Free Web NovelChapter 8: Do Your Heart Some Good
SOPHIA
"How could I embarrass you? No one seems to realize that we are lawfully wed. Perhaps they think Penelope is your new bride." I knew very well that’s what people thought. It’s one of the reasons Penelope was able to bully me so badly at the Hunter’s Ball in my previous life. She was an expert at muddying the waters. No one believed I was the actual Mrs. Willowmarch.
"Don’t sulk," said Jace. "What’s this outfit you’re wearing?"
The tone in his voice was odd. I looked at him, confused. He moved quickly, grasping my hips and pulling me into his embrace. "I’ve been negligent as a husband. I shall remedy that when we go home." He leaned down, and I saw the desire in his gaze.
What the hell was this? I’d never seen Jace look at me as though I was a piece of candy he wanted to savor. What was happening right now? He wanted me? Like a man wants a woman? No. No. I put my hands on his chest and tried to push out of his embrace.
He wasn’t having it. His arms tightened around me. "I’ve never even kissed you properly," he murmured.
He was stronger than I, so he easily broke my resistance and pressed me against his chest. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt panic well within me.
He really was going to kiss me.
If this had happened in my previous life, I would’ve been thrilled. I’d loved him so much. I had wanted badly to be a true wife, and the mother of his children. It had been an ache in my soul. Especially as I watched Penelope experience the love and affection that should’ve been mine. A fact she flaunted at every opportunity.
He loved her.
And she had killed me.
"No," I said, desperate.
"No?" He grabbed my arms and held my wrists in one hand. "You cannot deny me, Sophia. I’m your husband."
"I don’t want you anymore, Jace."
He laughed. "Liar."
"I want a divorce!"
My words shocked him enough that he stopped trying to kiss me, but he didn’t release me, either.
"Divorce?" He shook his head. "Stop playing these games, Sophia. Did I not just say I would fulfill my husbandly duties tonight? You’ve caught my attention." His gaze dropped to my dress, and he licked his lips. "Where did you get this outfit? It’s quite beautiful."
What should I say? Duke Stonehart sent it to me as a wedding gift? Huh. Perhaps I should. Perhaps saying those words would anger Jace enough that he would release me.
What man would be happy that his wife was wearing the clothes another man bought her?
The next thing I knew, Jace pulled the dress off my shoulder and kissed the flesh. The wet feel of his lips sent revulsion shuddering through me.
"You smell so good," he murmured, dragging his mouth up my neck. "I wonder how you taste."
Hah! If his mouth got anywhere near mine, I would bite his tongue off.
"Sophia," he murmured. "Your skin is like silk."
His lips glided over my cheekbone, and I knew this bastard would try to kiss me.
At our wedding, he’d only bussed my cheek. Prior to our wedding, we hadn’t done a single improper thing. Our closest intimate contact was holding hands occasionally.
I would not give my first kiss to Jace Willowmarch.
He didn’t deserve it.
The door to the parlor opened, and Penelope Shire stood in the doorway staring at us. I could feel her hatred all the way to my soul. Her gaze held so much fury, I thought she might have aneurysm on the spot.
"Jace," she said through gritted teeth. "What are you doing?"
My husband jumped away from me as if I had suddenly caught fire. He actually looked guilty. Guilty. For intimacy with his wife? Not that I needed the reminder that Jace was an asshole, but wow. Really? He was worried about offending the mistress?
If I wasn’t so relieved that he’d finally let me go, I might well be hurt by his actions. Okay, I wouldn’t. Because I no longer cared about Jace, his whore, or our marriage. My goal was to divorce Jace and leave Amaranth Manor. I didn’t want my life to turn out the same as it had before.
And I sure as hell didn’t want to die again. freёweɓnovel.com
"Penelope," said Jace, smiling. He straightened his jacket and pulled on the cuffs. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you. The hunt will begin soon." Her puffy skirt with its gold trim and gaudy gems swished as she waddled into the room. It really was difficult to walk in those things. Why did noblewomen insist on wearing the contraptions?
I would never stuff myself into one of those awful things again. No more corsets for Sophia Pagemoore, thank you very much.
Penelope saw me looking at her and smiled winsomely. "Jace bought it especially for me," she bragged. "It’s the latest style, at least in the Capital."
Her wig was filled with intricate braids and dotted with gems and thick gold hair pins. Her white makeup with blood-red lips and rouged cheeks might’ve been pretty if she were, say, a circus performer.
However, nearly every lady here wore the same style of clothing, wig, make-up, and shoes. Competing with each other like prideful geese waddling and screeching for attention.
Jace looked at her, and then his gaze slid toward me. I saw him clock the differences in our attire. He also spent too much time looking at my hair. Compared to the ornate fakery of Penelope’s black-haired wig, my simple style with its sparse hair trinkets and diamond dust was the difference between a clown and a queen.
Guess who the clown was?
Perhaps she was feeling a bit insecure as she grabbed my husband’s arm and turned a vicious smile at me. "You’re very plain this evening, Sophia," she said, clucking. "Did you not have time to dress properly?"
"Nope," I said. "I just threw this ensemble together last minute. But you know what? I can take a breath. Look." I inhaled deeply and exhaled with a long whoosh. "See? And I will soon eat my fill of petit fours and quiches. How about you?"
