When I entered the large house I saw Arthur filing through mail at the hall table.
Kim came around the corner and immediately took my gloves and jacket.
"How was your walk, m'..." she stopped herself remembering my wishes. "Lilly." She corrected.
"It was good," I admitted. "I was able to explore and I met a friend."
Arthur grunted something but I did not bother asking him to repeat.
"What's for dinner?" I asked. "I was thinking I may go out if Cookie hasn't prepared anything yet."
Arthur's brow furrowed.
"Going out where?"
"Does it matter?" I asked once Kim left the hall to talk to Cookie.
He sighed and reeled in his frustration.
"I was going to ask if you would like to go to dinner with me."
My heart started to beat faster. Maybe he was trying.
"Just you?" I hoped.
He shook his head, "a few peers are going out tonight and I'm expected to join. I have a lot of work to catch up on before we leave Friday."
There it was. He wanted arm candy.
"No, thank you," I murmured and went up the stairs but he caught my hand half way up.
"Fine," he conceded. "But for the future I prefer you wear your ring, Lady MacAllistair. You'll use my name but no wear my ring."
"I had to get a new visa today and they required my marriage license, Paeton was behind me in queue paying a parking ticket. She just assumed," I explained. "And I thought we had been clear. This is not a real marriage. I may be stuck here but I refuse to wear a yolk." I could feel the anger radiate off of him.
"And when did we decide this?" He was behaving indignantly.
I laughed harshly.
"From the moment I stepped on British soil, you were very adamant that I was merely a nuisance."
He seemed almost hurt. "And how did I portray that?"
I raised my eyebrow, taking on his mannerisms.
"Your coldness and silence speak volumes. Perhaps it wasn't what you said but what you didn't say."
He growled and rolled his eyes. "Perhaps I should be more upfront then."
This does not sound good.
He stared me down, "get dressed we are going to dinner tonight," he ordered. "I don't think I can be more upfront than that."
I snorted with laughter.
"I must turn down your request and I will happily ask you to go to hell." I went up the stairs.
When I reached my room I threw myself onto the bed.
Why did they do this to me? He's a complete bastard.
My phone vibrated on the night stand, I had left it here to be unreachable. I could only imagine how many missed messages I had.
Kim knocked on my door as she entered.
"Have you decided on if you will stay in tonight or not?" She asked meekly.
"What should I do Kim?" I murmured into my pillow.
"Should I answer as a lady's maid or a woman?" She asked laying out a dress for me.
"Kim..." I warned.
"Right," She whispered. "Well, as a woman I would say to do what is comfortable for you."
"But?"
She cleared her throat. "But if I had your body and beauty I would slip into a dress, strap on heels, and turn heads at his lord's dinner," She said honestly.
I looked up to see her facial expression.
"What are you scheming?" I smirked.
She simply held up a black cocktail dress.
I cocked my eyebrow with intrigue.
"You told him to go to hell," She began. "Why not just give him hell?"
I nodded, "Where are the heels?"