Page 91 of If the Slipper Fits
“She informed me she’d packed for me and said I must leave straight away lest I find myself departing with Baron Bolton. I questioned her, of course. How could I not? She’d never once let on she knew anything about my past, when in actuality she knew more than I did.”
He cocked his head. “How do you mean?”
“You’ll recall I thought I’d killed the man. Lady Wentworth seems to not only know of our…um…connection, she knew he was alive—when I thought him dead. Else why pack a valise for me to escape him before even I knew leaving was a necessity?”
He slung one arm across the upper cushion behind her and his gaze drifted over her. “Why indeed?”
Her skin prickled, her breasts tightened, and everything in her went hot.Kiss me.“Do you believe me?”
His eyes met hers. Seconds ticked by. “Yes.”
A tentative smile curved her lips. “Thank you.”
“Anna, have you given any thought to what you’ll do once we reach Chissington Hall?”
The swift change of topic caught her off guard. “What I’ll do?”
He inclined his head in a fractional nod.
“I suppose I’ll…I was rather hoping I could stay in Derby for a day or two.”
Fire flashed in his eyes and his nostrils flared. “Stay in Derby?” he erupted.
Her stomach dropped to her toes. He didn’t want her there? Now she understood why he wasn’t broaching the subject of last night. It had meant nothing to him.
She forced her smile to remain in place. “I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Rest assured, I’ll be off straight away.”
“Off? Are you mad? You’ll stay in Derby, by God.”
Relief turned her limbs to water. “I’m not sure what you’re asking, Caden.”
He shook his head, clearly exasperated. “I’m asking if you’ve any idea how to end your sham of a marriage. I would assume that’s the first order of the day for us.”
“For us?”
His cheeks went ruddy. “For you.”
She gave up trying to understand his quicksilver mood. “I suppose I must ask for an annulment, not that I know how, nor on what basis one might be attained.”
“As to how, I’m sure we can get the earl’s man, Hallis to submit the paperwork. Concerning the grounds…” he paused. “Unfortunately, I know of only one sure-fire way to achieve such an end.”
“What is it?”
He lowered his eyes. “If one can show proof she’s never lain with her husband, one has grounds to contest the marriage’s legitimacy.”
Of course. Angelique had wanted to close that particular loophole. Hadn’t she commanded Boltonget the deed done?She shivered.
Beside her, Caden leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. “Thanks to last night, that option’s no longer viable.”
Last night. All morning she’d wanted him to broach the subject.Careful what you wish for, Gloriana, her father always said.
Words tumbled out of her mouth before she knew what she meant to say. “Do you regret it so much?”
He straightened slowly, his eyes wary. “Regret what?”
