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“Like a babe.” The one you think I am carrying, she thought irritably.

“I need to go away on business for the day,” he said in an offhand manner, and her eyes rounded.

Did he mean to leave her alone? With his surly daughter and undisciplined dog? Her expression must have translated because he hastened to add, “I shall take Button and Millie with me. They quite enjoy running around the field while I attend to matters with farmers.”

“Oh.” Isabel expelled a breath of relief. “Then I shall familiarize myself with the manor and the villagers.”

Vane grimaced and slowly put the paper down. “I think you should delay your visit to our tenants until I can accompany you.”

Now he wanted to monitor her like she was a child? “Why would I? I am the mistress of this estate. I need to see them as soon as I am able.”

“Because they might not be welcoming,” he said calmly.

Isabel scoffed. “Similar to how you and your daughter have been?”

He straightened in his chair, throwing his vast shadow over her. “Everyone needs to get used to the fact that you are here. I just don’t want any unfortunate incidents.”

Isabel took a sip of chocolate to calm herself, then turned and looked him dead in the eye. “I am not about to create a scandal if that’s what you are worried about. Regardless of what you think of me, I am accomplished at running estates and dealing with tenants. I have done that for my brother for over eight years.”

Vane steepled his fingers. “I am not inclined to believe anything you say until I see it with my own eyes.”

“Your lack of trust is tiring, my lord,” Isabel said calmly, although she felt her chest fill with rage. “I shall do as I please, and if you want to accompany me, you will have to postpone your own matters.”

“I am not about to change my plans because of your stubbornness,” he growled. “I am certain you can find plenty of things to keep you occupied inside the manor in the meantime.”

“I am afraid I cannot oblige. My mother taught me that a mistress should first contact her tenants. Then, she needs to find out the villagers’ needs, identify the elderly and the sick, and make certain they have all the necessary provisions. If I delay this duty, people will suffer. And that will be on your head.”

Vane listened to her concerns with an air of boredom. “I shall survive the burden.”

Isabel gasped. Was he truly such a heartless master? “I do not know who was helping you run the estates in the absence of a mistress, but this is not how things are done. I know my main duty, and I shall perform it whether you agree with me or not!”

“Do you have to counter everything I say? I am your husband, and you will do as I say.” His voice was stony and brooked no argument.

Isabel argued still. “I am not a slave. I shall not blindly obey you just because I was forced to marry you under the most unfortunate circumstances. Our situation is as much your fault as it is mine. You have no right to act superior, especially since I have no evidence to believe that you are.”

Vane’s fingers fisted at his side, and for a moment, Isabel was afraid he’d lunge at her. But he relaxed and let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t expect you to,” he breathed.

Isabel swallowed and turned away from him. “You didn’t expect me to obey, or you didn’t expect me to find you superior?”

Vane took a sip of coffee and returned to his paper. “I did not expect you to be the proper wife I needed,” he said, without taking his eyes off the page.

“I didn’t expect you to be a fair master, either. So I suppose neither of us is disappointed.”

She resolutely turned away and started on her meal again, determined to ignore him.

A few moments later, loud footsteps preceded the arrival of the giant dog, followed by Millicent, who appeared to be chasing the animal.

Vane stood, and the dog immediately ran toward him, wagging his tail.

“Millie, how many times do I have to tell you not to run inside the house?” Vane asked in a bored tone.

The girl didn’t answer; she just plopped into a seat.

Isabel raised her brow. No greeting, no curtsy, in fact, not even a glance toward her parent or Isabel—this girl was absolutely mannerless. And to top it all off, she brought the giant dog to the breakfast table.

“Sit,” Vane commanded, and as the dog settled next to him, he turned to Millie. “Did he have breakfast today yet?”

Millie shook her head.