Page 32 of Marry in Secret
“Thomas?”
Why did she keep arguing? Much more of this and he’d weaken, take her and all she had to offer, then shatter herdreams and ruin her life. Again. “You’re in no state to decide anything. You need time to settle, to think it through, discuss your situation with your family.”
She stiffened at his tone. “And if we decide my future is to be a duchess?”
He shrugged, as if it would mean nothing to him. “Then so be it.”
Her fingers curled into fists. “You’d be happy with that, would you?”
He opened his mouth to assure her he would, but he couldn’t make himself say it. “You’re free to choose.”
“Free?” She was angry again. “We aremarried, Thomas.”
“We were, but—”
“But what?” She narrowed her eyes. “Is ityouwho wants to be free?”
He didn’t answer.
“Is there someone else? Another woman?”
“No! Of course not!”
“Then I don’t see the problem. Unless you no longer want me.”
He closed his eyes. How could she possibly think that? Not want her? For so long he’d ached for her, dreamed of returning to her, making a home with her in some green and pleasant English valley, raising a family.
And then the fantasy had withered, leaving a bitter husk of a man driven by rage and dreams of vengeance... And today the last remnant of his dreams had turned to ash.
“I’m... damaged, Rose. Not the man I was. Not the man you married.”
“Damaged?” Her eyes widened with concern. “How? What—”
“Not a physical problem. But”—he shook his head wearily—“I’m not fit for marriage to someone like you anymore.”
“Someone like me? What do you mean?”
But he wasn’t going to try to explain. “Just take the annulment, Rose.”
“Are you really going to do it, Thomas? Just let them annul us and walk away?” Her voice shook with disbelief.
“It’s for the best.” And then, because he couldn’t make himself walk away from her without one last touch, he touched her cheek lightly with the back of one finger. “Be happy, Rose.”
“Rose?” Her sister, Lily, stood in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but Cal, um, wants to see your marriage certificate. They, he sent me—they’re wondering what was keeping you.” By the end of her speech she was flushing.
Rose sighed. “Because of course I need a chaperone to be alone with my husband. I’ll be so glad when everyone stops fussing. All right, Lily love, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Lily nodded and withdrew, but she left the door ajar. Deliberate, Thomas assumed. She’d be waiting in the hall.
“You’d better go, then,” Rose told him. “They’ll all be out here soon. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Had she not listened to a thing he’d said? “I’m not coming back tomorrow. Talk the situation over with your family—they want what’s best for you.”
“And what if I need to talk to you again?”
He hesitated. He didn’t want to talk to her again.
She persisted. “What if I need you to sign papers or something?”
