Page 69 of Courting Claudia

It must have been easy for Kennington to get his snares in Richard at the time. He’d been starved for power and wealth. Richard had probably banked on Kennington’s status aiding him in advancing politically.

Everything made sense now. Everything was more complicated now. How was Derrick supposed to explain to his wife that her father was the man responsible for all these crimes?

He couldn’t. She wouldn’t believe him. Her loyalty to her father was too strong. Derrick needed to wait until he knew Claudia’s loyalty to him was secure. To see her father for what he was, she needed some distance. But before she could do that, she needed to learn to trust herself.

Taking Claudia to the country to keep her mind off her father and on her new husband was the only solution. Teaching her to trust him would be easy, Derrick realized. It was teaching her to trust herself that would prove his greatest challenge.

She’d had it practically beaten into her that she was always wrong, no matter the circumstances.

She needed to let herself go, to give in to her feelings and her desires. Once she learned to do that, she would learn to trust herself.

Then he could risk sharing the truth about her father.

Chapter 15

Two hours later Claudia found herself in the carriage on the way to Derrick’s country estate. She had packed as quickly as she could, eager to see her new home. She’d only seen the house from a distance the day they rode, but if it was in as good shape as the stable, it would be a palace.

“We need to have a conversation about the kind of wife I expect you to be.”

Married less than two days, and she’d already done something wrong. Why else would he bring this up?

“I realize you were raised to believe that wives are supposed to behave in a certain fashion.”

“Yes. My mother taught me a lot before she died, and my father continued that education as much as he was able.”

“I want you to forget everything they told you. This is our marriage, and we’ll live it the way we choose.”

“But—”

“I know what kind of wife they instructed you to be, and that’s not what I want. Mousy, quiet, and without opinions are traits that do not suit you. You’re a passionate woman, and I expect to see that fire.” He met her gaze. “In the bedroom and out.”

“But what if we disagree about something?”

“Then we shall argue about it.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think arguing solves anything.”

“Perhaps not, but after the argument comes the making up, and that is what I’ll look forward to.” He winked at her. “Perhaps I’ll even start arguments for that very reason.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Is that a challenge?”

She shook her head. “No.”

He just sat there grinning at her.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re really quite beautiful. I hadn’t thought so at first.”

She frowned. “I’m not certain that was a compliment,” she said.

“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I always knew you were an attractive woman, but you’re more beautiful than I’d first realized.”

She knew her mouth hung open, and she tried to close it, but couldn’t. So instead she dug for something clever to say. “You no longer have to court me to gain my favor. I’m your wife. You can cease your silly compliments. Frankly, you were never very good at them.”

He cocked one eyebrow. “Indeed? I seem to recall my wretched excuse for poetry being quite effective that day in the garden.”