Page 94 of Married to the Icy Duke
“You’re about to say that it isn’t fair. Well, it isn’t. It isn’t fair. But nor is life. Ours is a marriage of convenience. Those were my rules. Those wereyourrules, before you changed your mind. There is no reason why we should give in now. I’ve made up my mind that things will go back to the way they were, and that is that. This is the best for everybody, and I believe you’ll see that, with time. I hope this will be enough for you.”
There was a long, tight silence. After a moment, Charlotte carefully clambered off the bed, managing not to wake Tommy as she went. She stood in front of Isaac, staring up at him. A single strip of moonlight slipped through the curtains, illuminating her face. Her eyes were heavy with tears, and it made his chest constrict. Her gaze was fixed firmly on his face, never wavering for an instant.
“You hope it’ll be enough, do you?” she said, her voice trembling. “Is it enough for you?”
Isaac swallowed hard and tilted up his chin. “It will have to be.”
She waited for a moment, as if she hoped he would change his mind or say something else. Isaac found himself holding his breath.
“I see,” she said at last, and this time her voice didn’t shake. “So be it, then. Goodnight, husband.”
The word felt flat and stiff, like it was made of cardboard. Without waiting for a reply, Charlotte turned on her heel and slipped out of the room. She closed the door fully behind her, plunging Isaac into darkness.
One Week Later
Tristan eyed the billiards table and sighed.
“That was a terrible shot.”
Isaac gritted his teeth, straightening up. He gripped the cue stick so hard he wouldn’t have been surprised to hear it snap.
“I know,” he responded tightly.
“You’re playing awfully today.”
“Iknow.”
Sighing, Tristan scratched the underside of his chin with the pool cue.
“I suppose we should be grateful that we didn’t spar today. I might have killed you.”
“Tristan, you’re mere seconds away from being beaten half to death with a cue stick.”
Tristan grinned. “With the way your luck is going, I rather fancy my chances. You’ve been like a bear with a sore head over the past week.”
“Perhaps I’m a little on edge from the fact that my nephew was kidnapped no more than seven days ago. The day after I was married, no less,” Isaac added. “Your shot.”
Tristan eyed the table, leaned over, and took a careful shot. A ball bounced into the pocket, and Isaac fought back a groan of annoyance.
“A little birdie told me that the Duke and Duchess of Devils aren’t on speaking terms anymore,” Tristan said mildly. “That might explain your ill humor.”
Isaac shot him a furious stare. “If one of yourlittle birdieshas made its nest in my home, Tristan, I swear …”
“Oh, calm down. You know me. Iknow things, Isaac. And this is only between us, because you are my friend and I care about you, for heaven’s sake. I know that you care for Charlotte—and let’s not waste time with you denying it, because I won’t believe you—and it’s clear that this trouble between you is making you unhappy.”
Isaac was quiet for a moment, clutching the cue stick.
“If you must know, she is the one who is avoiding me.”
Tristan sniffed, taking another shot. The ball bounced off the corner, and he stifled a curse.
“Rats. Your turn, Isaac. Now, I shall assume that you’re the reasonable, intelligent man that I know my friend to be, and that you knowwhyshe is so angry at you. I shall also assume that this little feud is your fault, because let’s be frank, it probably is.”
Isaac didn’t bother arguing. He took another shot and missed by a mile.
“I am not the sort of man who would make her happy,” he muttered, straightening up again.
Tristan sighed. “Have you tried, Isaac? What’s more, have you decided to allow yourself happiness?”
