by Dawn Brower
Liam stepped out of the carriage and turned to help her down. She took his hand and jumped down. He continued to hold onto her as he escorted her inside her new home where the staff greeted them.
"This is the butler, Pemberly and the housekeeper, Janie." Liam introduced them. "This is my wife, Lady Marsden."
"Welcome home," they both said in unison.
"Is Lady Marsden's room ready?" Liam asked.
"Yes, sir it is," Janie said.
"Good. Can you show her around the house and where her room will be?" Liam asked.
"You're not going to show me around?" Gemma asked.
"No, I have some things to do."
She couldn't believe he was leaving her. Alone. In a new home she'd never laid eyes on before. How inconsiderate...
"I thought you just said you were tired," Gemma said with a petulant voice.
"I am," Liam rubbed his temples in frustration. "Don't be difficult Gemma."
Her husband was an arse. How dare he tell her not to be difficult? She had every right to be as demanding as she wanted. Her whole life had been uprooted, and while it was a good thing it was still rather drastic. Why couldn’t he understand how unsettled it all had made her? Did the blasted man every really look at anything around him? Gemma didn’t see the point in arguing with him. If he wanted to abandon her she’d let him. This was her life now. She’d just have to find a way to get through her husband’s tough shell. It would just take time. For now, though, she didn’t want to lay eyes on him. His actions disgusted her and she had more pride than to beg.
"I see. So you are going to run away already. I'm not surprised. Will I see you later?"
"No. I will be out."
"Ah. I get it. Go run to your club, Liam. I'll be fine here with Janie and Pemberly. I don't need you." Gemma turned to walk towards Janie.
Damn her infernal heart—why did she allow herself to start to hope. She knew better.
"Gemma, wait..."
No doubt he had a list of reasons why he needed to leave. She didn't have the energy or inclination to listen to him droll on about them. She'd rather he go and save herself the aggravation.
"Go, Liam. I see you have more pressing—issues." She turned her attention to the butler and housekeeper.
"Now, Janie, I'd love a tour. Please show me around my new home," Gemma said with as much enthusiasm she could muster. She'd been taking care of herself for a while now—since her father passed away. A sharp pain stabbed through her chest as she remembered the loss. "Pemberly, could you please see to it that my satchel is taken to my room. I believe it's still in the carriage."
"Yes, Lady Marsden," Pemberly said and turned to leave the room.
Gemma turned to see Liam still standing in the entryway. His lips were twitching downward. Eyes narrowed to tiny slits he observed her with the staff. His arms were folded across his chest, his head slightly tilted, as he tapped his foot. If Gemma were to hazard a guess, he seemed to be contemplating what his next move would be.
"Why are you still here?" she asked. "I thought you had something better to do."
"It isn't like that, Gemma."
"It never is, is it?"
"I don't understand why you are so damned angry, but I'm not going to sit here and have a disagreement with you in front of the servants. We will discuss this later."
"Fine by me."
Gemma watched as Liam stormed out of the house. She fought tears from falling down her face. None of it should surprise her. He only married her to protect her from her awful cousin. He never promised or claimed to love her. She couldn't hold him responsible for her broken heart. No, she knew where to place the blame; it belonged squarely on her shoulders.
She foolishly still loved Liam Marsden. Stupid of her to hope he might return those feelings... No time to cry, there were other more pressing matters at hand. She had a household to get familiar with and servants waiting for her direction.
"Janie, please show me around the house."
"It would be my pleasure, Lady Marsden," Janie said.
Janie led her around and showed her every nook and cranny. The townhouse was lovely and bright. It would be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. If only she thought a family might be in her future. Maybe someday, if her husband ever touched her again. That kiss in the church had to be an anomaly.
"This here is your room. It was prepared for you earlier today."
"And where is my husband's room?"
"Right next door."
"Thank you, Janie," Gemma said. "I think I am going to retire to the sitting room. Can you have tea sent there?"
"Absolutely madam. Would you like something to eat as well?"
