Page 50 of Of Fate and Phantoms
"I feel nothing toward Leisl. I told you that."
"I don't believe you."
His body rose and fell with a silent heave of breath. "Go before I say something I regret."
Anger and frustration flared in the pit of my stomach, but I doused it. I wasn't going to win this battle today, and certainly not like this. I came up behind him and circled my arms around his shoulders. The engagement ring I'd flung back at him sat in its box, waiting for me to slip it on my finger. I'd promised him I would put it on when I'd decided to marry him. He must see it every day, a reminder of the mistake he'd made in sending me away.
I kissed the top of his head. I wasn't prepared to apologize for pushing him to speak to Leisl, but I wanted him to know that I harbored no ill will toward him over his refusal.
His body relaxed and he tipped his head back against my chest. "I don't want to fight with you," he murmured.
How could I remain angry with him after such a plea? "We won't."
"Promise you won't bring it up again."
"I can't make that promise."
He drew me around his side and sat me on his lap. He gave me an arched look. "Promise, Charlie."
"I cannot."
He regarded me closely. "What can I do or say to make you promise?"
I pulled away from him and frowned. "You mean you want to bribe me?"
"I wouldn't have put it like that, but yes."
Well then. If he wanted to use underhanded methods, then so would I. I nibbled my bottom lip and undid the second top button on his shirt since the top was already undone.
"There is something that I want, as it happens," I said in what I hoped was a seductive voice. "Something that you can give me to extract my promise." I popped open another button and kissed him lightly on the lips.
He broke the kiss. "What are you doing?"
"Being bribed."
I reached into the gap of his shirt and stroked the hard muscles of his chest. His heartbeat quickened against my palm. With my own pulse throbbing, I leaned closer and kissed his throat.
He plucked me off his lap and stood suddenly. The chair tipped with his violent shove, thumping on the floor. "That's not fair," he growled, his voice ragged. "You know I won't."
"And you've always played fair?"
He raked his fingers through his loose hair. "You win, Charlie."
"It's not about winning. It's about me not making a promise I can't keep." I went to do up one of his buttons, but he stepped to the side and did it up himself. Both of them.
"You have to go before I decide I can't wait."
I kissed my fingers then touched them to his cheek. "I'll leave you to your work."
He grunted and saw me to the door. He shut it between us, but not before I saw him drag his hand through his hair again.
* * *
We visitedLady Gillingham late in the afternoon. Lincoln had insisted on coming with me in case Lord Gillingham put up an argument. He sat beside me in the gently rocking coach, our shoulders bumping. He set a satchel on the other seat.
"We can't force our way in to see her," I said. "It's his house, and she must do as he says. If he forbids us to speak to her then we have to abide by his rules." I shook my head. "Men like him are beasts. I wish the law didn't state that women had to obey their husbands when they're being turds."
When Lincoln didn't respond, I glanced at him, only to see him watching me intently. "I would never forbid you to do or say anything, or to see anyone."
