Page 33 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
That was until a furious voice from behind her said, “And just what do you think you’re doing?”
Surprised, Emmeline dropped the dandelion she was holding and turned, shielding her eyes against the sun. Her husband, in all his height and glory, towered above her with a scowl on his face.
She hadn’t even been attempting to anger him with this, but perhaps this was the straw that broke the metaphorical camel’s back.
“My Lord Husband,” she said, bobbing a low, mocking curtsy. His gaze dropped to her hand and the mud smearing it. “What a delight to see you outside on such a lovely day. I’m surprised you aren’t burning in the sunlight.”
If he noticed her reference to the idea he might be some kind of creature from the deep—or indeed a vampire, as she intended—he gave no signs of it, casting a critical glance over her face.
“You’re going to burn if you’re not careful,” he said curtly.
“Allow me to worry about that if you please.”
“What do you think you’re doing out here?” His voice was cold, but something in his gaze was as hot as the sun as it traveled across her face. “I never gave you permission to alter the garden.”
She tipped her chin up defiantly. “I wasn’t aware I had to ask permission. Is this not my house as well as yours?”
“What are you intending to do to it?”
“Clear away some of this nonsense,” she said, gesturing toward the tangled roses, “and perhaps make way for some new flowers. At the very least, tidy it up a little.”
“You should have spoken to me about it first.”
“Why?” she challenged. “And why, pray? It’s hardly as though you’re often around.”
“You could have sent me a message.”
“Over thegarden? I’m not razing it to the ground, Adam.” The moment she said his name, she realized her mistake and tried to rake it back. “That is to say, I’m not making any significant changes, My Lord Duke.”
“Emmeline—”
“No. You will not command me as though I am a servant. Is that what you wanted when you married me? A meek lady who would do nothing without your permission, and who would wait for your say-so to breathe? Because, husband, I am not that wife. I refuse to sit around idly while you busy yourself and ignore me.”
His eyes flashed, and she did her best not to notice the deep blue rings around the outer edges of his irises.
“Would you rather I didn’t ignore you, wife of mine?”
“I wouldpreferif you didn’t fight me on every change.”
“I said nothing when you changed the curtains.”
“Oh, so youdidnotice.”
“Of course, I noticed.” His mouth ticked at the corner, and she was unsure whether it was a smile or a scowl. “And you were so obliging to change them back.”
That’s because they were ugly.
Emmeline changed tack. “Why did you come out here and disturb me now? Merely so you could tell me to come inside and stop my working in the garden?”
“Working? Is that what you call this?” He cast a deliberate glance at her handiwork. “Are you aware that you are not merely pulling up weeds?”
She gaped at him. “Excuse me?”
“If you keep this up, the garden will be devoid of actual flowers.”
“Well then.” Emmeline gestured toward the ground. “Why not show me how it’s done? Unless you’re too high and mighty, Your Grace?”
For a moment, she thought he might refuse. His lips thinned, and she waited for the inevitable moment when he would attempt to insist she return inside. Something she had no intention of doing. He would not get her in the house unless he dragged her there.
