant, unwelcome qualities, was far too intuitive. She had felt overlooked most of her life, a dull wren hiding amongst the more vibrant, colorful Barringtons.
“Perish the thought, my lord. Ignore me as often as you like. Ours is not a relationship born of affection but based on other values. Financial gain being the primary one. My not being treated like a leper for the remainder of my life being the other. As it happens, now seems a good time to speak of our future. It is long overdue. We should discuss the rules.”
“Rules?” A brow lifted.
“Yes. I’m sure you’ll agree due to the circumstances of our marriage, it would be best if we keep things somewhat distant—”
“No,” he stated flatly.
“You have no idea what I’m going to say,” she countered. Theo had spent many hours since Lady Molsin’s considering how best to proceed. It made sense for both of them. Haven was merely being difficult.
“I have a general idea of your ridiculous proposal, Theodosia, and my answer is definitely no.” Haven came closer, filling the air around her with spice and leather.
“It isn’t ridiculous.” Theo pushed the spectacles further up her nose. “And I don’t understand why you would object. We aren’t suited at all. We consistently argue—”
“It is because you are so hostile, as I stated earlier.”
“Regardless, I am willing to come to an understanding, my lord. You are a marquess, after all, and will require an heir. And I do adore children,” she assured him. “Therefore, I am willing to do my duty with the agreement that once completed, we will have a more distant—”
“No.”
She blinked at him, surprised again at his quick response. “Why on earth would you object? I’m sure you’ll prefer the company of your mistress.”
“I don’t have a mistress.”
“Yes, but now you’ll be able to afford one.” She ignored the soft wince of her heart thinking of Haven and his slew of mistresses. It renewed her resolve to keep their marriage distant. “And I said I would do my duty. We both know I won’t enjoy it.”
“It?”
She waved her hands about. “The marital bed. Concourse.”
“Concourse?” Haven’s lips twitched. “I think you might mean congress.”
Theo thought of what she’d seen at Elysium during her lone visit there. “Concourse. Congress.” She twirled the brush in the air. “What difference does it make? You know my affections lie elsewhere.”
A low growl of warning came from him. “So you keep saying.”
This was not going as Theo had planned. She’d assumed he would welcome such an understanding and failed to see why he would object. Their entire marriage was bound for disaster. Surely he knew that.
“I shall lie in your bed,” she said with determination, hoping her next words would deter him and force him to see the value of what she proposed, “and contemplate the color of the ceiling. Possibly the design of the canopy above the bed.”
“I don’t have a canopy over my bed,” he snarled.
“Fine. I will think of Blythe, while you,” she waved the brush around trying not to blush at the mere thought of being naked with Haven, “get me with child.”
“What a generous proposal. I want to make sure I understand. You will submit to me, detesting every moment you spend in my bed, to provide me an heir?”
“Yes.” She refused to back down. “I think it a fair trade. You’ll have my dowry, after all. And an heir. I’m willing to do my duty.”
“Hmm.” Haven’s brow wrinkled in consideration.
It appeared she’d convinced him. He looked...contemplative.
“All I must do is wave goodbye once yourdistastefulduty is discharged?” His voice dropped to a deep, silky rumble. “Then you traipse all over London, stumbling into people and flicking paint about? Perhaps create a few more self-portraits?”
