Page 58 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
When she drew closer, Lady Sophia reached for her arm and leaned in to whisper, “Stick with me, please.”
“I would not have it any other way,” Theresa said with a smile, grateful to have at least one ally among the guests.
“The show will start soon.”
Lady Sophia looked up at the sky, and Theresa followed, seeing a blanket of stars above them.
She could not fathom that she would be allowed out this late. That so many people were permitted the freedom to attend this party so late in the afternoon. This was the time she would need to do her chores and devote her time to prayer.
As she stood there and watched the twinkling stars above them, she was suddenly startled by the sound of an explosion. She turned her head in the direction of the sound just in time to catch the second firework light. Intense white light illuminated the sky as a hush fell over the garden, which only made the explosions sound louder.
Fabric grazed against her arm, letting her know that Aaron followed her through the crowd. He put a hand on her shoulder, but she did not feel the faint trace of desire she often did.Instead, tension filled her limbs and left her feeling the need to escape.
The strange exchange with Lady Isabella made her doubt what she thought she knew about the man she had married.
Theresa could not bring herself to look him in the eye.
Instead, they simply stood next to one another as they watched the fireworks. Theresa had never imagined that such a dazzling display could exist, especially during a private party like this one.
The colorful lights stole her attention, but she knew she must say something to her husband. The emotion that hovered at the tip of her tongue did not fancy being let out in so public a place. So she simply said, “It is quite beautiful. Thank you for bringing me, husband.”
When she did not turn to look at him, he grabbed her by the chin in an uncharacteristic display of force and leaned in. “You should look at me when you speak to me.”
“I do not feel like looking at you at this moment,” she whispered.
She felt Lady Sophia’s eyes on her and Aaron. Gossip would spread as fast as wildfire in London if she could not placate him in the garden.
“And why might that be?” Aaron crossed his arms over his chest, daring her to defy him in public.
“I do not wish to talk about it. Not here,” she said.
If she were to confront her husband about being in love with another woman, she would prefer to do so in the privacy of their home.
He has every right to love someone else. He had an entire life before I was foisted on him.
Still, she was surprised when he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from Lady Sophia and the other guests, who were now watching them, though Theresa was uncertain whether it was true or only her imagination.
“The show?—”
“I will throw a show on our estate for your eyes only,” Aaron said, as if that was the only logical thing to do.
He led her to the white gazebo in a secluded part of the garden. Theresa wrenched her arm free and went to sit on the bench within the latticed walls.
He stood in front of her with his arms crossed. “You did not wish to talk about it in front of Lady Sophia. But you will notice that there is no one else around. Now, talk. Why did you run from me?”
If he wished to do this here, where anyone could stumble upon them and interrupt their conversation at any moment, who was she to stop him or defy him?
“That woman,” she said, unsure of what she should say. “You knew her before.”
“Yes,” Aaron confirmed.
Seeing that she would have his total honesty, she added, “Intimately.”
“She was my betrothed.”
Theresa let out a frustrated sigh and rose from the wooden bench. She paced around the small gazebo. Frustration made her feel like a snake, coiled and ready to strike. Could he be so nonchalant about his past with another woman whenshewas his wife?
And yet, she had forced him to tell her the truth. This was a frustration of her own design.
