Page 100 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Emma’s cutlery clinked as she set her knife aside and took a bite of her toast. “You needn’t worry about that.”
They continued the discussion for a while longer. Vaughan focused on eating and didn’t attempt to contribute because he had no idea what in the hell they were talking about. When the meal was finished, he stood.
“Duchess, may I speak with you?” he asked as Emma rose.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
He headed straight into his office, where he stood, framed by the window.
“What is it?” Emma asked as she came in behind him.
He gazed through the window, over the green hills, and toward the blue horizon. It was a good day to travel. Perhaps he’d ride Trident some of the way.
“You and Violet are up to something,” he said, turning to face his wife. “What?”
Emma hesitated. “What makes you think we are?”
“You are behaving strangely.”
She grimaced and perched on the chair in front of his desk. “All right. I intended to discuss this with you now anyway.”
That sounded ominous.
“Discuss what?” he prompted.
She looked down at her hands, then back at him. “Generally speaking, have you enjoyed our interactions since we’ve been married?”
A kernel of dread formed in the pit of Vaughan’s stomach. Where was this going?
“Yes,” he said. “You know I am attracted to you and that I like you as a person.”
She pressed her lips together, turning them white for several seconds before she huffed out a breath. “Then won’t you at least consider the possibility of seeing whether love might grow between us? Or at least cohabitating with me on a trial basis?”
The dread in his gut dissipated, but frustration quickly took its place. There was no reason for this subject to be raised again.
“I’ve made my feelings on the matter clear,” he said. “I’ve never wavered. If you expect me to change, that is an error on your part.”
He strode to his desk and began adjusting several ledgers stacked on the corner so he wouldn’t have to see how she reacted to his words.He didn’t want to witness her pain.
“Do you still intend to leave soon after Violet and her husband do?” Her voice was crisp. She didn’t seem deflated by his rejection. At least, not that he could tell without looking at her.
“Yes,” he replied, just as crisply.
“And I may not accompany you?” There was a thin thread of hope in her voice.
“No.” He snapped that thread, hating himself for it even as he did.
“Hmm.” Her tone grew thoughtful. “Is that because I may be increasing, or is it because you simply don’t wish me to?”
At that, he glanced over. Her chin was raised defiantly, and those dark eyes of hers gleamed. Admiration rose within him at the silent challenge. Emma was a strong woman. Anyone who considered her sister superior was a fool.
“The possibility you may be carrying a baby factors into it,” he said truthfully. “But I believe that keeping our distance from each other will allow us to get some much-needed perspective. That’s the most important thing.”
“I understand.” She looked disappointed. “I would like to point out that we do not know for certain whether I’m increasing, and even if I am, many women travel this early in their confinement without issue.”
Vaughan inclined his head in acknowledgement. “As I said, that is only part of the equation.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
