that’s how it works.’
‘So that’s why being respectable is so important to you? It’s not just to convince Mr Harper to sell?’
He heaved a sigh. ‘It’s important because I’ve heard enough insults in my life, Ianthe. I’ve had my fill of rumour and gossip. I won’t give anyone the chance to spread any more about me. That’s why respectability matters.’
‘But...’ Her voice trailed away as if she were about to burst into tears.
‘What is it?’ Robert frowned across the table. Why was she so shocked? She knew that he was illegitimate. Surely she might have guessed how his mother had been treated, too—the names she’d been called. Or was she so horrified by the connection?
‘I thought you only wanted a respectable wife to impress Mr Harper.’
Her voice was so faint that he had to strain to hear it.
‘I do.’
‘Someone to teach your ward and make calls—that was what you said.’
‘It was. It is.’
‘You didn’t say anything about gossip.’
His frown deepened. ‘That’s all in the past, Ianthe.’
She pushed her chair back abruptly. ‘I think I’ve had enough to eat. Everything was delicious, but I’m tired. I’d like to go to bed.’
‘Again?’ He looked at her sceptically, but she was already heading for the door.
‘I’m sorry.’ She turned slightly in the doorway, though she seemed reluctant to look him in the eye. ‘Will I see you in the morning?’
‘No.’ He reached for the crystal decanter in the middle of the table, pouring himself a large glass of wine. He had intended to breakfast with her, but now an extra hour at the shipyard seemed a far more appealing idea. ‘Mrs Baxter will help you with anything you need while I’m away.’
‘Then have a good journey.’ She was already halfway through the door. ‘Goodnight.’
He didn’t bother to answer, waiting until the door had closed completely before draining his glass and hurling it violently into the fireplace.
What had gone wrong? One minute they’d been talking about the shipyard and the next she was running away! Because of his mother? He balled his hands into fists at the thought. He’d told her that he had no intention of discussing his past, that it was somewhat less than salubrious, but he’d assumed that she’d find out the details on her own. She’d had three months to do so! The short engagement that she’d wanted! Why hadn’t Kitty told her? Typical if this was the one time Giles’s wife had actually managed to be discreet!
He glowered at the door as if she were still standing in front of it. So much for respectability. His own wife seemed mortified at the thought of being married to him. It was just like Louisa had said. No respectable woman would want to be associated with a man with his past. Somehow he’d thought better of Ianthe, but she was just like everyone else, assuming the worst, first about Matthew, then his mother, too!
Well, if she didn’t like her situation, it wasn’t his fault. He’d told her to make enquiries. Too bad if she hadn’t followed his advice.
From now on their marriage would be what it was supposed to be in the first place. A business arrangement.
Chapter Eleven
‘What about geography? Do you like that?’
Ianthe gestured towards a large globe by the window, repressing a sigh as Matthew shrugged for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning.
She gritted her teeth, glancing around the room for any other sources of inspiration. After two days, all she’d managed to learn about her new pupil was that whilst he was adequate at reading and writing, he was ambivalent about art, literature and almost every other subject she could think of, with no enthusiasm for anything—least of all her.
She was only relieved that her new husband wasn’t there to witness her failure. His absence was a respite in more ways than one. After what he’d told her about his mother and the importance of respectability, she’d needed space to decide what to do next. She’d known that running out of the dining room had offended him, but if she’d stayed she might have blurted the truth out there and then.
Why hadn’t he told her before? He’d said that he wanted a respectable bride, not some paragon of virtue! She could never live up to that! If she’d known why being respectable meant so much to him, she would never have married him, Sir Charles or not! She’d thought that the worst that might happen was that Harper would refuse to sell his shipyard. Now she felt as though she were living with a sword over her head. If the truth about her past ever came out, there’d be more gossip than he knew what to do with!
Not that it was entirely her fault. If he’d only visited her during their engagement then they might have discussed it. She could have called off the wedding. Whereas now... She heaved a sigh. Even if she told him about Albert now, what good would it do? The truth would only drive a further wedge between them. No, it was too late either to tell him or to back out...
‘Are we finished?’ Matthew’s voice broke through her reverie.