Only Marriage Will Do by Jaxon Jenna

Author:Jaxon, Jenna [Jaxon, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781616506186
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

To Juliet’s consternation, Amiable rose when Katarina did and grazed her cheek as he said good night. She left the room on Duncan’s arm, and her husband turned back to her, standing so straight he seemed at attention. What in God’s name would he do?

She waited for him to approach her, to speak, to do something to break this horrible silence. Her tongue seemed to have swollen in her mouth, so she couldn’t utter a word if she tried. Her gaze dropped to her lap to contemplate her clasped hands, the only safe haven.

With measured gait, Amiable walked past her toward the fireplace. Minutes passed with just the crackle of the fire and the lonely sough of the fierce wind outside. It seemed they were to be in for some stormy days.

Convinced her husband had no intention of speaking to her, Juliet raised her head to find him studying her in silence. He stood straight, arms crossed over his chest, his chin lowered to stare down his nose at her. Her heart thudded like a tight drum in her chest. She managed a small, nervous smile.

It was not returned.

So be it. She must try to make amends. With resolute determination, she gathered all her courage, all her remorse, and rose. Quietly she came to stand before him, head bowed.

“Amiable, I cannot tell you how sorry I am I hurt you. Sorry…” She swallowed hard. The confession wanted to stick in her throat. “Sorry I lied to you about Glynis and did not tell you about Mr. Sutton.” She risked a peek at him, but his expression had not changed from that devastating look of contempt.

“I know I should have told you of my betrothal, but the settlements had been signed less than a week before. I didn’t think of myself as betrothed. With Duncan’s departure, followed by Philippe’s appearance, frightening me half to death with his assertions about the marriage, Mr. Sutton didn’t enter my head at all. Then you were so kind and wonderful, so I just, well, forgot him.” She stared at him, misery eating her.

“I wonder how long it will take you to forget me, Juliet.”

How could he think such a thing? “I could never forget you, Amiable. I love you, with all my heart, all my soul.”

He lifted the corner of his mouth into a sneer. “I wonder if you offered the same sentiment to St. Cyr or Sutton? Perhaps to both?”

“Oh.” Tears welled from her eyes. “I have never said such a thing to anyone else, not even to Philippe. How can you be so cruel as to doubt my love for you?”

“Rather ask how I could be so foolish as to believe a word you say, my dear.” His eyes glinted icy as sleet. “I wonder if you have ever told me the truth about anything?”

Juliet sobbed and sank into a chair. She could not bear the suspicion and disdain in his voice. Even worse, she had put them there. The hard lines that now seemed etched into his face accused her further.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.