"Yes, something light. It's been a long day, and I don't want a heavy meal. I don't want supper tonight."
"Very well, I will have it prepared."
Janie left her standing in her bedroom. The coloring matched her eyes. The draperies and bedspread were both a nice shade of green. She had to wonder if Liam had ordered the room made up in that color or if it had already been decorated in that shade. He had asked her to change into a green gown earlier. It made her wonder how much he noticed about her.
How silly of her to consider he'd made the room up in a color to match her eyes. He wouldn't have gone that far. It would imply he'd been planning this for a while. Gemma knew that couldn't have been possible. It was only her wishful thinking that Liam might have feelings for her beyond protecting her from Alfie.
Speculating about the possible motivations of her husband wouldn't get her anywhere. She already had a sharp sting in her chest. No need to add to the pain. She walked out of the room and down the stairs. She weaved her way through the hallway until she located the sitting room. She sat down and waited for her tea to arrive.
"Excuse me, Lady Marsden," Pemberly said. "I know you just arrived, but we have a caller."
"We do? Who?"
"That would be me," a male voice said.
Gemma looked up into the eyes of a very handsome man. She had never seen him before, but if she had he might have given Liam a rival for her attention. Never before had she seen such a good-looking man. His features were as dark as Liam's were light. The shade of his hair held the hue of a black midnight sky and his eyes a deep rich brown, like chocolate. His countenance screamed power and authority. This man was not someone to toil with.
"I don't know you," she said. "I'm sorry, that's rather rude of me."
"No apologies necessary," he said smoothly. "I don't socialize so you wouldn't know me on sight. You probably recognize my name though. I am Noah St. John, Duke of Huntly."
"Oh, now I certainly feel more foolish, Your Grace. I have to ask though why are you here?"
"I came to see your husband, Liam."
"Oh, Pemberly probably told you he isn't in. He left rather suddenly."
"He did indeed, but when he said Lady Marsden was in I had to meet you."
"Oh, and why?"
"Because I didn't believe my dear friend had succumbed to marriage when he vowed he wouldn't for many years to come. His new wife had to be an enchantress of some sort. It's my duty as his friend to see for myself that he made a good choice." He grinned. "You're quite beautiful, Lady Marsden. Liam is a lucky man. You sure you want to stay with him?"
Gemma didn't know if she should be flattered or appalled. Did Liam put him up to this nonsense? She didn't think he had a cruel bone in his body, but she had been wrong before.
"What are you after, Your Grace?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Why are you throwing flattery at me and asking me so blatantly if I want to leave my husband… of less than five hours."
"So the newness hasn't worn off yet?" The duke raised his eyebrow, mocking her.
Ah, she understood now. The duke was a rake and ascertaining her intentions. She didn't believe in being unfaithful and wouldn't find a lover to replace her husband. Liam was the only one she ever truly wanted. Besides, she had no clu
e what true passion entailed. She didn't know what she missed by denying herself the joys of intimacy.
The Duke of Huntly wouldn't be getting anywhere with her. Even if Liam never truly loved her, nothing would get her to be untrue to herself. When she made a vow, she meant it and had every intention of keeping it. Even in the face of such a handsome, enticing male, she would stay true to her beliefs.
"You're cynical. That's your problem. You don't believe anyone can be faithful to each other. I get it now. You're testing me. Rest assured, Your Grace, I don't plan on having an affair with anyone." Moisture formed on her palms. Gemma wiped them across her skirts. "If that is all you came to ascertain, you can turn around and leave. It's been a trying day, and I'd rather not deal with anymore… difficulties."
"No one ever does, dear. Look at you. Liam left you all alone on your wedding night, no less. It won't take long for your bed to be too cold, and you'll want someone to warm it up for you." His lips tilted up into a cocky smile. "Let me know if you change your mind and I'll be happy to show you what true pleasure is."
