Page 36 of The Duke and the Scarred Bride

“You know enough,” he said, not looking at her as he cut his meat into small cubes.

“Only what is available to the public,” she argued. She was getting upset for finding herself arguing more often than she liked. “I should be able to say more about you to anyone who asks than what they already know.”

“That is unnecessary.”

“It is not.”

“I highly doubt anyone would be so curious about me.”

“Then you do not know the ton as well as you think.”

“I do. I just choose not to become fodder for gossip.”

“You will end up as fodder for gossip if I’m asked questions and find myself unable to answer.”

“Where do you think one might ask such questions?”

“At the next ball we’ll attend,” she answered. “You do remember that I have agreed to help smoothen your re-entry into Society.”

He shot her an icy look, but she was undeterred.

“You should sheathe your claws,wife,” he warned. “You’re in no danger here.”

But she highly doubted that and told him as much.

He barked out a laugh, shocking her and everyone else in the room. He coughed to hide it, before schooling his features. She would have felt glad that she had succeeded in making him laugh, but she wanted him to take her seriously.

“What would you like to know?”

His concession shocked her, but she masked it with a smile.

“Everything.”

She knew he would only answer questions that didn’t pertain to his private life or past, and she had kept her questions shallow but still intimate enough that no one would think them anything but a happy couple.

“Have I satisfied you?” he drawled.

He had asked that question so innocently, but his words brought a warm blush to her face.

“Indeed,” she replied. “The Ritkins’ ball in two days would find us sufficiently prepared.”

He nodded, and she rose, hoping to retire early.

“Where are you going,wife?” he asked, a teasing twinkle in his eyes even though his expression was still blank. “The deal was that we would share a meal, and I assumed you intended to feed me with your hands. Imagine my disappointment. But no matter, I took it upon myself to cover your shortcomings.”

“I didn’t think you the sort to take words so literally.”

“I’m not usually, but when it comes to you, I find that there’s really no hidden meaning behind your words.”

“Does that mean you trust everything I say?” she dared to ask.

“Not entirely.” His tone was playful, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he was flirting with her.

“In what instances would you trust me, then?”

“I cannot exactly say, but I would know when.”

“That is overconfident,” she pointed out, shaking her head and folding her arms across her chest.

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