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“What occurred with Datura—”
“As I said,” he interrupted, lightly rubbing my arms, “pay her no mind. Datura craves attention. She desires to make herself important. So she arrives unannounced whenever she is given the slightest opportunity and always with some wild excuse. It is better to ignore her than engage further.”
“But what is she after? Surely, she knows the crimes of her eldest son. Would she not seek to stay out of your path to avoid further conflict? Should Fitzwilliam—”
“She exists purely on conflict. They both do. They are nothing to worry about.”
“What did she mean by Mother—”
“I do not understand that woman, and I truly wish to stop speaking of her,” he said.
I fought the urge to press further.
“So, is the matter rectified?”
“No. I also told you I wished to deliver gifts to the tenants, and you nearly ordered me not to,” I replied, adding a little more space between us, though I should not have removed his clothing because I was fairly unnerved by him.
“I was merely looking to your safety.”
“Is it not your land? Your tenants? You may bring them into the house, but I am not free to walk among them?”
“The house and the grounds are full of those who can protect you. You walking through the village is another matter—”
“Then I am to remain in the house?” I questioned.
“There are gardens, the many meadows, along with—”
“I thought you wished not to move me from one cage to another?” I bit my lip to keep from yelling, seeking instead to speak calmly. “Or was the two weeks after our wedding my only reprieve? Now I will be kept inside as I was before, told it is for my safety!”
“I am not seeking to cage you—”
“ ‘When we are married, you will be free to be however it is you wish to be. I swear it.’ Were those not your words to me?”
He grinned. “You still recall that?”
“I recall everything you said to me, and I held it as truth.”
“If you wish so badly to go see the tenants, fine. Go.” He frowned and moved to the water basin.
The matter still felt unsettled, but I did not have the words. And watching him take the cloth to clean his neck was rather muddling my thoughts. I did not know whether to kick him or kiss him. And so I chose neither. I took off my dressing gown and got into bed, rolling onto my side and closing my eyes tightly.
“You are still upset?”
I did not answer him.
“I shall take that as yes.”
I sat up quickly now glaring at him. “You are frustrating me greatly.”
“Which type of frustration? As you now know, there are two types.” He smirked as he took off his breeches and drawers, but I kept my eyes on his face.
“Not the type you would prefer!”
“Have I not allowed you to see the tenants as you wished?”
“Allowed me.” Calm. I must remain calm. “Yes, Your Grace, thank you for your magnanimous gesture.”
“Is the sarcasm necessary?” He frowned, leaning against the bedpost, still very much naked.
