Page 77 of Wickedly Yours
She pulled back on his arm and he let her go. Too quickly, she thought.
“Please, Malden,” she started unsteadily, “if you cannot forgive me, I…I will sign whatever you wish.” The words wrung from her painfully. “I will understand your choice.”
Rowan gave a snort of disbelief. “No, you won’t.”
“I can. It would be unfair to trap either of us in a marriage based only on our baser desires, a lack of trust and a mutual appreciation for correcting ledgers.”
“Baser desires?”
A slow burn of anger crawled up the length of her chest at his attitude. Anger was useful and gave her the illusion of power though her heart shattered with every word she spoke. “Or we can continue to live apart. I will find a house of my own to let. I have my own money,” she hastened to add. “You will not be required to support me.”
“I’m afraid I am not in agreement with your strategy.” He crossed his arms.
Arabella swallowed. He would not make this easy, but what did she expect? She’d shown up dressed in this extravagant gown to try to seduce her husband into forgetting what a terrible person shewas. It was incredibly unfair. She was changed. Could Rowan not see it?
“The Continent then. Or America. My cousin Spence is in India. I’ve always wished to visit.” A brittle laugh bubbled out of her. “See tigers and such.”
“Are you insane?” He stepped away from the tree and took hold of her arms as if he would shake her.
“Then what do you want me to do?” A sob left her.
“I am not here for my sister’s birthday, Arabella. I went to our home first and you, bloody contrary woman that you are, decided to attend a ball. Something you don’t particularly care for. The only thing more surprising would be if you’d attended the opera.” He pulled her close, encasing her in the warmth and security of his embrace.
A deep ragged breath came from her. “You came here to find me?”
“Bella,” he said softly. “I willalwayscome for you. No matter where you go. I’m only sorry it took me so long. And I have missed you desperately.”
She brushed at a tear. “I’ve done some rather unkind things motivated by my own anger at the world around me. I thought while in Wales I had come to terms with my jealousy and bitterness. But then Corbett…” She swallowed, remembering the fear of being trapped with him. “I should have told you. Trusted you with the very worst of myself, but I was so ashamed. “
“I know.” He kissed her gently. “You are not perfect, but neither am I. If we are to move forward, there must be no more secrets between us. No scheming or deceit.” His mouth hinted at a smile. “No dressing like a distressed swallow about to attend a funeral. And I will leave the country should I see even one braid gracing your head.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Can you live with my terms?”
Arabella nodded. “I am still unsure concerning the braids, but I can agree to everything else.”
“Good.” He kissed the tip of her nose, his eyes growing serious. “I was very lonely without you, Bella.” Placing her hand against his heart, Rowan whispered. “This only beats when you are near.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Take me home, Malden.”
Epilogue
Six months later
“Is there something you wish to tell me, Lady Malden?”
Arabella looked up from her ledger and stretched her neck. “Yes. This chair is terribly uncomfortable. I’m certain we can afford one whose springs are not about to push through the leather at any moment. How you sit here each day is beyond me.”
Rowan ignored her waspish tone. She wasn’t feeling well and refused to admit it.
She opened her mouth to say something else when her face turned a disturbing shade of green. The pen hovered over the ledger and as he watched, Arabella swallowed several times.
Rowan stood and went to the door to request tea.
“I do not believe I care for duck even though it is a favorite of yours.”
He moved to the sideboard and removed the chamber pot he’d discreetly hidden earlier. “I do not think it was the duck, Bella. You’ve been ill more than once in the last several weeks and can barely tolerate a carriage ride.”
Arabella narrowed her eyes at him. “Itisthe duck. You were driving too fast through the park which is why I became discomfited.
Discomfited. Rowan wanted to laugh out loud. He’d had to stop discreetly behind a tree while her breakfast came back up. He was concerned that Arabella didn’t wish to admit what was truly wrong with her. Was she not happy?
