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"The problem with Adele is that I can hardly evict her.' She became aware that Nick was speaking, his brows drawn together in a frown. 'As Ranald's widow, she's probably entitled to live at the Dower House for as long as she wants.' His frown deepened. 'I thought—I hoped—that once she stopped being lady of the manor she'd get bored out of her skull and move on. But no such luck.'
Cally pulled herself together, looking down at the golden gleam of her wedding ring. 'I gather she's strapped for cash.'
'She always was.' His mouth twisted. 'Maybe I should make her an offer she can't refuse.'
'Why not?' Cally went on staring at her ring, aware of its alien presence. 'It worked with me.'
His mouth twisted. 'With Adele, I lack quite the same leverage.' He'd finished his tea and was leaning back, long legs crossed. Completely at ease, it seemed. While she was in this unbelievable pain.
He said, 'I wondered, you see, after you'd gone, whether she could be part of the cause. If she'd said or done something to upset you. After all, there was no love lost between you. And I knew you were vulnerable—'
'Oh, spare me, please,' Cally broke in, her colour heightened hectically. 'Grandfather's death was hardly unexpected. The doctors warned us that the smoke inhalation—the stress of the fire—would probably lead to another stroke—and that it would be fatal.'
'Whether or not...' He paused. 'Cally, I know I shouldn't have left you alone like that, so soon after the wedding, but it was an emergency. Mrs Bridges was supposed to tell you that—to explain that I had to go out. I had no choice in the matter.'
Don't lie to me, she begged silently. It's too late for that. Because I know where you were. I went there. I heard you. Dear God, I saw you. With her.
'Cally.' Nick was leaning forward, his face serious. 'You're a million miles away. Please listen to me, because there's something I have to tell you. I—owe you an explanation.'
'No.' The word exploded out of her, and she saw the shock in his face, 'I mean—there's absolutely no need to say anything,' she went on, her tone hard and bright. "Then or now. As they say—never apologise, never explain. And it's all fine—really. In fact, it was a blessing. As I said, it gave me a breathing space—a chance to reconsider what I'd done.' She gave a little laugh. 'Rather like being reprieved from a life sentence. So you did me a favour.'
His mouth hardened. 'Only now the shackles are once again in place. Is that what you're saying?'
'Your words,' she said. 'Not mine.'
'And you really don't want to hear what I have to say?'
'If I'd cared,' she said, with a shrug. 'I'd have been here when you got back.'
'Oh God,' he said with a kind of savage weariness. 'Cally, can we stop this and start behaving sanely.'
"This is hardly a rational situation.'
"Then let's make it one,' he said with sudden urgency. 'Let's wipe out the past twelve months as if they never existed. We're here—together—and we're married. Can't that be all that matters?' He paused. 'Besides, I have a wedding present for you.'
'A wedding present?' she echoed derisively. 'At the risk of sounding ungracious, I think I'll pass.'
He was very still. "The bridegroom's gift to the bride,' he said slowly. 'It's a tradition.'
She lifted her chin defiantly. 'You're big on those, suddenly. But it makes no difference. Your generosity tends to come with too high a price tag, Sir Nicholas.'
He was silent for a long moment, his eyes narrowed. He said quietly, 'You don't even want to know what it is—my gift? You've no wish to see it?'
'None.' She took a swift breath. 'Can't you see I want nothing from you? Don't you understand that the only thing of value you could give me is my freedom—and the absolute certainty that I'll never have to see you again? But I doubt that's on offer.'
'Not immediately.' His voice was harsh. 'However, I can probably arrange matters so that we only meet in bed. Perhaps that might make your sentence easier to bear. Although we will have to share occasional meals,' he went on. 'Starting with dinner tonight, which I've arranged for eight-thirty. And you, my sweet wife, will sit at my dining table and pretend to enjoy the special food that Margaret is preparing. And, to enter fully into the spirit of the occasion, you will wear your wedding dress, which you'll find with the rest of your things upstairs in the dressing room.
'And that's not a request,' he added swiftly, as her lips parted in protest. 'It's an order.'
There was a corrosive note in his voice that frightened Cally.
This was a dynamite situation, she realised, and she hadn't handled it well.
'And now I'll respect your wishes and leave you in peace, to enjoy your own company.' He got to his feet. 'As usual, there's some work I should do. After all, I need to work harder, don't I, darling? Earn more money now that I have a wife to support and the prospect of a child.'