An unladylike snort erupted from her mouth. She tilted her head and looked closely at the duke. His eyes had narrowed into tiny slits, and his lips curled into a sensuous smile. His arms were folded across his chest. True pleasure he said. Gemma didn't doubt he could deliver on that promise. If only Liam had been the one to offer it to her, then she'd have been already leaping into his arms. This man would never do though.
"How kind of you to offer yourself to service my needs," she said with derision in her voice. "I'm going to have to decline your very generous offer, Your Grace. I'm not into inflicting pain on myself. Besides, I respect myself too much. I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding a different candidate."
"Indeed I won't. I'm not used to getting turned down," he said. His lips tilted into a half smile filled with cockiness.
"You proposition the wives' of your friends' often?" Gemma asked, sarcasm laced through her voice.
"No." The Duke of Huntly laughed. "Only you hold that distinction. I had to be sure, you see."
"So you wouldn't have become my lover if I jumped at the chance?" Gemma raised her eyebrow questioningly.
She could see the play of emotions on his face. This man before her was a conundrum. She didn't understand him completely. Gemma wasn't even sure how close his relationship was to her husband. Why did he come in and immediately proposition her? What kind of game was he playing with her? Gemma didn't like playing the fool and didn't appreciate this man making her look and feel silly.
"On the contrary, I would have, if only to prove to Liam exactly what kind of woman he married," he said quietly.
"I see, so you did this all for purely altruistic intentions," she said with skepticism in her voice. "Somehow I doubt that."
"Very astute of you. I promise I won't ever offer again. I honestly am only looking out for Liam."
"A little late don't you think? We are already married."
"Nothing is ever too late." He shook his head. "Something could have been done to correct the mistake."
"Really? What possible solutions would you have for it?" she asked.
"Annulment, if possible… divorce, if not. Death is usually final."Her mouth hung open for several seconds as she processed his word. Once she got control over her thoughts, she stared up into his brown depths. "Death? Really? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?" Surely he didn't mean what he insinuated.
"Yes. Quite so. Sometimes it doesn't give us much of a choice." A solemn glint in his eyes as grief filled his voice. "Death waits for no one."
Noah St. John had some dark stains on his soul. She could see shadows in his eyes telling her he had ingrained demons buried inside him compounded by unearthly pain. Gemma didn't want to dig too deep for fear of what she'd find. It also became clear that he had no idea how to relate to anyone. Someone had hurt him, and he carried the wounds around for the world to see. She didn't know what happened to him, but her heart hurt just looking at the grave look in his chocolate-brown eyes.
"I don't think I want to know why you feel that way, Your Grace. It's been a long day, and I'm going to retire soon. Do you wish to leave a message for my husband?"
"No. I will stop by again another day and catch up with him." He nodded and added, "You’re different. I think I like you. Someday I will figure out where you got that backbone of steel. For now I bid you goodnight."
The duke turned to leave. Gemma watched him walk out the door. After he left, Janie pushed in a cart with tea and a light repast. She sat down on the settee and poured a cup of tea. Absentminded she sipped it as she pondered the odd conversation she had with the duke. Then, she shook her head. She didn't see the point in worrying about the Duke of Huntly. She had more pressing concerns, like how to deal with her husband.
CHAPTER FIVE
Liam had intended to visit his father to give him an update on the situation. Gemma's attitude had him going to his club instead, exactly as she had suggested. Her claws had come out, and she had assumed the worst in him. He tried to explain to her that he needed to see his father, but she kept pushing him away. No one could drive him mad faster than Gemma. She had always been able to make him angrier than anyone else. He took a swig of brandy and set the glass down on the table. What he should do is go home and make love to his new wife, but he had already decided he needed to wait. They didn't have a normal romance or courtship. Liam believed they needed time to adjust before taking that step.
"Met your wife earlier this evening."
Liam looked up at his best friend, Noah, and smiled.
"I see you survived relatively intact, Gemma must be having an off night." The smile left Liam's face to be replaced with a grimace as he regarded his friend. He picked up his glass of brandy and downed the remaining liquid. It burned as it traveled down his throat. His head shook in several involuntary rapid successions.
