Page 18 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
It was a different type of intimidating. Not scary. Not tense. But tempting…
“No…”
“Are you sure about that? You seem a little put out.”
Despite herself, she glared at him. “I was led to believe that you and I would be spending as little time together as possible. You were quite clear on the fact.”
He laughed. “I am merely breaking my fast, Iris. Please, try not to read too much into what isn’t there.” He raised an eyebrow and still she hesitated. “Come now,” he sighed. “You are starting to hurt my feelings. Why, it is almost as if you don’t trust yourself around me.”
“Don’t be absurd.” She blew through her lips.
“Well then…” He indicated to the seat just down from where he sat at the table’s head. “If that is the case don’t let me stop you.”
It felt like a trap to Iris. No doubt Philip was aware of how Iris had reacted to their kiss last night. Just as he was aware of how weak she would become if he was to try and kiss her again.
Is that what he wants? To seduce me? Or does he just want to prove that he can any time he wants it, once again stamping his authority on this marriage to remind me of how little power I have.
With that in mind, Iris straightened her back, firmed her chin, and strode into the breakfast room.
“There we are,” he said with a smile. “That wasn’t so hard now, was it.”
“Being in your presence, you mean?” She sat down and looked at him coldly. “Suddenly, I find myself without appetite.”
“You have quite a tongue on you, you know. Have you always been so outspoken?”
“I don’t know what you mean. Of all my sisters, I am often considered the politest and softly spoken. Perhaps you are the one who should consider what he says.” She looked at him pointedly. “And how he says it.”
He chuckled at that but said nothing.
The next few minutes were tense. Iris did everything she could to ignore the duke as she had her breakfast made before her. A glass of juice poured also, paired with some black tea. And as it was, she felt the duke eyeing her with a sense of curiosity, amusement flashing behind his eyes as if she had done something funny.
“Might I ask what you have planned for today?” he asked finally.
“Do you care?”
“I suppose I don’t,” he admitted. “I just want to make sure that it won’t end with you storming into my office again.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can assure you, that will not happen. In fact, I have been doing some thinking.”
“Oh.”
“Yes.” She made sure to be looking right at him. “You were correct last night, regarding the mixed messages I have been giving you. It was wrong of me to blame you for not paying me any attention, just as it confused things.”
“Is that right.”
“I no more want a traditional marriage than you do, just as I no more expect us to pretend otherwise. If you wish to act as if I do not live here, I will only too happily accept this mode of living and find ways to entertain myself.” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Alone, and happier for it.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said simply. “That should make things a lot easier going forward.”
“Good.” She pulled her plate toward her. “Now that we have settled that…” And then, she proceeded to eat her breakfast, determined to leave the conversation there.
It was a rather childish thing to say, Iris thought to herself. And not at all the full truth. Despite her misgivings about Philip, there was still a part of her that thought to want more. Where love and happiness were clearly off the table, it would have beennice to have liked the man she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.
Sadly, that just wasn’t possible. Whenever she thought about spending time with Philip, she was reminded of that kiss and how it had felt. How she wanted it to go further. How she enjoyed the control he took and how utterly helpless she had felt.
She did not trust herself. And knowing that Philip thought so little of her, that he wanted just the one thing and would likely discard her after the fact, she had come to the decision that it was simply not worth the cost. She would be lonely, yes. But at least she would never be heartbroken.
“You still have not answered my question,” Philip spoke suddenly.
