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“You can’t fool me.I see you love your business ventures more than you love kisses.”
“There are eyes.”He winged his brows toward the girls.“Rose, the footman will escort you through the bazaar.I need to speak to the manager before I rejoin you.”
Lord, it was so embarrassing to ask for money.She’d married without a real coin in her reticule, and she still had nothing.Lloyds kept her dowry funds, and she was only paid quarterly.She hesitated, biting at her lip.
“What is it?”Matthew asked
“I—I have no funds,” she whispered.“I know you promised pin money, but you’ve said nothing about the legal aspect of our marriage, including my dower property or the money from my father’s dowry gift.”In the midst of the Grand Gala Bazaar, she knew this was not the place to be discussing such matters especially given Matthew’s determination for privacy.Even worse, she hated going hot and cold in the space of a few minutes.
He frowned but said, “Of course, how foolish of me.”He pulled coins from his pocket and handed them to Rose.“And a dowry was never expected in our marriage.”
“But—”
“We’ll discuss this later.”
His penchant for privacy was also a splinter in her eye.“No.We will talk about it now.”She climbed back in the carriage.Without looking at Matthew, she said.“Please have the footman escort the children around.”She pulled off her gloves.“And would you be so kind as to give them a few coins for any baubles they might like.”Rose hadn’t forgotten she was a duchess.
Matthew blinked but did her bidding, then climbed in the carriage opposite her.
“I don’t do well with bees in bonnets,” he said firmly.“What is it that you are demanding?”
“I am demanding that you look to something other than your own interests.I may be your wife, but I have needs outside your bed.”
“You’re angry because I forgot to give you a few coins?”
“No, I’m concerned that you think you are the sole provider in our marriage.I am in possession of a large dowry from my father and my dower property with Sandhurst is very significant, entitling me to one-third of the free-hold lands.This is the law.You’ve said nothing.You, who are devoted to your paper and profits, haven’t given consideration that I must make proper claim to ensure my rights are protected.Cyril’s character could put me in jeopardy.And on top of that, I have to be embarrassed in public asking you for a few meager coins so I can shop with my daughters.”
Matthew leaned back.His face was expressionless, but she did not think he was angry.She hoped he wasn’t angry.
He waited a moment and she saw the working of his jaw before he sighed.“I accept my failure to provide funds for you and the girls when I promised to do so.It was an oversight on my part.”He leaned forward and took her hands.“But I need you to believe me when I tell you this, I know nothing about dowries or dower property.I have not heard of dower properties until today.And I’ve never known a woman with a dowry.Ever.I had no expectations from you entering this marriage and I’m sorry I took it for granted.
“So, let us exit the carriage and enjoy the excitement of the day.In the morning, you will travel with me to London, and we will visit my solicitor.Do you have any formal papers my—our—solicitor should look at?”
“All my personal documents are with my sister in Canterbury.”
“You’ve been worried for some time then?One doesn’t normally make defensive moves until there is a threat.”
“It wasn’t my idea.It was my husband’s.Several months before he died.He must have had a premonition about his death.And he gave me several thousand in gold coin.He said it didn’t need to be in the house.I don’t know what he thought I was going to do with it.”
“Also with your sister?”
She shook her head.“No.How did you think I could afford the arrangements with Madame DuPuis?Not that my husband would have approved of how I used the money.”Any time Alice DuPuis’ name entered a conversation, Rose had a squeamish feeling in her gut.What was true about Alice’s business and Rose’s purchased husband?What was a well-crafted lie?What was the hidden truth?Because she would bet the Isis Diamonds there was something significant she didn’t know about him.
“I guess I didn’t think about it.”He smiled then and squeezed her hands.“All right.Let us rearrange our schedule a bit.We will go to the solicitor after we visit your sister.I’m sure the papers will have more bearing on your situation than I might understand.Is that acceptable?”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“Rose, I can have a temper about injustice and lying.I can be hard when it comes to my business dealings.But you were only telling me what was true and that I had overlooked.If I am angry, it is at myself.”
She pulled one hand away and slid it up his leg, cupping softly around his cock.“I’ve heard it said that women deny sexual favors to their husbands when they are angry, or when their husband makes some dreadful mistake.”She smiled, one-sided and coquettish.“It makes me so happy I don’t have to deny myself pleasure in your bed for a month while I wait for you to apologize.”
He laughed loudly.“My God, you know how to train a man to do your bidding, don’t you?”
