Page 24 of A Cursed Bride for the Duke
“I promise you, my sweetheart, I do not bite. Also, you did tell me that you are not afraid of me,” he reminded her, his voice a silky caress that sent a shiver down her spine.
He did not want to frighten her—that had never been his intention. But he had noticed that with each passing day, she was becoming more distant and guarded around him. A subtle strain would inevitably materialize between them whenever they were together in the same room.
Genevieve’s unflinching gaze met his, and she shrugged in response to his statement.
“Firstly, I am not yoursweetheart, and secondly, I am not afraid of you,” she replied, her voice steady and cold.
“Then why do you continue to avoid me on a daily basis?” Wilhelm inquired with obvious frustration, his eyes searching her face for answers. “Why is it that every time I enter a room, you flee to the next? What is it that you are running from?”
Genevieve’s lips tightened, and a flicker of annoyance crossed her features. “There is a difference between fear and wariness,” she retorted, not looking away from him. “Your Grace.”
Taken aback by her unexpected response, Wilhelm furrowed his brow. “Wariness?” he repeated, now utterly intrigued. “Of what, precisely?”
Genevieve lifted her chin, her gaze unwavering as her voice sliced through the space between them.
“Please, you are clever enough to understand what I am wary of,” she retorted with a quiet fury. “I have been staying in your home for days, yet you remain silent. You have failed to provide me with reasonable explanations for this so-called union.”
Oh, she is not scared. She is angry at me.
The thought ignited a burst of heat and energy that felt like fireworks exploding in his chest.
Wilhelm pressed his lips together to suppress a broad smile.
“Ourhome,” he gently corrected. “And as for explanations, perhaps they are best savored slowly, like fine wine.”
Genevieve’s annoyance flared. “I have told you many times, Your Grace, that I am not a woman who appreciates prolonged anticipation,” she said, blinking and grimacing in obvious impatience. “I prefer efficiency, clarity, and transparency.”
Wilhelm chuckled, unable to help himself. “Patience is a virtue, Duchess,” he countered, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “And one that I believe you would do well to cultivate.”
“I have little patience for games, Your Grace,” she declared. “Especially when I cannot avoid them. Since our marriage is obviously based on one, I demand answers, and I am not prepared to grow old waiting for them.”
“Demand, Duchess?” he said, a playful lilt in his voice. “You are forgetting your place. Thatdemandviolates the terms of our marriage.”
Genevieve’s cheeks flushed with anger. She clenched and pulled on her shawl so forcefully that it shifted and exposed her hips.
Wilhelm forced himself not to give in to temptation and let his eyes wander down her body to the thin fabric that covered her generous breasts.
I wonder if her nipples are hard.
“You assured me that I was free to ask for whatever I want, so I am asking you to tell me the truth. I am not a child to be patronized,” she huffed in indignation. “I am your wife, and I deserve your respect and cooperation.”
“I understand your frustration with my reticence.” He tried to keep his voice low and soothing. “I assure you, there are valid reasons for my secrecy.”
Curiosity quickly replaced Genevieve’s anger. She blinked, her long lashes gently brushing her cheeks, and she inclined her head questioningly.
“And what are those reasons?” she said slowly.
Wilhelm shook his head. “I fear that I cannot divulge my reasons yet.” He paused, his gaze unwavering. “But I promise you, Duchess, in time, all will be revealed.”
At Wilhelm’s secretive words, Genevieve’s hands balled into fists, and her nails dug into her palms. Her breathing quickened, and a muscle in her jaw ticked as she fought to maintain a neutral expression.
She looked towards the door, but her feet remained rooted in place.
The distance between them thrummed with a sharp crackle of mutual restraint. Genevieve’s chest rose and fell with frustration, and it became increasingly difficult for Wilhelm not to glance down at it.
“I have had more than enough of your vagueness, Your Grace,” she said through gritted teeth, the words escaping before she could stop them.
She turned on her heel with an annoyed huff and began to walk away from him, but Wilhelm’s hand shot out, seized her waist, and pulled her back.
