Page 64 of Duchess By Accident
“You are my wife in name alone. And I have let you grow far too comfortable with me.” He loomed over her, his own eyes narrowed; his voice was a dangerous hiss.
She felt as though he had slapped her, and recoiled from him. His words echoed in her head, fuelling her anger.
“You have let me? You do not control me.” She took a step away from him, a disgusted look on her face. “Or is that what this is about? You cannot control me, so now you think to control my brother?”
She should have known. Of course, he would still seek to control everything. Why would he not try and control her brother?Well, he shall soon learn.
“They will not marry.” Adrian said. “I do not want her in my life.”
“That is not your decision to make!” Natalie jabbed him in the chest. “I thought… Curse me for a fool, I thought perhaps…”
She did not want to say what she thought. Did not want to admit that some part of her had begun to open up to him, begun to genuinely enjoy being with him.I have been an idiot.
“You thought what, exactly, little thief?” Adrian canted his head towards her.
“I do not understand. What are you doing?” Confusion ripped through her, cutting through the anger and sadness. “It feels like you are building some kind of wall to keep me at bay. Like you are pushing me from you.”
He stiffened. “I am reminding you of who I am. You told me you wanted Adrian, not the Devilish Duke. This is Adrian. I am not some soft-hearted fool who will give into his every whim.”
“No, you are a calculating, cold, hard-headed martinet.” Natalie bit her lip.
“And that surprises you? You knew who I was when you came to my home. That was why you sought me out.” Adrian shook hishead. “I have never hidden the truth from you. You know who I am.”
Understanding dawned on her. His anger, his strange insistence that Lady Isabelle be kept from his life. Had she gotten too comfortable too? Had he discarded her when she no longer entertained him?He is a rake.
Natalie’s eyes widened. “And Lady Isabelle? Does she know who you are? Is that why you do not wish her to be in your life? Did she get too close to you and now you must cast her aside.”
Adrian laughed mirthlessly. “I have grown complacent, I let your little rebellions distract me too much and now I have paid the price. If I had not indulged you so-”
“- indulged me? I am not some child.” Natalie’s fists were clenched, venom tinging every one of her words.
She shook with anger and embarrassment. She wanted to shake him, to hit him. She wanted him to hold her and tell her that she was wrong, and she hated that she wanted that.
He gave her a mocking smile. “You are behaving like one.”
“I do not understand.” Natalie shook her head, hugging her arms around herself. “Why are you being like this?”
“I am what I am. And I have let the terms of our agreement stretch far enough.” He gestured to the waiting carriage. “Wewill salvage your reputation, and then we will leave this place. And you will learn your place.”
“And what place is that?” She spat at him. “I thought I had already taught you that I will not be your plaything. I will not be controlled.”
“We had an agreement. Or have you forgotten that?” Adrian turned away from her shaking his head. “You are here for Melody. You are a mother.”
“And what about us? What about this?” she gestured between them. “I thought we were…”
“We were what?” He rounded on her, eyes full of a dark emotion.
She swallowed, but refused to step away. “Friends.”
“Is that all?” he asked, his face once more hidden in shadows.
“What else would there be?” she whispered.
“I am done with this conversation.” He backed away from the carriage.
“Are you not coming?” Natalie’s heart sunk.
“No. I think I will walk home. Perhaps then I will get some peace and quiet.” He closed the carriage door, and walked away.
