Page 60 of Harpy of the Ton
She glared at the child. “Iamtalking sense,Jonathan.”
“That’s settled, then,” Lawrence said. “Children, go find your shoes.”
The children scrambled out of the parlor, yelling and laughing.
Bella pressed her hand against her forehead. The pains that had tormented her since her accident had lessened, but a dull ache throbbed behind her eyes. But there was no use tellinghimthat—he seemed to think her sole purpose was to serve him.
Isn’t that what any husband expects of his wife?
For a brief moment, the memory of her dream broke through—a portly man dressed in finery, with sour breath and a spiteful disposition, his lust-filled eyes small in his fleshy face…
“Bella!”
She startled and stared at the clear-eyed man before her. Uncouth beast he may be, but there was an honesty in his roughness. He carried no pretense at finery. No—his uncouthness was on display, rudely invading her consciousness.
“Are you all right?”
He moved closer, his body filling the space—the same body that had held her close when she woke from her nightmare. Itwas the body of a laborer—a beast—built for toil. Yet, in that briefest of moments, it had been capable of such tenderness.
She must have married him for a reason. Had he wooed her with offerings of courtship and stolen kisses?
He reached toward her, but, fighting the need to be in those strong arms, she pushed him back.
“Yes, I’m all right.”
“Good.” He nodded, and the tenderness in his eyes disappeared. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”
“What for?”
“The list.”
“If you think I’d thank you for such a…” she began, but he raised his hand.
“No man wants a harpy for a wife,” he said. “Remember your vow of obedience.”
She dipped into a mock curtsey. “Thank you,husband,” she sneered.
He laughed. “Oh, Bella—you always were a handful! I’ll take the words, but not the manner in which they were spoken. But mind you get those chores done.”
“Will you beat me if I don’t?” she challenged.
Hunger flared in his eyes. “I rather relish the prospect of taking you over my knee—as I’m sure you do, you insatiable wanton.” He licked his lips, and she caught her breath at the wicked little pulse of pleasure deep inside her body.
“A-an insatiable wanton?” she said, her voice tight.
“That’s my Bella,” he said, grinning. “And there are few women who can measure up to your skills when it comes to pleasin’ me.”
Ugh.
He chuckled and stepped closer. “That’s something we can explore later,” he said, licking his lips. “But now, let us seal our bargain with a kiss.”
Her stomach fluttered with anticipation—then, with a clatter of footsteps and a cacophony of shrieks, the children returned.
“Take good care of that list, Bella, love,” her husband said. “I can’t be wasting paper writing out another one. Come on, children—say goodbye to your mother.”
“Goodbye, Mama!” they chorused.
They exited the parlor, and she heard the front door open and shut, their footsteps and voices fading into the distance.
