Baron of Blasphemy (Lords of Scandal 12)

Another knock sounded at the door, but Vanity, rather than Chad, opened the panel and waved a serving girl forward, her arms loaded up with a tray of food.

They’d had a late breakfast, but that had been hours ago and as the scent of savory beef stew wafted toward her, her mouth began to water.

Vanity looked back at her. “I took the liberty of ordering dinner for you both. I hope you enjoy.” And then he left.

The serving girl slid the tray on a small table and then also turned, leaving Chad and Abigail alone with a tray of food and…the box.

Chad had barely taken his eyes off it and he was glaring at the lid, currently closed with a ribbon.

“Snakes?” she asked, crossing over to where he stood next to the bed.

“What?” He looked up at her, his eyes growing a touch wider as though she’d surprised him.

“In the box. Is it filled with snakes? Locusts? You’re glaring at it as though it’s a harbinger of doom.”

His mouth pressed into a thin line. “Why don’t you open it and see?”

She was next to him now and she could feel his heat seeping through her sleeve. “I don’t think I dare.”

His hand came to her back and he lowered his head to hers. “It’s perfectly safe for you. In fact, I suspect the contents will be rather enjoyable. It only means doom for me.”

That didn’t make any sense at all. She hadn’t been able to hear the two men whispering. And now, she had to confess, she was curious what had caused such discord in her husband. “Shall we eat first?”

“No,” he grimaced. “Let’s get it over with.”

“That bad?” She reached over, flicking the ribbon open and then lifting the lid. A dark blue riding habit was neatly folded in the box. It was simple enough, but she could tell the moment she lifted it up that it was a far better fit than the one she wore. Underneath was a night rail, pantaloons, and stockings.

Chad groaned as he too reached down and picked one of them up. “He thought of everything.”

She lay the dress back down on the bed as she looked at the one she wore. The one she’d denigrated earlier, and she began to understand what had him upset. “If we’re adding columns of pluses and minuses, he provided this one as well. In all its glory.”

One corner of his mouth perked up, but his eyes still looked sad. “It is a rather ugly dress, and yet, he still provided it for you.”

She nibbled on her lip because that was the truth though not how she’d intended it. “We should eat. It’s getting late; it’s been a long day and we’ve another tomorrow.”

“Right,” he answered, turning away from the box. His hand came to her back again as they stepped back over to the small table.

They ate their dinner quietly and, at least for Abigail, the food did wonders to improve her mood.

As they finished, she stretched.

“It’s growing dark. Perhaps we’ll retire in a few? I can step out into the hall and give you some time to wash and dress for bed.”

Bed…

How had she not realized that she was facing her wedding night? The very thing she’d denied him yesterday.

Her breath caught as she nodded. He reached for the tray, carrying it out the door with him, and suddenly, she was in the room alone.

For just a moment, she sat still, looking at the door, wondering what to do first.

But then she jumped from her seat stripping off the brown dress as quickly as she could. Off came the rest of her clothes, which she neatly folded into a pile. They belonged to a woman who’d likely wish for them back.

Then she crossed to the washing bowl and scrubbed herself as best she could. She’d pay a great deal of money for a bath at this moment but…

Washing done, she skidded across the floor on bare feet, then grabbed the new night rail and slid the crisp, clean fabric over her head. Tucking the rest of the new clothes in the box, she set it to the floor and dove under the covers.

Another five minutes passed before Chad stepped back into the room.