Page 83 of Courting Claudia

“I see.” He took three deep breaths before he continued. “And what did you discuss?”

She didn’t want to lie to him, yet she didn’t want to tell him that her father suspected him of Richard’s murder. She didn’t see any reason to fuel their hatred of each other. “He’s still not accepted our marriage. He asked me to come home.” She placed her hat on her dressing table and the pins in the crystal bowl.

He laughed a humorless laugh. “And what did you tell him?”

She turned to face him. “I told him no. That I was your wife, and I belonged with you.”

He nodded, clearly approving her response. “Did he have anything else to say?”

“Only that he missed me and needed me. Which is odd, considering he’s never been an affectionate man. I assume it was the drink that made him act so peculiar. I had a bath drawn for him and instructed the staff to make him eat and rest. I will check on him tomorrow.”

“No.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said no. I don’t trust the man. I don’t believe he has your best interests at heart, and I can’t help but think, with his new attitude toward you, he has an ulterior plan.”

“So it is unfathomable that he might have realized he loves me and needs me after I left his life?”

“That’s not what I said. Nor what I meant.” He led her to the chair and brought her down on his lap once he sat. “I don’t want you harmed.”

“He would never hurt me.”

“You know that for certain? Has he ever struck you?” He began removing the hairpins that secured her coiffure.

“No.”

“What about your mother?”

“Not that she ever admitted, but I was always suspicious.”

“If a man can strike one woman, he can strike another. Drinking can bring out the worst in a person.”

Her hair fell about her shoulders in a wave. Not having her hair tightly bound to her head relieved a throbbing pressure she hadn’t noticed before. “I suppose that makes sense. Well, then what do you propose I do? I cannot very well desert him. He was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen him.”

Derrick’s fingertips rubbed her aching scalp. “I don’t care for your father, we’ve established that, but I know you will hate me if I ask you to walk away from him. In the future I will accompany you to see him.”

“That will not work.”

“Why not?”

“Because he will not allow you in his house. Told me so this afternoon.”

“Bloody hell he won’t. Either he will see both of us, or he will not see you. That’s the rule.”

“Derrick, he’s my father. How can you be so unreasonable?”

“I’m not being unreasonable. I’m being cautious. I need for you to trust me on this. I’m not trying to imprison you. I want to investigate all possible avenues regarding Richard’s death.”

“And you think my father is a potential avenue?”

“I’m simply not ruling him out. Your father and Richard were more than acquaintances. Arguments happen.”

“Well, I’ll have you know he said the same thing about you this afternoon. It’s so nice to be caught between my husband and father while they toss ludicrous accusations at each other, as if their words have no consequences. Neither of you acknowledges that my heart is in the middle of your childish dispute.”

“He suggested to you that I killed Richard?”

“Yes.”

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