“You mean…”
“What we mean, my lord,” Juliet―his wife, the one he’d actually betrothed himself to, married and treated lower than dirt―began calmly, “is while you seem to have difficulty believing yourself capable of making an error, you have and you’ve just been caught.”
Patrick stared at her. That was all he could do. For the life of him he couldn’t think of a single coherent thought to voice. He’d been mistaken! He’d really been the one in the wrong! Clearing his throat, he took to his unsteady feet and schooled his features as best he could to keep his face as impassive as possible. “Mr. Hughes,” he began roughly before clearing his throat once again. “I apologize for my earlier statements. Please disregard everything I’ve said today. As agreed before, the loan is forgiven.”
Hughes, who had at some point taken out his snowy white handkerchief and was vigorously dabbing his damp forehead, haphazardly shoved his folded linen in his pocket and stood up, straightening his coat at the same time.
Casting what could only be considered a sympathetic glance at his daughter, the man nodded his agreement and took slow steps in the direction of the door.
Next to Patrick, Juliet whispered something to his daughters. He dropped his gaze just in time to see her use the edge of one of her sleeves to wipe Kate’s eyes before giving her a quick hug and scurrying off to catch Mr. Hughes before he crossed the threshold.
“We’ll be waiting for you here,” Patrick said inanely.
Juliet’s head whipped around to face him so fast he was certain she was going to have a kink in her neck for the rest of the day. “Pardon me?” she asked frigidly, her hands hastily pushing her spectacles back into place.
“Once you’ve seen your family out, return here,” he returned casually.
“I think not.”
“Oh, and where do you plan to spend the rest of your day?”
“At home.”
“You are home.”
A harsh laugh escaped her lips. “No, I’m not. This is your home. I will be spending the afternoon in my home.”
“This is your home,” he said casually, daring her to argue.
She shook her head. “No, my lord, this is your home. Not mine.”
“And why is that?”
She looked at him strangely. “Not five minutes ago you announced our marriage was to be annulled. And while I’m sure I might need to be present to sign a paper or two, I’m sure arrangements can be made that will allow you to come to my father’s cottage in order for me to sign the papers. You do remember where that is, don’t you?”
“Yes, I remember your father’s direction,” he answered testily. “But that is of no account. There will not be an annulment; therefore, there is no need for you to go back to your father’s house.” His words came out smooth and easy, belying the inner turmoil swirling within him.
“But why?” she asked in a strangled cry.
He shrugged. “As you so kindly pointed out, I married the correct person.”
Her slate grey eyes pierced him in a way that made him, lord of the manor, feel uncomfortable. “You may have married me, but you didn’t wish to. And since you are so set on an annulment, that is exactly what you shall have. I see no reason to stay here until all the formalities can be dealt with. It would damage my reputation.”
He scoffed. Her reputation wouldn’t be in any danger staying here with him. Besides, no matter how much she wanted to push him, an annulment was not going to happen. “As I’ve said, I married the right woman. There will not be an annulment. Go see your family out and return here when you’re finished. We have much to discuss, Lady Drakely.” He wasn’t sure who winced more upon hearing her name. He presumed she didn’t like to be called that after the horrible treatment she’d received from her new husband; and he’d be lying if he didn’t acknowledge it was hard to call a woman other than Abigail Lady Drakely.
Steeling her spine and not even bothering to flash a halfway cordial smile in his direction, Juliet nodded curtly. She murmured something to her father, then the pair left the room.
“Is she coming back?” Celia blurted as soon as Juliet and Mr. Hughes were out the door.
“Yes,” he answered confidently. Whether she came back on her own accord or he had to chase her down, he wasn’t sure which, but one thing he was sure of was she was coming back. She was his wife and for as much as she may not like it, she was going to remain his wife. She was right when she had said she wasn’t the woman he’d expected to see beneath the veil, but on paper, she was the right woman and that’s all that mattered.