His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) by Hazel Statham Read Free Book Online

would be easiest if you left the east wing completely alone.”
    Caroline smiled at his thought that she would wish to make changes to his beautiful home. “I have no desire whatsoever to alter anything in the house. It is so very elegant and I have little knowledge of what would suit. I would change nothing.”
    “Not even the hangings?” He chuckled and raised his brow. “Now, this is very un-wifely. Most new brides indulge in a fervor of refurbishment. I have heard tales where husbands have been banished to their clubs for fear they should interfere with their wife’s orderings.”
    “You may have no fear on that head, sir. I would make no decisions without your full approval. Therefore you would need to remain.”
    He appeared to study her for a moment, a profound look in his eyes but when she looked at him enquiringly, he turned to contemplating the glass of wine before him. “You are very young, my dear,” he said in a quiet tone. “I hope I haven’t thrust too heavy a responsibility on your shoulders. My reasons for marriage were entirely selfish and over the past few days, I have wondered whether I have treated you fairly. Are you entirely satisfied with the arrangement?”
    “Entirely, sir,” she replied. “I would not have agreed to marry you had it been otherwise. I too, in my turn, have been selfish.” She would not tell him the extent of her selfishness, how even after so short an acquaintance, the thought of being separated from him had affected her so. His proposal had presented the reprieve for which she had not dared hope. Together they had gone to her aunt and informed her of their intention of marrying, being not at all surprise at her disinterest in the subject, and had returned to London with a clear conscience, knowing they had not deprived her of a companion.
    “Did you mind so very much not having the pomp and ceremony of a London wedding?” he continued, oblivious of her musings. “You must understand that I had that kind of wedding before and … well….” No, he would not think of Elizabeth at this moment, he could not, it was not right!
    “I much preferred the simple ceremony we had here in the chapel,” she replied, smiling shyly at the memory of the intimate service. “I don’t care for a great number of people. They unnerve me.”
    “You will become more used to company as time goes on,” he assured, reaching across the table and patting her hand absentmindedly. The unbidden thoughts of Elizabeth had marred the intimacy of the moment, bringing, as they always did, feelings of torment.
    Caroline saw the look of withdrawal that came over his face, and her heart sank.
    Taking his new wife completely by surprise he sat back almost nonchalantly in his chair, his eyes taking on a cold look and his tone altering. “It has been a long and tiring day for you, my dear. The hour is late. Pray don’t let me keep you from your repose.”
    Seeing this as a dismissal from his company, Caroline rose from the table in stunned silence. He too rose, making a short, formal bow before resuming his seat. Dropping his eyes before her wounded gaze, he confined his attention to refilling his glass from the decanter that stood at his elbow, not wishing to see the effect his words had had on her.
    “I will wish you good night then, sir,” she said in a small voice.
    Still not raising his eyes, he nodded briefly in response—no more.
    Bewildered, she turned and hastened from the room, leaving him to sit alone over his wine in the intimacy of the small salon.
     
    *****
     
    Throwing herself onto her bed, Caroline cried as if her heart was breaking. She had not known what to expect, but this sudden cold indifference proved harder to bear than she had thought possible.
    There had existed a certain degree of cordiality between them during the time between the proposal and the marriage. This she had come to expect, even take pleasure in. She could not comprehend what had prompted him to change so