Page 35 of Eloping With The Princess
She knew it had nothing to do with wanting to exert power over her and instead was entirely about her own protection. Still, it was frustrating. There had to be some way she could move her body enough to keep herself from going mad.
…
After their heated kiss, he had needed a fight. Less than an hour later, Jason was fully embroiled in a hand-to-hand battle with his valet, Ricks, when he heard the sound from the doorway. He turned at the intrusion, and Ricks landed a blow right to his lower abdomen. Jason groaned, but the pain of that strike was preferable to the unsatisfied desire he’d come up here with. One kiss and he’d been as hard as a randy boy. The fighting had helped distract him.
“I suppose I took advantage of you not paying attention,” Ricks said.
Jason grunted in response. “What is it?” he asked the housekeeper who stood in the doorway.
She nodded and then swiftly looked away from him.
He rolled his eyes at her ridiculous sense of modesty. It was not as if he stood there without a shirt. He merely wore no cravat or waistcoat and had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“Yes, my lord, I know we’re not supposed to interrupt you when you’re up here, but it’s Lady Ellis.”
Jason swiped the boxing gloves from his hands, dropping them on the padded floor. “What happened? Is she hurt?”
The housekeeper shook her head. “No, she is not injured, but she is, well, you should probably come see for yourself.”
He didn’t particularly want to see his wife now. He’d left her in an appalling way earlier, and he had no notion of what to say to her. He knew his behavior toward her must be confusing. One moment he wanted her, and the next he shoved her away. But he couldn’t very well explain his bastardy to her. He needed to keep his distance. Perhaps once the ball was over, he could be sent on assignment somewhere. He would make certain she was well protected, and he would be far from temptation.
Jason nodded his head at his valet. “You wait here. I shouldn’t be long.”
Ricks, who was more friend than servant, nodded.
Jason followed his housekeeper down the winding staircase. He wanted to further chastise the woman for not handling the situation herself. If Isabel wasn’t injured, then why was he required to manage whatever problem the girl had? Or could his mother not take care of things?
He was being ridiculous. He couldn’t hide from his wife. Most men would beg to be saddled with a woman they desired. He was the worst sort of fool.
The housekeeper led him down the main corridor that led to the bedchambers, where he found Isabel on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor.
“You see, my lord, why you had to come?” his housekeeper whispered.
Isabel’s hair was wound on top of her head and a scarf was tied around it to keep it in place. Or perhaps it was to keep perspiration out of her eyes. Either way, she looked far more the part of scullery maid than viscountess.
“Thank you,” Jason said. “I’ll handle matters from here.”
The housekeeper waited a moment before bobbing into a curtsy and walking away.
Jason stood in place for a few breaths, simply watching Isabel as she scrubbed the floor. He gingerly moved forward.
“Isabel?”
She started, then looked up at him. “Good afternoon.”
“Indeed. May I inquire as to what you’re doing?”
She frowned. “I should think it would be rather obvious, but I am cleaning the floors.”
“Yes, but why?”
“Because I am able-bodied,” she said.
He squatted so he could be at her eye level. “Isabel, we have servants. If they are not cleaning to your standards, you need only address it with them. Or with me, if you feel more comfortable.”
She shook her head. “Am I not allowed to clean the floors? I am a perfectly capable person, and I see no reason why I can’t perform a simple task.”
“That is not what I meant.”