"That bad?" Noah let out a loud whistle and sat down. He grinned down at Liam and raised his eyebrow. "I found her rather charming."
"She has her moments." Liam ran his finger around the rim of his empty glass. He needed more brandy."Unfortunately I don't get to see them very often."
"Why the hell did you marry her if she's such a harridan?"
"I don't know. I didn't plan it. I just needed to." How do you explain the loss of your mind? That was the only explanation for marrying Gemma. He was only supposed to use the contract as a means of extricating her. Instead, he'd been compelled to marry her. Damned if he understood why. Deep down he believed he'd made the right decision, even if it didn't feel like it was. "I know that doesn't make sense. I can't wrap my head around it myself."
"I admit I was a bit confused to find her in your house. The same chit your father attempted to betroth you to when we were still at Eton. It boggled my mind—thought there might be something nefarious afoot. What gives?"
"Yeah, I never thought I'd marry her either." Liam paused, tilted his head, and considered how to explain it to his best friend. "When I saw her, Alfie had his hand down her dress—I saw red. She drives me insane, but no woman should have to put up with something so bloody awful."
"Bloody hell. You're in love with her," Noah said, shock filling his voice.
Liam's breath seized inside his chest. No, he didn't—couldn't love Gemma. He only married her to protect her. Nothing more...
"Of course not. Don't be absurd. I don't love her. I..."
Noah raised his eyebrow at him with a questioning look in his eyes. No way, no how. Liam did not love Gemma, did he? He had strong feelings for her whenever he found himself in her company. He had simply chalked that up to them disliking each other. What had his father said about it being a different form of passion? Could both his father and Noah be right?
"No, I don't love her," he reiterated. "I'm not sure I even like her."
"Is that why you are here getting drunk?"
Liam nodded. "She got all mad because I had to leave. Acted like I was abandoning
her. I was only going to go see my father. He needed to know what happened."
"So you left your blushing bride to go visit your father?" Noah asked. "It couldn't have waited until the next day?"
Put like that, Liam could see why Gemma had reacted the way she had. He shouldn't have even planned to leave her alone. No reason his father couldn't have waited until the next day to hear the news.
Liam wondered if he'd be surprised that he married Gemma after all.
His father seemed to believe that strong feelings existed between him and his new wife. The blasted man probably would laugh, thinking he was right.Liam would have to disabuse him of that notion rather quickly. The last thing he needed to hear was his father's gloating. He would make sure not to mention how he blundered when he brought her home. His father had a strange sense of humor and would find his predicament hilarious.
"You're right. I messed up. Clearly I've lost my mind and I'm not thinking straight," Liam said in a remorseful voice.
"Damn right, I am." Noah picked up his glass of brandy and took a drink."By and by. She's a spitfire that wife of yours."
"Why do you say that? Did you do something to make her even more livid?" Liam asked. "I've already got to atone for my own blunder, please tell me you didn't make it worse."
"I may have." Noah nodded, guilt filling his eyes. "I couldn't understand why you got married so fast. I expected a cloying manipulative female. Your wife didn't appreciate my methods of determining her worth."
"Oh hell, what did you do?"
If Noah messed things up even worse... Liam would be paying for a long time. He already blundered all on his own. He didn’t need his friends adding onto the situation. Gemma wasn’t likely to forgive him for some time. Bloody hell.
"Not much. Not nearly as much as I could have done," Noah explained. "I only propositioned her a bit. She didn't take the bait though. I'm not sure she likes me after my blatant innuendos."
If Liam hadn't already downed a bottle of brandy, he'd consider starting another one. No, what he should do is punch Noah in the face for even thinking of issuing his wife an unsavory invitation. Liam fumbled forward and almost fell out of his chair. Gripping the table he pushed himself back and leaned against his chair. He clenched his fists together as heat traveled up the back of his neck. Noah's idiotic actions were sure to cause him more trouble once he got home.