The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,39

can commence snuggling.”

As if she wanted to snuggle with him now. He was ruining everything! “What if I insist on going out?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll give strict instructions that the vehicles are not to be taken out.”

Nora resisted the urge to stamp her foot. Or throw something at his stubborn head. “You’re being beastly. I just want to go for a simple ride.” And restore a long-held tradition. As well as create a memory they’d cherish forever. It was their first Yuletide season together after all. It was also Nora’s first away from her sister, a fact she tried not to think about. Today’s festivities would help with that.

Titus leaned back in his chair and looked up at her. “It’s not simple. The ground is saturated. It would be too easy for the barouche to get stuck in the mud. Why don’t you read for a bit, and I’ll join you shortly in the drawing room?” He gave her a bland smile before looking down at his work.

Having been dismissed, Nora stared at his dark head and scowled. She spun on her heel and stalked back to the drawing room where the Satterfields were expectantly waiting. Their faces fell in unison when they saw her.

“What’s wrong?” Lady Satterfield asked, rising from the settee.

“He refuses to go. He spouted some nonsense about my condition and mud.” Nora folded her arms over her chest. “Now what do we do?”

Lord Satterfield, who’d stood with the countess, exhaled. “I’ll talk to him. You both get ready, and we’ll meet you in the entry hall.” He gave them both a look of pure determination before leaving.

“Do you really think he’ll succeed where I failed?” Nora asked, dropping her arms to her sides.

Lady Satterfield patted her arm. “I hope so dear. Otherwise, we’ve gone to a lot of trouble for nothing, and many people will be greatly disappointed.”

Nora prayed that wouldn’t happen.

Titus frowned at the door after Nora had left. He was a beast. He wouldn’t have hesitated to take Nora for a ride, but it was imperative they stay at home today. He would move heaven and earth to give his wife her heart’s desire, which was precisely why he wouldn’t take her out in the barouche.

He winced as he recalled the disappointment in her gaze followed by shock and then anger. He hadn’t meant to patronize her and hoped she’d forgive him. Of course she would. Later today, she’d be too happy to remain upset.

Or so he hoped.

His stepfather walked into his office, his face dark and his mouth turned down. “Why won’t you take Nora for a ride? It’s absolutely beautiful, and she’s been cooped up inside for days.”

Titus stood up. “I just don’t want to go out today. I’ll take her out tomorrow.”

Satterfield, a typically affable fellow, gave him a hard look. “And what if the rain returns? There’s absolutely no reason you can’t go today.”

There was every reason, but he wasn’t going to explain himself to his stepfather. “This is my house, and I’ll decide what reasons are valid.” Titus inwardly flinched—that didn’t sound good or rational even to his ears.

“Would it help to know that your wife has planned a special outing for today and by not going, you’ll be crushing her?”

Hell. A special outing? What was he supposed to do now? He’d planned something special for today, and they could not leave.

Titus walked around his desk as he pushed out a breath. “I didn’t realize. Still, we can’t go today. Can’t we just do this tomorrow?”

“Certainly. If you’d like to sleep alone for the foreseeable future. You’re still a newlywed. You don’t understand a woman’s anger. It is a force unto itself.”

Titus wiped his hand over his brow. “I’m not trying to make her angry.” Damn it all, this was not going as planned.

“We never try, son. Nevertheless, that’s precisely what you’re doing.”

There had to be some sort of middle ground, but Titus couldn’t think of it. “I’m sorry, but we just can’t go today.”

Satterfield glared at him a moment, and Titus wasn’t sure he’d ever seen him that put out. “Then we’ll go without you. You really are the Forbidden Duke, aren’t you? You forbid yourself even the simplest pleasures. Enjoy your solitude.” He turned and strode from the office.

Titus gaped after him. He did like his solitude, but since he’d fallen in love with Nora, he far preferred her company. And actually the company of others he cared for. Including his stepfather.

He followed Satterfield