Edmond didn’t know what he had expected upon his return. Maybe a silent wife, refusing to acknowledge his presence, much less speak to him? Or an enraged one, throwing his antiques against the mantle in outrage? Either option would not have come as a surprise. However, when he walked in through the door, he stopped in his tracks as delighted laughter reached his ears, and his feet turned toward the front drawing room of their own accord.
Step by step he inched closer until his ear was pressed to the door. As muffled as their voices were, he was certain one of the two women was his wife. Her melodious laughter echoed through the door, vibrant and intoxicating, and he almost ripped open the door, fearing that what he heard was after all only an illusion.
But he stopped himself, knowing that his presence would kill his wife’s laughter instantly. She was not aware of his return yet, which was probably the only reason for her to be in such high spirits. A lump settled in his throat as Rosabel’s words echoed through his mind. How was he to start? Be yourself, Rosabel had said. And yet he had been himself all along, and it hadn’t made the slightest difference.
“Welcome home, your grace,” a voice spoke behind him, and Edmond froze.
As did the voices on the other side of the door.
Turning around, Edmond nodded at his butler. “Thank you, Rossman.”
Doing his utmost to sneak back into his townhouse to catch an untainted glimpse of his unsuspecting wife, which had seemed so promising only a moment ago, Edmond felt disheartened as every chance of a cordial greeting shattered like a vase hitting the wall when the door to the drawing room opened.
Face once again in a scowl, she eyed him with disapproval. “You have returned,” was all she said, but Edmond heard the accusation ringing in her voice. Rosabel had been right; by leaving he had made things worse.
Completely focused on his wife, Edmond only now noticed the woman standing beside Anna. Although otherwise cursed with an inconspicuous appearance, the disgust in her eyes was far more pronounced than his wife’s; as though her hatred of him ran far deeper. The cold with which she regarded him sent a shiver down his back, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he had any chance of reconciliation with his wife as long as she kept this woman’s company.
***
After seeing Henrietta to the door, Anna returned to the drawing room where, unfortunately, her husband was waiting patiently. “I did not expect to see you so soon,” she said, voice uninterested; she could see its effects in the exasperated expression on his face. Serves him right, she thought.
“I had no intention of staying away.” Although he met her eyes, there was something about him that told her he was lying. Why had he returned? After their last encounter, she had assumed he would have finally given up. After all, what more was there to say?
“Well then, welcome back,” she said with as much warmth as she would have shown a condemned criminal and turned to walk away.
Before she could take two steps, a hand wrapped around her upper arm, stopping her. “Wait! I need to speak with you.”
Eyes searching his face, she shook her head. “What more is there to say? I’m afraid, my lord, you are wasting your time.”
“Yes, I’m starting to believe so too,” he mumbled as though to himself, before meeting her eyes again. “Listen, since neither one of us wants a divorce, we are stuck in this marriage with one another, whether we like it or not.” Anna snorted, which made him shake his head. “However, I do not intend to continue this animosity between us. Whether you admit it or not, you cannot want this either. Whatever happened happened. We cannot change that. Do you really intend to be miserable for the rest of your life?”
Not feeling nearly as strong as the smile that lit up her face, Anna said, “It is you who is miserable. I, on the other hand, am getting exactly what I want.”
A frown drew down his brows. “And what is that?”
As though wishing to share a secret, Anna leaned forward and whispered, “Revenge.”
***
“Are you mad, woman?” Edmond blurted out. Watching the smile on her face split into a slightly distorted grin, he shook his head. Was she insane? Was there even any chance for him to reason with her? “Revenge for what?”
Now it was her turn to shake her head. “For ruining my life.”
“Is this truly your opinion?”
“It is,” she hissed. “Everything I had, everything I ever dreamed of is now in ruins, and all because of you. Because of your decadent life and complete disregard for a moderate lifestyle.” She laughed, sounding almost hysterical. “You are bankrupt, but I have to pay the price. Not you. Never you.”
Stepping forward, he grabbed her by the shoulders and brought his face closer to hers.
Instantly, she froze.
“I have apologised for the way things turned out before,” he said, carefully watching her eyes. “I will not do so again. You are not a child, but a grown woman. It is time for you to accept reality and move on. For I cannot believe that you truly wish for your life to continue this way. As much as you might loathe the very sight of me, does revenge really give you happiness?”
Eyes not veering from his, she swallowed. “I have given up on happiness long ago. All I want now is…” Her words trailed off, and she took a deep breath. For a second he thought her gaze had travelled down to his lips.
“Is what?” he whispered, searching her face with equal frankness.
Her eyes snapped wide open, and the intimacy he had thought to feel for the barest of seconds slipped away. “Let go of me!” she hissed, trying to free herself from his grasp. “I told you not to touch me!”
“Why?” he asked, releasing her. “Because you might like it, and that would threaten your resolve to follow through with your childish plans?” Before she could say a word in outrage, he advanced on her, feeling the blood boil in his veins. “Maybe I should just…” His lips pressed into a thin line.
“Just what?” she asked, eyes widening as his ravenous gaze slid over her body. “You wouldn’t dare!”
He laughed. “Believe me, my lady, I would dare a lot!” Taking another step closer, he trapped her against the wall. Enjoying the feel of her body pressed against his, he smiled. “Do not worry. I won’t bite.”
Her arms came up to keep him away. “I cannot promise you the same, my lord.” She swallowed as her chest rose and fell with her rapid breathing.
A smile curved up his lips as he looked at her. “You are a little vixen, are you not?” he whispered, leaning closer.
Her hands pressed into his chest, forcing a distance between them that he didn’t much care for. “I told you I would not give you an heir.”
Again he smiled. “Believe me, my little vixen, an heir is the farthest thing from my mind right now.” Ignoring her hands, he leaned into her, arms pulling her closer, until, to his surprise, her resistance vanished. Gazing into her eyes, Edmond smiled…before a dull pain penetrated his head, and the world went dark.