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Once alone, Percival sighed. “This outing isn’t a trick or something you need to pay for.”
“Then what is it?” She’d been annoyed with and wary of him since they’d married, for he was an arse if alcohol was involved, but she wouldn’t stroke his ego—or anything else—until he’d accepted his life as it was now and started making a go of it.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s naught but a drive in Hyde Park with my daughter. For goodwill, to take in the fresh air, and a chance for the two of you to interact—the three of us I should say.” When he met her gaze, his shoulders slightly drooped. Sadness and confusion warred for dominance in his eyes. “You’ll not be in my debt, nor do I expect anything from you. I refuse to engage in tit for tat, and neither am I angry any longer.”
Well, that was news. “I see.” When had he made that decision? The fact that he had took her by surprise. “You are reconciled to this new life then?”
“I am… growing used to it.”
She nodded. “As am I. Thank you for allowing me to meet your daughter. However, be advised. You might have your hands full when she’s older.”
“I worry about that daily.” His grin was almost nonexistent, but at least it was there. For the space of a few heartbeats, they stared at each other with odd tension brewing between them. “Uh, well, if you don’t wish to go with Deborah and me…”
Attempting to decipher his mood and meaning proved too difficult. “Do you not want to be seen in society with me as your wife?” They may as well discuss what was uppermost in her mind. Perhaps it might put his at ease as well.
“What?” His dark eyebrows shot into his hairline. “No, of course that’s not true.” Percival rubbed one of his temples. Was it another megrim that plagued him or something else? “I’m a man of my word… at least I’m trying to be.” A slight flush had overtaken his neck and cheeks. “That being said, I stand by what’s happened.”
“I thought as much.” It was no less surprising to hear it spoken aloud. And quite the change for this previously arrogant man. Could she dare hope circumstances would soon improve?
He gave her a curt nod. “You are my wife.” Was that for his benefit or hers? A muscle in his cheek twitched. No, he hadn’t let go all the anger, but it was more than she’d had three days ago. “We both need to square with that as well as each other.”
“Some of us more than others,” she replied with a fair amount of sarcasm in her voice, and then immediately regretted it when annoyance flashed over his features. “I apologize. That wasn’t well done of me.”
“Think nothing of it. The transition will take some time.”
“Perhaps.” With a frown, she peered more closely at him. Traces of pain shadowed his face. “Do you suffer from another megrim?”
“Yes.”
Throughout their history together, this had never been a health concern. “When was the last time you had a drink?”
He shrugged, but he didn’t drop his gaze. “Last night.”
“Are you being truthful?” For him, that was a long stretch without letting alcohol dull the way he reacted to anything in life.
“Fuck it.” His expression shifted and he scowled. “Not since this morning, before Lord Randolph paid me a visit.”
“That sounds about right.” Lavinia sighed. “You must do better, Laughton.”
“I know, and as I said, I’m trying.” He growled. The man actually growled at her, as if he were a bear in a circus. “My name is Percival, or Percy if you must shorten it. My title reminds me of our former times together, so please refrain from its use in the privacy of our home.”
Our home. They were making progress if he’d already changed his thinking. Despite that, her lower jaw dropped slightly open. “You wish me to call you by your Christian name.” It wasn’t a question, and very rarely had she done so in the year they’d been together.
“Yes, of course.”
She nodded. “Very well.” Continuing to stare at him, she suddenly had no idea what to say. “I appreciate the concession… Percival. Being a countess feels a rather daunting task, but somehow if the two of us tackle it together, I can digest it in smaller chunks.”
“Do you promise you’ve retired from your previous life?”
Well, that certainly smacked of an accusation, but she ignored it. He was merely out of sorts due to the megrim. “I have.”
Again, the muscle in his cheek ticced. “You will be faithful to me?”
“You wish to have this conversation now, when your daughter is waiting downstairs?” she asked in a voice that sounded tired to her own ears. At his nod, she offered a tight smile. “Of course I will. I am a woman of my word, but I also expect the same from you. At no time during the course of our marriage will you take a mistress. If you want fidelity from me, I expect it from you.”
Those were unmovable terms. Which was ironic considering what she used to be.
“Agreed.” The space between them fairly crackled with friction. Then he gave his head a shake. “Let us take that drive. Perhaps upon our return, you could brew me a pot of that willow bark tea?”
