Claiming His Christmas Angel: A Steamy Christmas Romance by Monica Burns

Author:Monica Burns [Burns, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maroli SP Imprints
Published: 2024-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“You’re an optimist. All the marriages I’ve seen are a farce. Large dowries tying women to husbands who abuse them or treat them as chattel,” she sneered.

Atticus’s chest tightened at the bitterness in Octavia’s voice. Damn Stanfield and his ilk for making her believe the only kind of marriage she could expect was one where she was subjugated. Octavia would find it impossible to be subservient to him or anyone. Not that he wanted a submissive wife. In fact, her independence and forthright nature were two of the things he liked the most about her. Octavia would keep him on his toes. With a small shake of his head, Atticus disagreed with her statement.

“While I agree there are many men who marry a woman for her dowry, I don’t believe every—”

“The kind of marriage you’re suggesting is absurd. What about all the husbands who take a mistress once they sire an heir, leaving their wives to live a life of humiliation and misery?” Octavia’s words were harsh and vehement as she interrupted him. “Their husbands control their finances, and worst of all, they know their children will be ripped from their arms if they try to leave.”

Atticus stiffened at her fierce criticism of marriage. Christ almighty, her antagonistic outlook on marital bliss was going to be difficult to reverse. It was obvious she’d spent a lot of time observing marriages within the Marlborough Set. But he knew she was wrong. Atticus leaned forward, determined to make her understand she’d only seen the worst of marriages. There were other examples of marriages that were far removed from the kind she’d observed.

“And I find those men despicable,” Atticus said firmly. “But not every marriage is like that Octavia, nor does it have to be.”

“Other than my parents, I don’t know of any other couple who has a joyous marriage—not even one where the couple likes each other and are comfortable in each other’s company.” With a dismissive wave of her hand and a scornful toss of her head, she rejected his statement. “In fact, I remember a friend of my mother’s who had been vivacious and spirited before she married, only to become a shadow of her former self afterward.”

The idea of something similar happening to Octavia made his muscles twist and knot until they were so hard it hurt. What she’d describe was exactly what would have happened to her if she’d not been independent enough to leave town, or God forbid she’d been forced into marrying someone like the men who’d sought her out only for her dowry. Atticus reached out to touch the back of her hand.

“I would never want to witness such a tragedy where you’re concerned. I would hate to see your fiery spirit shackled in such a way.” His solemn words made her eyes widen in her sweet, oval-shaped face as she eyed him in astonishment, then a resolute expression made her lips thin and tighten.

“My decision not to marry ensures I will not suffer such a terrible fate.

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