Page 35 of Of Oaths and Secrets

Sofia’s expression turns sour, but she doesn’t argue. With a final, disdainful glance, she turns away, leaving Nora and me in uneasy silence.

“I think we should call it a night,” I say, breaking the tension.

“Yes, I think that’s for the best,” Nora replies, her gaze fixed anywhere but on me.

As we make our way through the room, bidding our goodbyes, men start whistling and giving me knowing grins. They tap me on the back, and by the time we reach the exit, Nora is bright red, and I’m even more annoyed. The hooting and applause make me feel like I’m leading my new wife to her doom—like we’re about to take some final, intimate step rather than simply retiring for the night.

“We’ll be staying here tonight,” I tell her as we reach the hallway.

She nods, still avoiding my gaze, and I wonder how scared or disgusted she might be of me. I nudge her gently, and we make our way up the stairs.

I open the door to the guest bedroom she occupied last night, and she steps in, standing in the middle of the room, wringing her hands together. I close the door behind us and lean against it.

“I didn’t think you’d meet all my detractors in one night,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Is that all the detractors you have?” she asks, her tone sharp but not unkind.

I can’t help but let out a small, rueful laugh. “Touché.” I sigh, trying to steady my voice. “Nora, please look at me.”

She turns to face me, her eyes cautious but not fearful. “Is it true?” she asks.

“Is what true?”

“What Sofia told me.”

This is the moment where I must decide—lie to her and soothe her or let her face the harsh, bloody truth.

“Yes, it’s all true,” I admit. “Her husband was a traitor, and she profited from it.”

She seems taken aback. “Have you not heard of my reputation? Are you surprised I could do this?”

“No,” she replies. “I’m surprised you’re being honest.”

“Would you rather I wasn’t?” I ask, stepping closer.

She seems to consider this for a few seconds. “No, I think I’d lose respect for you if you weren’t.”

“Oh, so you respect me?” I ask, a hint of surprise in my voice.

“In some ways, yes,” she says quietly.

There’s a brief silence as we both absorb the weight of her words. The air between us thickens with a tension that I can’t quite shake. She stands there, watching me with those bright eyes, and I feel something unfamiliar tugging at the edges of my self-control. It’s like a slow burn, a yearning I’m not used to, but I push it down, reminding myself of the boundaries I’ve set.

She takes a deep breath and winces, resting her hands on her sides. “The corset… it’s too tight.”

I nod, stepping closer. “Turn around,” I instruct, my voice lower than intended.

She does as I say, her back to me. I brush my fingers against the laces of her dress, and even that small touch sends a jolt through me. Her skin is warm and smooth beneath my fingers as I work to loosen the corset. When the last lace is undone, the dress slips from her shoulders and pools at her feet, revealing her in just her white cotton and lace undergarments.

She turns to face me, and my breath catches. Her body is soft and curvy in all the ways that draw my eyes like a magnet. She’s not the rigid, cold figure I’ve seen from a distance; she’s real, standing here before me, and every inch of her speaks to a part of me I’ve long kept buried. I can’t help but admire her, the way she owns her shape, the way her skin glows in the dim light.

I step closer, almost against my will, my fingers brushing lightly against her collarbone. The contact sends a rush through me, a heat that flares low in my belly, and I feel the traitorous stirof arousal. My control wavers for a second, the desire to explore, to touch more, almost overpowering my resolve.

But then I take a step back, distancing myself from the pull of her presence. “Have a good night,” I manage, my voice steady but strained.

Nora’s eyes flicker with something—disappointment, maybe—and she wraps her arms around herself as though trying to shield her own vulnerability.

She hesitates, then asks, “Are you going to see her? Tonight.”

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