Chapter VI

Christian was having a bad afternoon. All day, his thoughts had revolved around a single female. Damn it! He had thought himself stronger, but no, he had fallen into her trap from the very beginning. What was it about her that made him lose all reason? All sense? She just had to bat her long lashes at him and he was at her feet, panting like a dog and awaiting her orders. He could not believe that he had accepted her infuriating proposition. He continued to chide himself for his weakness and as he entered his town house he did not even mind his maid telling him he had a guest. He was determined to see his wife and clarify some things, especially who was the one in charge in this marriage. She would not wrap her dainty fingers around him and spin him as she wish. As he opened the door that lead to the library, the first thing that greeted him was the back of a man. A man who was clearly holding his wife's hands rather intimately. He saw red. They weren't even married for a full day and she had already invited a lover here? He was seething, and with the single goal of killing the man and strangling his lady wife, he strode into the room.

Eva was so happy that Robert somehow understood her, that he did not ask any more questions and just accepted her as she was. She could not contain her joy so she hugged him. It was highly improper, she knew, but he was her friend now. Her very first friend. How was one not to show emotion in such a situation? She was well over the moon. So caught up in her emotions was she that she noticed her husband in the doorway a second too late. He looked sinister. His face sported a scowl and a very menacing gaze. This couldn't be good! She looked at Robert worriedly and only when he noticed her wide eyes did he turn around. Her husband was already coming towards them.

"Dunham" Robert greeted his friend and smiled, but all that greeted him was a punch.

"You bastard!" Christian spat as madness overtook him. Robert fell down and hit his head against the sofa. Eva was quick to come to his aid, which only managed to incite Christian's wrath even more.

"What is the matter with you?"She asked of her husband, while checking her friend's injuries.

"Robert, does your head hurt? "She asked, her voice full of concern.

"Oh, so you are on a first name basis? "He laughed sinisterly at her.

"Was that before or after you screwed him?"

"Husband, there is nothing between Lord Ashton and I" Eva decided to explain everything cerebrally, without letting out that his words had torn through her heart.

"I have only made his acquaintance moments earlier and he has been kind enough to offer me his friendship."

"So am I to understand that this…friendship of yours involves intimate touches? "He asked cynically

"I was just thanking him for his support since… "She stammered. "Since I've never had a friend before…"

"I think you've had more than enough friends, wife, and you know better than anyone to what I am referring. Please remove yourself to your rooms, we shall talk later about this. For now I have to handle another issue." he said as he looked at Robert, who was trying to stand up.

Eve, afraid of her husband's reaction if she contradicted him, left the room and hurried to her chambers.

"Man, you were completely out of line" Robert complained to his friend. You misunderstood everything. I was not trying to make a pass at your wife, for God's sake. I thought you knew me better than that."

Christian sat on the armchair nearest to him and sighed.

"I guess I overreacted." he just said. Robert knew his friend was too damn proud to admit to having made an error.

"Yes, you did. But what the hell is wrong with you, you are usually so…composed"

"She's put a spell on me. I am sure!"

"Dunham, I've known you for nearly twenty years and you have never once shown a predilection for the supernatural. What is wrong?"

"She's wrong. I'm telling you, she's a witch. I have never in my life been so rash when it comes to women. She has me eating from her palm no matter how much I try to resist. It's that damn innocent look she has most of the times."

Robert regarded his friend skeptically. He knew all about his hatred of being controlled. Especially after the debacle with his mother… He also knew how composed and calculated his friend usually was. But he also thought about Eva. She was a sweetheart, definitely no witch. His friend may have found something… something very precious. He only hoped his friend would realize the truth before he alienated Eva forever. Robert only wished he was so lucky, but his dreams had come to an end with Isabella's betrayal and consequent marriage. She had been the world for him, but it seemed that a second son was not enough for her…

"I can read the pity on your face, you know…"Christian interrupted his thoughts.

"Dunham, I'll tell you this, and I will tell you only once. Your wife is a gem. Maybe a little bit unpolished but a gem nonetheless. I don't know the specifics of what happened in her past but I am willing to bet that she's still suffering for it. Or at least that was my impression upon meeting her. Don't let your misconceptions cause a rift between you two… You'll regret it."

"Old chap, what are you sputtering? I don't care if she's had a million lovers, I told you before. This is a marriage of convenience and nothing more. I get her money and she gets my title. It's a fair bargain."

"I think that you care, and that's what's eating you."

Christian did not respond. He just regarded his friend for a while. He couldn't possibly be right. He didn't care and he would continue not caring. It was what he did best and some little creature who just happened to be his wife would not change that. To escape his friend's probing glance, he stood up and asked him to join him for a drink in his study and discuss some business propositions.

He did not care! He assured himself once more, and yet Robert's words had never sounded truer.