Page 35 of The Duke and the Scarred Bride

“I assure you, he wasn’t always like that.” Anne laughed. “He was already a young man when I came to live here with my mother, but he was still mischievous. It wasn’t until his father passed and his brother inherited the title that they both matured.”

Louisa nodded in understanding. “Did he join the army immediately after his father’s passing?”

“No, Your Grace,” Anne answered. “He had already gone through training, but he volunteered for active service after his brother inherited the duchy.”

Louisa nodded again and wiped her palms on the skirt of her dress. “Do not find it burdensome that I ask such questions. I only wish to know a little bit more about my husband so I know how to serve him.”

“I do not find it so, Your Grace,” Anne was quick to reassure her. “I do not mind your questions. If you hadn’t asked, I might have been hard-pressed to tell you.”

They shared a laugh.

“I believe I am sufficiently late enough to make an entrance,” Louisa announced.

“Indeed.” Anne smiled mischievously. “I want to see His Grace’s reaction, but my mother would scold me for being nosy.”

“I will cover you.” Louisa gave her a wink. “Walk with me.”

As they walked towards the dining room, Anne pointed out some parts of the manor that Louisa hadn’t visited yet, and she made a mental note to do so the next day.

“We should decide what the best approach should be,” Percival’s voice greeted her as she approached the dining room.

Her heart was beating a staccato in her chest as she watched for his reaction.

Her effort, apparently, was fruitful, for the second she stepped into the dining room, his eyes widened a slight fraction, showing that she had indeed shocked him. But he was quick to school his features into a blank mask.

She didn’t take offense that he hadn’t commented on her gown when his façade had cracked upon seeing her. That was a worthy enough reaction that had her blushing as she was helped into her seat by Tobias.

“Good evening, husband,” she greeted. “I trust your day was pleasant?”

She said it as a question, hoping they could at least converse as they ate, considering that she had all but forced him to have dinner with her. She was impressed that he had honoured their agreement and hoped she wouldn’t do anything to push him away.

He murmured a response but didn’t look at her, and she wondered if he was perhaps upset with her. She also noticed that her place setting had been moved further up the table such that she was sitting beside him, and she wondered who was responsible for it.

“My day was pleasant,” she continued as she unfolded her napkin and laid it on her lap. “I hope you enjoy the menu I came up with today. You could use a change in your diet.”

He didn’t say anything, and she frowned as her ire flared. Why had he come if he was going to be stubborn about it?

“If you would rather starve yourself in your study, then be my guest. But if you’re going to sit at this table with me, then I expect you to keep your sour mood outside the room so I can enjoy my meal in peace,” she sniffed, setting down her cutlery with more force than she had intended.

She noticed Tobias’s proud look and felt emboldened to scold her husband further if he didn’t listen to her.

“You’ve grown claws since we got married,wife,” Percival muttered darkly. “I cannot say I like it.”

“If you insist on being stubborn, it is only necessary that I play your game.”

She saw a muscle in his jaw tick as he fought a smile and nodded.

“I concede this argument, then,” he said. “I will do my best to make this meal pleasant for you.”

“Good.” She nodded.

She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly, and now that he had, she didn’t know what to say. He raised an eyebrow at her in question, and she flushed as embarrassment flooded her. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Her only focus had been on seducing him that night.

She really did need help, but who could she ask?

The question would be too embarrassing to ask, and even though her sisters would answer, she didn’t think she could stomach any more of their lectures.

“I’ve realized that I know nothing about your life,” she stated suddenly, trying to break the tension that had fallen over them.

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