Page 37 of Dangerous

Mia reveled in the variety of shades and luxurious fabrics that were available in London. She’d chosen to offset the antique gold satin bodice and underskirt with yards of flowing cream silk chiffon.

“You look stunning.” His words startled her.

Mia couldn’t see his face as the carriage had entered the relative darkness that reigned between the streetlamps.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“There is a necklace and earrings among my mother’s jewels that are much the same shade as your gown—I believe it is topaz. They are not particularly valuable, but they are pretty and were one of her favorite sets. I shall have Hill fetch them from the vault for you.” His voice was detached, as if he were speaking of the weather rather than giving her his mother’s possessions.

Mia’s hand sought the necklace at her throat and she fingered the square green stone that had once belonged to her own mother. Unlike the Carlisle emeralds, which were the property of the dukedom, this necklace was Mia’s. Her father had handed over all the jewels a few days before her wedding, counseling her to give them to Exley to keep in a vault.

She’d decided to sell her mother’s jewels to finance her journey rather than use any money from the marquess. Especially after she’d learned that Exley had not asked for any part of her dowry but had instead been exceptionally generous with settlements, an action that had surprised her as much as it had the duke. No, she would not take money from him if she could help it.

“I’m afraid you’ll find the theater a bit thin tonight.” His observation pulled her away from her uncomfortable thoughts.

“I’ve never been to see a play before so I’m sure I won’t be a harsh critic.”

The carriage approached the next lantern and she could see his eyebrows arch. “Your father did not take you to the theater?”

“We did not have the time.” Why bother telling him how much the duke hated to take her anywhere in public?

Her husband remained quiet and Mia’s mind drifted back to her mother’s jewels. Should she try to sell them in London? If she did so, it would have to be soon. The marquess had indicated they were leaving in only a few days. Mia had spent the ten days before her wedding wrapping Gamble around her finger but she was not yet at the point where she felt comfortable trusting him with such a job. Would the footman wonder why she was selling jewels and mention the fact to another servant? How long would it take for such information to make its way to Sayer and next—

“Would you care to go and see your family tomorrow?”

Mia blinked. What was this? More kindness? He’d been so kind today it made her head hurt. She hoped his behavior was not always so erratic.

He cleared his throat and she realized he was waiting for her answer. “My father will have left for Burnewood Park already, my lord. He will stay there a few weeks before removing to Bath. Cian is meeting friends in Scotland and my cousin Rebecca is joining my aunt Elizabeth and her girls in Brighton.”

“Would you care to go to Bath? Or perhaps Brighton?”

Mia had no idea where Bath was located. She knew where Brighton was, but would such a crowded place be a good choice for her needs? “I will be guided by your taste in such matters. Do you generally go to either?”

The entire evening had consisted of stilted talk like the night before—but without the excessive drinking on her husband’s part. What other kind of conversation could a person engage in with eighteen ears attending to every word?

“Bath is not my first choice for entertainment.”

That statement certainly begged a question. “You prefer Brighton?”

They passed under a lamp and she saw his shrug. “I expect there will be a host of matters that require my attention at Exham. It has been some time since I’ve been home. We are not prohibitively far from Brighton if you should desire more lively entertainments.”

Mia found the notion of Brighton depressing. “I collect the society in Brighton is much the same as London?”

“You find such a notion lacking in appeal?” His question exhibited a degree of perception that made Mia nervous.

“I’m sure I will learn to enjoy it in time.” She was not sure of any such thing. The allure of life among the ton had already paled. Years spent among such people was not something she would have looked forward to even if she had planned to remain in England.

“What do you enjoy, my lady?”

Mia shook her head. “I’m afraid I do not know.” The words were too pathetic to be left standing alone. “Merely surviving in the sultan’s harem required most of my attention. I didn’t have time for much else.” She grimaced; that was hardly any better. The silence in the carriage was louder than the sounds from beyond the carriage window. She tried again. “I’m sure I will come to enjoy society more in time. Perhaps it will become more entertaining as I meet more people. It is not very interesting to engage in conversations when one isn’t acquainted with the people under discussion.”

He gave a mirthless laugh. “I counsel you against expecting your circle of friends to increase anytime soon.”

His words were like a slap. “You think I am not . . .” Mia struggled to find words that would not betray her deep sense of injury at his comment. “You think I cannot earn the friendship of others?”

He leaned forward and took one of her hands, holding it while he smiled with genuine amusement. “My dear wife, you misunderstand. It is not your social skills I doubt. You are married to me, now. You have chosen to become the next victim of the Murdering Marquess.” His pale eyes glinted, all traces of humor gone.

“The Murdering Marquess?” she repeated.