Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 21

Welcome to the next part in my Wednesday Briefs flash fiction serial, Innocence & Carnality! Each chapter has to be between 500 and 1,000 words and this week I used the following prompt: use “It’s hard when you don’t know who to trust.”

Nathan has to learn to cope with his first marital argument.

Click here to start from the beginning

Part 21

The broken clock mocked me, lying open with my tools jutting out like an ignored surgery. Without it, I couldn’t be sure how long I sat here alone, but I guessed at least an hour or two had passed since Rother stormed out, possibly longer.

At first I fumed at him for walking away when I wasn’t finished giving him my thoughts. I had every right to be unhappy learning about Rother’s history with the help. A small amount of forward notice might have forestalled my anger. Well, not likely, but a warning would have been polite.

A while after, I spent a time whipping myself for being so harsh. Hardly knowing the man, his manner could be completely normal in Francine compared to Victoria. With the severe way he reacted to Vivian’s advances when we arrived, I knew he didn’t take challenges to his authority well. Powerful men rarely did. I should have handled the situation with more grace, not with the vitriol I usually saved for dealing with my family.

Neither revelation was useful as I sat staring at the gutted clock. Less than a week, and I’d already thrown my marriage off the rails. Wonderful work, Nathan. Idiot.

The door opening broke my musing. Rother stepped in a tray of food in one hand. With a cautious step, he placed the offering next to the mangled clock. A bowl of stew. One random scent and my stomach growled.

“Samantha said you hadn’t eaten since lunch.”

“That’s very kind of her. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be gone.”

“I had work to attend to.” Every line in Rother’s body was rigid, and his eyes narrow. Tension emanated from his every motion, as if waiting for a new argument to emerge.

“Rother, I don’t want things between us to be awkward. We’re to be under the same roof for some time.”

When he didn’t react, I realized I’d spoken to him as I would another Victorian noble; working to maintain polite discourse rather than pollute the discussion with personal feelings.

I forced my lungs to empty in a rush, trying to corral my courage. Now was not the time for civil pleasantries. I needed to be less Victorian and more Francinian right now or I might never resolve this issue between us. Rother made an effort with the meal, the least I could do was let down my own guard.

“I’m sorry I ambushed you the way I did after Vivian’s comments.” My face heated as I worked up some kind of acknowledgment. I was in yet another land of unfamiliar territory. “I should have had the nerve to ask you directly. Perhaps I was a bit judgmental. Unfairly, even.”

“Perhaps.”

It wasn’t a proper apology, but I hadn’t expected much more. At least I knew he was listening. Now that I had his attention, I had my own point to make in my defense as well.

“And perhaps you’re expecting a great deal of sudden change I’m not prepared for. There’s a great deal of difference between Victorian and Francine customs. But I’m trying to adapt as best I know how. It’s just not as easy as winding a clockwork mouse and sending it scurrying along on its way.”

Rother didn’t speak, but his posture softened. The sharp line of his mouth relaxed; not actually a smile, but I suppose it counted as a meager sign of detente. Clearly, I needed to accept this small victory. My alpha male wouldn’t give in and show his belly anytime soon. It would be a waste of time wishing for it.

The mood lighter, Rother opened the wardrobe and pulled out a jacket and other accessories. I stepped closer as he buttoned his shirt up higher, shy of his throat yet more formal than how he walked out earlier. In short order, he tidied himself up with a stylish jacket and hat, accentuating the smart flair I was learning to appreciate.

“Are we going out tonight?”

Rother shook his head as his buttoned his cuffs. “No. It’s been decided Delaga House will be returning to business tonight.”

“Tonight?” My obvious confusion broke free. What kind of business dealings would be held in the evening?

“Yes, tonight.”

Trying to shrug off the odd working hours, I decided to help rather than hinder. “All right. Is there something in particular I should be wearing?”

“You’re not participating.” Without any vocal fluctuation, he adjusted his collar in the mirror.

“Why not?” I was more confused than ever. Hadn’t we made a breakthrough moments ago?

“You’re not acclimated well enough to the Francine culture. That ‘sudden change’ you were referring to before. Until you are, you’ll stay up here during active hours.”

Tamping down my annoyance was difficult. I spent years as a prisoner to my father’s machinations and now my husband wanted me to continue playing a similar role?

I steeled myself to stay calm and collected. “As your husband, I’d like to become part of it.”

“It’s hard when you don’t know who to trust.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I couldn’t help but take offense. Did he mean I couldn’t be trusted? Or rather the others in his dealings?

“Another night, perhaps. You can keep yourself busy playing with the clock.” Rother’s voice wasn’t cruel or rude. It was simplistic; how one would speak to a child. The fatherly condescension made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.

My voice pitched in shock. “Excuse me?”

Rother pulled his watch from his pocket. “I don’t have time for this right now. I’m running late. You’ll be asleep long before I’m back, so I’ll see you in the morning.”

Disaffected, he leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. Stunned, I watched my husband stroll out the door and close it behind him. He didn’t really expect me to sit up here all night, did he? A soft, mechanical snick answered the question.

I’d been locked in the suite.

Check back next Wednesday for the next installation… Be sure to take a read at the other briefers free reads this week here: Wednesday Briefs