The Inconvenient Duchess

women collapse, shrieking in joy for mere baubles…’
    ‘Your mistresses, perhaps, are easily swayed by any attention you give them. And if you are foolish enough to expect such immodest and mercenary displays, then perhaps you should return to them. But I am your wife and should not have to fall prostrate in ecstasy whenever you deign to bless me with your company.’
    He exploded in an oath and threw the shoe he’d been holding to the floor. ‘No, of course not. Why would I expect that my wife might be the least bit glad to see me? Why would I expect a sincere welcome in my own house? Toadying to my title—well, of course I’ll be allowed that. But no offer of warmth or friendship is to be unpunished. Very well, then, let us get on as you would choose. As your husband and a duke, I order you to burn every stitch of clothing you brought with you to this house and wear the things I’ve purchased for you or, so help me, I’ll lock you in your room. Good day, madam.’ He strode past her through the adjoining door and slammed it so hard that the pictures on the walls swayed. A few seconds later, she heard him slam the door to his room as well, and stride down the hall, no doubt looking for other doors to slam.
    She sat on the bed, surrounded by silks and ribbons and numb with shock. The interview in the study had gone so well, and she’d been lulled into a vision of what she’d thought their relationship might be. Passionless, perhaps, but they would deal well with each other. And if he felt the need to jaunt off to London on their wedding night, without a word of explanation, leaving her alone to fight off the lecherous advances of his brother, and then to reappear without warning, it was no concern of hers. Hers would be the running of the household, his the running of the lands. They’d hardly see each other. Except at night, when…
    She got up off the bed and sat in a chair.
    And if none of it mattered to her, why had she just banished him from the bedroom and for bringing her gifts?
    Because he’d ordered her to do things. First he’d ordered her not to be subservient; then he’d continued to order her to burn her clothes.
    Which were ill-fitting rags. That she hated.
    ‘Your Grace?’ Polly’s head poked around the door of the bedroom. She’d no doubt heard the end of the exchange, as had people in the neighbouring villages. The last door slamwas probably strong enough to frighten wildlife in adjoining counties.
    ‘Yes, Polly?’ She succeeded in keeping the tremor out of her voice when she spoke.
    ‘May I get on with the unpacking now?’
    She smiled with more confidence than she felt. ‘Yes, Polly. That would be most helpful.’
    ‘And can I lay out a dress for your Grace, for luncheon? The green one, perhaps?’
    Polly liked the green one. She could tell. But after the storm she’d just witnessed, it would serve him right if she showed up at the luncheon table wearing the same dress she had on. And let him rage on and storm out of luncheon, too. He could go without eating for all she cared and see if it improved his temper any. She raised a hand to her curls, wishing they’d grow long again, just out of spite.
    Rip.
    The sleeve of her dress, already weakened from turning and years of hard labour, finally gave up the ghost, and she felt the draft as her elbow poked through the unmendable hole.
    ‘All right, Polly. The green one. And burn this.’

    He stared towards her room through the ceiling of his study, overcome with frustration. How was he to manage with such a woman when she provoked him at every turn? He’d thought she would have at least something in common with Bethany and all the other women of his acquaintance, that the clothing would send her into fits of feminine joy. He could then lay the prize of her father’s safety at her feet, and have a purring kitten of contentment for the rest of his life.
    He had not expected to see the first part of the offeringviewed with such suspicion, and the gift of his house, his lands, and his title, ‘and all his worldly goods endow’ treated as a great sacrifice that she must endure.
    He shuddered to think what it would be like when they got to the part of the vow that required him with his body her to worship. If she held her current attitude, it would be an uncomfortable experience.
    And telling her now that he knew all and her father would visit at Christmas might be the most effective way to bring her quickly to heel, but not