Sebastian’s gaze had remained focused on the path in front of them, but he had nodded and replied distinctively, “You have my word.”

That—Veronica had hoped—had been an end to it. Only it hadn’t been an end to it, after all. He’d broken his word. Barely two months into their marriage. Broken it and then lied about it. Veronica had been devastated the night Sebastian had finally admitted to going to Melissa’s town house. He’d promised. And that was why she couldn’t trust him.

He may have held her hand and said he wanted her by his side, but nothing had changed between them. He only wanted her there as a partner for social obligations. He couldn’t change the past…liars were liars…there was no future for them.

Chapter Twelve

Sebastian woke the next morning to a pounding head. After he’d left their bedchamber last night, he’d made his way down to Whitmore’s study and helped himself to a few too many glasses of brandy. It was unlike Sebastian to drink to excess, and he wasn’t proud of himself. But then again, he’d been doing many things lately that were unlike him. Not the least of which had been to try to reason with his wife, who he already knew damn well was unreasonable.

He pushed himself up to a sitting position and glanced over to find her side of the bed empty. It wasn’t a complete surprise. She’d been sleeping peacefully when he’d crawled back into bed in the wee hours of the morning. No doubt it was later than he’d expected to sleep.

A piece of paper on her pillow caught his eye. He nearly hadn’t seen the white slip against the white fabric. He grabbed it and, rubbing one palm over his eye, read the curt note.

Sebastian,

Please don’t mistake last night for anything more than it was. The fulfillment of a bargain.

Veronica

White hot anger filled his mind, and he crumpled the note in his palm and threw it across the room. Don’t mistake, she’d written. The fulfillment of a bargain? Did fulfilling a bargain involve her panting his name in his ear? Did her thighs tremble from his touch because of an agreement? Did her fingernails dig into his shoulders because of a bloody bargain? All this time, she’d accused him of being a liar. Well, she was one too. Because it was a damned lie that she had only been fulfilling a bargain when they’d made love both times yesterday. How dare she act like it was anything less?

The woman had had an excellent time in bed with him and she refused to admit it. Sebastian stood and paced across the room, scrubbing a hand through his hair. He wanted to punch the wall. Instead, he stalked to the wardrobe and rang for Chadwick. He was going for a ride.

Two hours and several miles later, Sebastian galloped back toward the stables atop Ronan, one of Whitmore’s finest horses. Sebastian was no longer angry. The brisk December air and long ride had done what it always did for him…made him see reason. The note wasn’t Veronica’s fault. It was his.