Page 34 of A Marriage Most Convenient

“Surely you can feign a smile for your husband after dancing with every other man in the room,” he snapped.

His anger shocked her. “Well, at least now I know you’re aware of my existence.”

“What the devil does that mean? Were you intentionally trying to make me look like a fool out there? Flaunting yourself with all your other men? Charlotte, I realize you don’t seem to care too much for your reputation,” he said through his teeth. “But I certainly didn’t sacrifice my freedom and happiness to protect your reputation, only to have you demolish mine.”

She sucked in a breath, hating that tears pricked her eyes. Damn him for knowing how to hurt her.

“I believe I feel a headache coming on. I’ll take the carriage home.” Then she turned and left him standing on the ballroom floor. He caught up with her a breath later, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, playing the dutiful and concerned husband.

He made their excuses as they left the ballroom, ladening his voice with such worry as to express his affection.

Nausea swirled through her stomach, and she couldn’t wait to get away from his touch. How had this happened to her life? How had one seemingly innocent kiss derailed her entire existence, ruining not only her life, but Edmond’s as well. Because that was the truth of the matter. He was right, he’d sacrificed everything to salvage her reputation, and she’d thanked him by behaving like a spoiled child. Stomping her feet around to get his attention.

Something had to change. She wasn’t entirely certain what, but she knew something did, before they were both completely miserable.

CHAPTER 14

Edmond stared at the darkness of the carriage and knew he needed to say something. She was crying. He’d made Charlotte cry. Again. He was a damned monster.

“Charlotte,” he said.

She sniffed. “Please don’t.”

The carriage rolled to a stop and Charlotte bolted out of it, nearly falling as she clambered to get away from him.

He ran after her, finally catching her as they reached the entryway. He pulled her into the study. “Charlotte, please at least allow me to apologize for what I insinuated.”

She whirled around to face him, her eyes flaring with anger. “You insinuated nothing, Edmond, you merely accused me of having affairs and doing so with no discretion at all.”

“I insulted you.”

She barked out a laugh. “Honestly, you are daft sometimes.” She reached over and smacked him on the chest. “Damnation, but you make me so angry. I’ve never struck another person before, and you’ve incited me to violence on more than one occasion, I believe.” She exhaled slowly. “Allow me to remind you that I stood next to you in front of our families and friends, and pledged to be faithful to you. I don’t know what I’ve done to make you believe so poorly of me, but it does make me wonder why in the hell you offered to marry me when you clearly believe me capable of such wretched things.”

“I never said I thought you were having an affair,” he managed.

“Affairs,” she corrected.

He motioned to the leather furniture. “Can we sit, please. I’m sure your feet are sore after all the dancing.”

She rolled her eyes heavenward. “With all of my other men, right? And I’m perfectly fine standing, thank you.”

He closed his eyes. “I didn’t mean it that way.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I was angry.”

“Jealous, perhaps?”

He took steps towards her until their bodies were merely breaths apart. “You’re damn right I’m jealous. You’re my wife, Charlotte. Mine!”

“That doesn’t even make any sense. How can you possibly be jealous when you don’t even want me for yourself?”

He staggered back slightly, as if she’d struck him. “You think I don’t want you?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense.” She released a slow breath. “I don’t want to argue anymore,” she said. “I’m tired.”

“I’m not trying to fight, but you saying that I do not want you is patently false.” He wasn’t going to let this go.

She lifted her gaze to him. “Say what you will, but I’ve seen the truth behind your actions.”

He closed the distance between them so that the firmness of his chest brushed against hers. “What the devil does that mean?”

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