Page 21 of Cora
“What if I don’t want new clothes?” She didn’t mind having new things, but him ordering an entire wardrobe without consulting her felt like being ordered to become someone she was not. Stuffed into a costume and told to perform a role she’d already failed at once—just like this morning.
Her pride was fighting tooth and nail against the idea of being molded into the woman he considered worthy. Why not choose a different woman, rather than attempt to mold her into someone else?
Gideon bent close, and again, she was forced to fight the urge to bury her face in the crook of his neck. Money could buy anything, including the kind of shaving soap that made women weak at the knees.
“We shall discuss this in private, not in front of my servants.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “Lead the way.”
She had a number of things she wished to say to him once they were alone.
CHAPTERELEVEN
GIDEON
Upstairs, Gideon led her to a double door, behind which was a lavishly appointed sitting area.
“Oh, no,” Cora said in dismay, staring at the gleaming piano in the corner.
“I trust you will find the rooms arranged to your liking. If not, speak with Mrs. Lawton and we shall change them.” He went to the instrument and trailed blunt fingertips over the keys, striking a discordant note. “Once upon a time, you exhibited some talent.”
Cora barely glanced at it and went into the next chamber where she discovered a large, curtained bed in the center, a cheerful fire in the coal box, and a small antechamber containing a table with a delicate chair and mirror.
“I no longer play,” she blurted out without turning, her face burning. Did he intend this as a taunt? “I haven’t since…”
She let the sentence trail off into tense silence, pondering the meaning of ivory keys, and the strings they would vibrate inside that black lacquer case. Once, playing the piano had felt as expressive as her own voice. He had silenced her. No doubt he meant to remind her of her humiliation to keep her humble in this house. It wouldn’t work. Yet her curiosity burned.
“Since when?” he prompted.
“Why did you do it?” Whirling, she pinned her husband with a glare. “I have always wondered. You barely knew my name. I cannot think of a single thing I did to offend you. Tell me, Gideon, why?”
He strode forward, his face a thundercloud. Her breath caught. Would he strike her? He was a strong man. He knew how to hit hard. Cora braced for a blow, but none came.
“To save you from worse.”
Cora scoffed. “You humiliated me for my own good. Is that it?” The insufferable arse. Unspent fury coursed through her body, rendering her weak and shaky, yet she would not flinch.
“Yes.”
“To spare me the indignity of making a good match.” The worst part was that he clearly believed his own nonsense.
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
“How thoughtful of you,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Please be so kind as to have the piano removed as soon as possible. I do not wish to be reminded of my greatest failure.”
“Cora.”
She had put distance between them, afraid that if he touched her or got too close she would humiliate herself further by breaking into tears. That was unacceptable. She would not cry over anything this man said or did ever again.
“I…apologize.”
“Very sincerely, too. I ask you to leave now, that I may collect myself.” She wanted to tear the wedding gown off and climb into her old clothes, but one glance at the discreet panel painted to blend in with the wall made her stomach drop. There was no lock. She would have no way to keep him out of her room if she wished to.
Perhaps she and Miss Marnie could move a large piece of furniture to block entrance. The piano, for instance.
Her husband nodded assent, yet remained rooted in her sitting room. “I shall see you at dinner.”
She yanked open her valise. Titi jumped onto the bed.
