Page 46 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“I do notneednice,” he growled. “I need an estate that functions, and Westley Manor does just that. I endured the manor’s refurbishments with difficulty. Do not test my endurance, Duchess, or you shall regret it.”
“And why might I regret it?” she challenged, all element of apologies gone.
He had a past, yes, but that did not allow him to speak so harshly with her every time.
“I am your wife, and I live here. Am I not allowed to ask my own husband to dine with me? Tositwith me? To pretend as though I do actually exist?”
“We are in an arrangement of convenience!” he shouted. “How clearer do I have to be?”
“I understand that,” she argued back, her hands balling at her sides as she got closer to him. “But when will you admit that you are simply a man who cannot handle not being in control?”
That brought him up short, and she knew she had guessed correctly. He leaned in close. “Do not overstep your place, Duchess.”
“And why not?” she whispered, looking up at him.
The last time they had argued so heatedly…
She swallowed, thinking about his clever tongue that could reduce her to being a flustered mess in more ways than one.
“What happens when His Grace loses control?” she asked.
Anger sparked in his gaze, and she felt her face warm up.
But it wasn’t simply due to the argument, no. Had the Duke gotten too close? She suddenly felt a sickly sort of heat flush through her, dampening her skin beneath her dress and chemise.
Veronica swiped at her forehead again. “Oh,” she murmured. “Heavens, it is hot.”
“Well done for finally noticing,” he muttered. “You see, this is why I keep telling you not to interfere. We have gardeners for a reason, Duchess. You do not need to trouble yourself being out in the sun.”
“I thought…” Goodness, her chest felt tight. “I thought you did not care.”
Her body swayed, and she reached out, fearful of why she felt like this.
He stood too close. Surely, it was his own heat being close to her. She needed air—she needed to breathe.
“Duchess?” he asked. She imagined a tinge of concern in his voice.
He stepped closer to her, his hands raising.
“Please, you must move,” she gasped, her vision blurring. “Your Grace, I…”
Her voice trailed off as her mouth parted slackly, her energy suddenly draining. Her entire face was in flames with the heat of the day as her knees weakened.
Around her, the world spun sickly, and right before the world went dark, she felt like she’d landed into the Duke’s strong arms.
Veronica did not know what had happened, but when she woke up, the white canopy above her bed took over her vision. She blinked, her fingers twitching where they rested atop her bed coverings.
“You are awake.”
The voice was much softer than Veronica recalled it ever being.
She glanced around to find the Duke seated beside her bed, folding a damp towel.
“May I?” he asked, lifting the towel.
She bit her lip, nodding, feeling strange that the Duke was in her chambers.
He reached over to place the cool towel on her head. Immediately, the soothing contrast made her feel much better. She sighed, pressing it to her skin more, feeling a trickle of water slide down her temples.
