ten full seconds before curdling

d, a smirk twisting his lips. "A

saying. It means I will n

illing the room. His eyes landed on her writing desk, on the neat stacks of papers she

unt your pennies, then threaten to leave. This is

g him. Her silence infuriate

marriage!" He jabbed a finger at her, voice dripping with contempt. "You think I don't know? Your father, begging

alms. It was the truth, a gild

itle, the prestige of being future Duchess of Blackwood. And now you want to back out?" He leaned in, his voice dropping t

ou should look at yourself for the reason. You're like a col

blow. A cold numbness

e you? Nothing. The disgraced daughter of a min

in her throat and Kian watching her die. For three weeks, the same cold anger had carried her through every mi

eeting his with a hard clar

not call

nished, Duk

m flinch as if she'd slapped him. She addres

am cold, unwanted, talentless, and worth nothing without your name. Sharin

ant smile tou

lieve you of this unbearable wife,

ession h

I had no idea my worthlessness

t my words,"

You have made the

quest, Your Grace. I am not asking you to surrender anything valuable. I am offering to remo

the mockery in her ga

ed to imprison a worthless woman merel

tion of war. It enraged him

. "You wish!" His face contorted with fury. "This ma

ways out, Adeline. In a coffin, or with my expl

hip hitting the sharp corner of the vanity.

on his heel, strode out, and slammed

down the hall, then slowly pushed herself upright, one ha

s was no longer a marriage he inten

o

not be negotiated. It would