Page 20 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“Did you make the trip all the way here simply to mock me or did you need something?”

“Mostly to mock you. And to make sure you actually spend some time with your new wife.”

“Of course I did. We rode the carriage home together then had dinner.”

“Is that it?”

“I had things I needed to do. You know I’m a rather busy man. Honestly, I have no idea how I let you talk me into this.”

“It wasn’t as hard to do as you like to pretend. Whether you want to admit it or not, the simple fact of the matter is that you want more company than me and your staff.”

“Are you admitting that you are poor company? You don’t need to be so hard on yourself.”

“I am going to let that go since it is your wedding day.”

“And so that you can continue to ask countless questions about her.”

“You seem perfectly capable of counting all of my questions.”

“Just ask them so we can get this over with.”

“Why are you alone in your office?”

He sighed. “I’m sure she’s relieved I’m gone. We both know I’m not the easiest to get along with.”

“So you claim.”

“Because it’s true.”

“You have no concept of what you’re like as a person, do you?”

William rolled his eyes. “It is hardly the first time you have said as much, but you have yet to explain it.”

“I have. You just don’t listen.”

“That doesn’t sound like me.”

Patrick just grinned at him. “How long did you last into the dinner before you made your escape?”

“I’ll have you know I had the whole meal with her,” he scowled.

“Really? You sat there until both of you had finished eating?”

He looked away, “Well, not quite. You see, she was taking quite some time, but I stayed until I was done eating.”

“Why couldn’t you wait?”

“I had things I needed to work on.”

Patrick laughed. “Because heaven forbid you take a rest on your wedding day.”

“What was I supposed to do all day?”

“Spend time with her? Get to know the person you have agreed to spend the rest of your life with.”

“I doubt she would want that.”

“You don’t think she would want a chance to get to know the man she married?”

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