Page 85 of Married to a Frozen Duke
He groaned. "Your brothers' visit will be a catastrophe."
"Probably. But we survived our wedding. We survived the inn. We can survive Charles and Edward."
"Can we?"
"If we work together. Present that united front you mentioned."
"How do we do that when we can barely have tea without arguing?"
"We're not arguing now."
He looked surprised. "We're not, are we?"
"No, we're actually talking. Like normal people."
They fell into silence again, but it was less strained. The afternoon sun slanted through the windows, casting everything in golden light that made even their awkwardness seem softer.
"I should go," he said finally, not moving.
"More correspondence?"
"Always. The estate doesn't run itself."
"Could I... that is, would you mind if I learned about the estate management? Not to interfere," she added quickly, seeing his expression. "Just to understand. It is my home now, as you said."
He considered this. "I suppose that would be appropriate. A duchess should understand her holdings."
"Holdings. You make it sound so romantic."
"Romance isn't..."
"Part of this arrangement. Yes, I'm aware."
He stood to leave, then paused at the door. "Tomorrow, when your brothers arrive..."
"We'll manage."
"I mean it, Ophelia. Whatever our differences, tomorrow we present..."
"A united front. Yes, I understand. The Duke and Duchess of Montclaire, perfectly content in their arranged marriage."
"Not perfectly content. That would be unbelievable. Just... not actively hostile."
"I think we can manage that for a few hours."
"Can we?"
"Alexander, we've been managing it for two weeks. We're quite good at polite indifference."
"That's not what I want them to see."
"What do you want them to see?"
He considered this. "That you're... settled. Safe. Not miserable."
"Concerned for my welfare? How unexpected."
"I'm not a beast, no matter what your family thinks."
