AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I apologize for the interruption…
But you just stumbled upon a SECRET GIFT!
And if you download this book for free, you’ll get a ONCE ONLY opportunity to join my ARC group.
This means MORE GIFTS! Because you’ll be getting books of mine and other authors of the genre one week ahead of release and for FREE.
The only thing you need to do is use the link below and download the book!
I’ll reply in your inbox to let you know the details.
So, what do you think? Will you join me on this reading adventure? The clock is ticking…
Just click on the link!
CHAPTEREIGHT
Caroline stood at the door for a while after Alexander left. Although he had been polite, it had been very clear what he meant. There would be no relationship between them, and they would go about their duties ignoring each other unless absolutely necessary. If she needed anything, she was better off asking the servants than her husband.I might as well be a guest in my own household.
“No, I will not dwell on that. No point in being depressed on the first day of your new life, Caroline,” she muttered as she removed the pins from her hair, letting it drop down her back. It was not exactly like being a guest. As a guest she would not have power over the servants. The only thing that made her like a guest was how she could not approach the Lord. But that was not such a bad thing.
“At least he does not plan on sharing a room with me.” Caroline was aware that most of the couples in high society had different bedrooms, while her parents did not and she had always believed she would be like them; marry for love and share a room with her spouse. Now that all her dreams had been dashed, she would have to make new ones and find interests so as to maintain her sanity.
Her Lady's maid turned out to be a breath of fresh air, and Caroline was glad to have someone to talk to that could regale her with new stories and old gossip. She freshened up and met with the housekeeper to learn of her new household.
She wanted to feel prepared forthe next day and sinceshe didn't have anything better to do,her responsibilities were the perfect distraction. She was so immersed that she didn’t notice the time until a knock distracted her.
“It is almost time for dinner, my Lady,” Polly said, as she poked her head in through the door.
Caroline put the documents in her desk drawer and stood up. She noticed Polly giving her a strange look and wondered what was wrong. “What is it?” she asked.
“Ah, I was just thinking of how similar you and the Lord are. You both have been working.” Polly was walking in front of her, so she couldn’t see the way Caroline’s face contorted.
“I’m sure that the Lord has a lot more work than I do, which is why he is working so much. I, on the other hand, just wanted to do my part so that the work would not be so hard for you all working for me,” she said, keeping her voice level.
“You’re too kind, my Lady,” Polly said as she opened the door to the dining room, ushering her in. From the spread on the table, she could see just how much effort the servants had put into making dinner an enjoyable and warm affair. Smiling at Polly, she took her seat at the table. It was not long before a shadow was cast over her and she looked up to see her husband pass by her to take his place at the head of the table. The servants had placed her at his right. She would need to tell them to place her on the opposite end next time.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, madam. I assure you it was not my intention,” Alexander said, curt as ever, and took his seat.
Caroline nodded her head at him, in acknowledgment of his apology, not saying a word. Dinner was soon served, and she made it a point to thank the cook for the wonderful supper. Despite the hearty meal, the dining room was filled with a frigid atmosphere as the two ignored each other.
Caroline could not help wishing she were home. She missed the activeness of dinner there. Talking to her sisters as she ate, arguing about different topics, and bonding over things they enjoyed greatly. Other than his apology, a word had not passed between her and her husband, and she wondered if this was how it was going to be from now on.
After dinner, they both left the dining room, and it was only as Polly followed her to prepare her for the night that she remembered what was to come. Since Alexander had been so curt, she had forgotten that she would have to be intimate with him. Polly put her in the flimsy white nightdress her mother had packed for her, and left the room, excitedly wishing her a wonderful night.
A blush stained her cheeks despite herself. How would they even touch each other with how icy the air had been between them just now. She blushed deeper as the image of his hands on her skin filled her mind. Against her better judgment, she was imagining the things he had mentioned in his letter to Isabella. What would it feel like if he touched her like that? His kiss on her lips… his hands cupping the mounds of her breasts…
She slapped both hands against her cheeks hard, allowing the stinging pain to wipe the dirty thoughts off her mind.Have I gone mad?It was true that she still found him terribly attractive, but it did not mean she would enjoy his touch. He did not like her. She heard that in arranged marriages, sometimes the husband would appear drunk out of his mind and simply lay with his wife as he pleased, without consideration. If she were unlucky, he might still treat her the same even if he was sober. She did not want anyone to lay waste to her body like that. He had feelings for another woman, and while with her, would most likely be thinking of her. A shudder ran through her, and she sat on the bed, shivering.
Caroline waited with bated breath until it dawned on her that Alexander had no plans of gracing her bed. She felt equal parts relief and trepidation.So, he had no plans to disrespect me by thinking of another while with me, but even worse, he had no plans to touch me at all. I did not consider that he might hate me so much that he would not come.
Caroline did not understand her feelings. She was glad she did not have to bear his touch but at the same time she feared that this was what the rest of her life would look like with a man she did not love and who did not love her in return, so much that he was repulsed by the thought of her. If word of this got out, then she would be a laughingstock. She was glad that it was late, and no one was awake. Although she assumed the servants were trustworthy, none would know if he visited her in the dead of the night and left early.
Consoling herself with this, Caroline finally shut her eyes, allowing herself a fitful sleep.
….
The next morning found Caroline untouched. She sat up in bed with her face slightly swollen and her hair disheveled. Polly was readying her clothes for the day already and she gave Caroline a bright smile.
