He nodded at her and then shifted his gaze to Agnes, who tried not to flinch beneath his cold stare.
“Follow me,” he said and started to walk ahead.
“What – wait a minute –”
He turned back, silently challenging her to make a fuss, and she forced herself to be quiet, remembering that she really needed him in order to get her sisters back, and she had already made enough mistakes with him as it stood. So she inhaled deeply and clasped her hands together in front of her, pulling herself up to her full height.
“Lead the way, Your Grace.”
Chapter Four
Agnes followed him through the corridors, trying to keep up with his brisk pace as he led her to his study.
This… this was not how she had expected this day to go. As much as she had tried not to orchestrate any sort of plans that involved her performing certain actions or using specific words in order to charm him as her godmother had suggested, she had hoped that they would have been able to meet properly and speak freely.
But then they had argued and even –
She shook her head, chasing away the thought of his lips on hers, willing herself not to falter or back down from her initial wishes.
Nothing had changed; she still needed him to reunite with her sisters, and this marriage was something she needed to see through till the end. They both shared responsibility for theirfight on the road and so, the wisest thing to do would be to start afresh.
She only hoped he saw it that way, too.
Finally, they arrived at the study, and he opened the door for her, urging her inside. She walked in, startled when he shut the door loudly behind them and locked it, moving to the table that held bottles of spirits and wine. He plucked a bottle of whiskey from the tray and poured himself a glass, downing it right away and pouring another.
She regarded him for a moment and then asked,
“Will you not offer me a drink as well?”
Silas snorted, lifting the glass to his lips.
“This liquor is far too strong for someone as delicate as yourself. Perhaps some sherry or lemonade would suit you better.”
Anger bubbled up in her chest and spread quickly, setting her tongue loose as she stepped closer to him.
“You really are an incorrigible petty man. I’d hoped that it was the situation that had urged you to speak the way you had to me earlier, but as it turns out, you are simply nonchalant and rude at every chance you get,” she snapped.
“And you are far too opinionated about things you know nothing about. Perhaps if you had simply minded your concerns, things would be a lot smoother for us right now. But your insistence to be heard, to speak, is a tiring trait that I will not be so tolerant of – especially if we are to be married.”
“So I am to just stay mum about the fact that you are discourteous and disrespectful? How is our marriage supposed to thrive like that?” she questioned with wide eyes.
Silas sighed, looking as though he would rather do anything, be anywhere else than right there with her.
“I do not know what your motivations were for this marriage, but I have my reasons that have led me to this decision. And despite your grating voice and inability to be agreeable, I will keep my word and still marry the eldest spinster daughter of the late Earl of Lockheart,” He held up a hand as her lips parted and continued to speak, “However, our marriage will be one that is only official on paper, void of any connection or relations outside that.”
Silas paused, waiting for her to react the way she seemed to do with everything else – noisily and strongly. But she just stared back at him and nodded, slowly and surely.
“If that is what you wish, then I am fine with that.”
He frowned, unable to keep himself from asking, “You are?”
“I am. Because I, too, have something to gain from this marriage. I have two younger sisters, and we were separated two years ago. If you give me your word that you will help me reconnect with my sisters, I will marry you,” she said calmly.
Her lack of disappointment was surprising, but Silas decided not to look the gift horse in the mouth, accepting her terms and the ease that came with finally being able to settle on one thing with her without arguing.
“You have my word,” he replied, holding his hand out.
She glanced at it, almost hesitating, and then reached out to shake his hand, her smaller fingers curling around his gently. Silas found himself holding onto her for longer than he needed to, drawn to the softness of her skin, almost disappointed when she pulled away.