Page 8 of Provoked

“How the hell am I to find anyone even faintly respectable to marry you now, Kitty? What possessed you to drag yourself down like that?”

The genuine bewilderment beneath his irritation only made her head hurt. “I don’t want to get married,” she stated sadly, with a small sigh. She’d said this before many times over, but he never heard her.

“Why on earth not? What else are you going to do with your life?”

She turned her head to stare out the window at the passing countryside. It was dull, just like her life. She didn’t bother answering Rafe. What was the point?

At some point, the very boringness of the journey caused her to drift off to sleep. She woke some time later as the carriage slowed to a stop. Her head was nestled on Rafe’s shoulder. The superfine of his coat jacket was smooth beneath her cheek. She jerked up, embarrassed by her own unconscious behavior and distracted them both by looking out the window to determine their location. It didn’t look familiar in the slightest. “Where are we?”

“The charming village of Lower Pigsbottom,” the duke responded dryly.

Kitty nodded in acknowledgement still peering out the glass. “But why?”

“Because, my charming ward, I have a house here. And unlikeGreenwood, this village has no stables, no coaching house within fifteen miles. It’s landlocked and generally makes it much less likely that you can attempt another escape.” His exasperation with what he perceived as her antics colored every word. “You will stay here until I can be convinced of your continuing good behavior.”

Kitty closed her eyes in dismay. So she was to be a prisoner. But what kind of prison was she to inhabit? There didn’t appear to be any lights at whatever establishment they were at. “Did you tell them you were coming?”

“It was a last-minute decision. Carter is informing the housekeeper now.”

Kitty rolled her eyes, unaware that her expression was visible to the duke in the window reflection.

“Something amiss, Kitty?” he asked dryly.

“Everything,” she answered mournfully. Her eyes narrowing when she caught the twitch of his lips in the reflection this time. He was laughing at her.

My heart is in my throat as I turn the page. That duke is insufferable. I love him to pieces. And so does Kitty, but she just won’t admit it yet. I sigh happily as I finish the chapter and set the book aside. The casserole is delicious, full of mushrooms and chicken, but I got distracted by the story so it’s cooled down considerably. I debate going downstairs to warm it up, but I don’t think I’ll survive another confrontation with Justin tonight. I eat the remaining few bites efficiently and then stand to move the tray and go brush my teeth. I curse under my breath because my leg has stiffened while I was reading. I half limp, half hop into the bathroom, hoping against hope that everything will be back to normal in the morning.

6

Two days later and I’m ready to tear my hair out at Justin’s high handedness. He made me call Danvers to cancel our shopping trip because my leg is still swollen. Do you know how impossible it is to doanythingwith your leg elevated? I can read or watch television but I don’t want to do either. I want to unpack boxes, cook in my new kitchen, and basically revel in finally having my own place.

Justin put a stop to that immediately. If I’m not in bed or on the tufted couch in the living room, then he’s carrying me from one to the other. All because I made the mistake of telling him my leg felt worse the following morning. He hasn’t yelled once, though. He gets this strange look in his eye when he’s about to, but something changes his mind at the last second. His lips narrow into delightful arrogance and his nostrils flare, just like the arrogant duke, but that’s it. It makes me suspicious and honestly I almost prefer the yelling. Not quite, but almost.

Things between us feel like they’re at an impasse. I know he hasn’t changed, not really. He’s been on excellent behavior, but I simply don’t trust that it will last for too much longer. And he’s too much of a city type to ever feel at home in Montana. Maybe that’s why he always seems slightly on edge? He’s going to leave soon. He said so when he got here, so I’m waiting for that shoe to drop so I can get over him all over again.

I know, I know. Other than taking care of me without complaining (except for when I try to avoid said care) he’s hardly shown himself to be someone deserving of love. But maybe that’s it. He’s soalone. I think if Justin had someone who loved him unconditionally and with her whole heart, he might just turn out to be a different person entirely.

I’m not stupid enough to think I can make that happen, though. But as long as it’s not Margot, the bitchy redhead, maybe I’d be able to be happy for him if he found love with someone else. A nice woman who wouldn’t put up with his arrogance, but would ground him. With a kiss and a kind smile. Like… like… I can’t think of any woman I’ve met who matches that criteria. Frowning, I sit up just as Justin brings my lunch tray.

“Justin?”

He raises an inquiring eyebrow as he sets the tray on the nightstand.

“Do you know any women that don’t put up with you being bossy?”

His brow furrows in thought. “Bossy how? I am the boss in the office so…”

“No, out of the office. Anyone that doesn’t put up with your shit?”

His beautiful lips curve into a smirk before he replies. “Yes, two.”

I take in a shuddery breath. Two is hopeful. I only need one.

“Who?” I ask breathlessly.

He rolls his eyes. “Kathy, my housekeeper, and…” He widens his eyes dramatically. “You!”

He’s chuckling as he departs, missing my frown of disappointment. Kathy won’t do. She’s lovely but about twenty years older than him and ready to retire to the beach. I don’t know her well because she didn’t live in, but she seemed nice the few times I met her. And obviously I won’t do because Justin can’t stop bossing me around. But really that’s it? Everyone else goes along with him or pretends to? I think back to Margot sneering at him when she didn’t think either of us would notice. Yeah, I guess Justin’s world is filled with women like her. Maybe he is better off alone if that’s the alternative.

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