Page 26 of Cold November Rake

"I want you to stop seeing her," Temperance demanded, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Sutton raised an eyebrow, buttering his toast. "That is not going to happen."

Temperance reeled back.

She should have expected him to dig in his heels, but somehow she was still caught by surprise.

She understood him keeping a mistress during the lonely years of their marriage, though she did not condone it. However, now that they were having marital relations, surely he no longer needed anyone else?

"I think I am being generous enough in not complaining that you entertained your harlot while I was away, but I am back now, and you have no need of her anymore."

"She is not a harlot." His words landed like a whip, fury burning in his eyes.

The man who had not reacted to his wife's mockery in the gossip sheet was fiercely offended by her choice of words toward his lover. She was not a simple harlot to him.

He cared about her. More than he cared about his own wife.

And the blows kept on coming.

"Marie is my friend," he added evenly, after clearing his throat. "She has been my rock for over three years, which is more than I can say for my wife."

Three years...

Three years ago he had promised to meet her in Norway and take her home.

Three years ago he had failed to appear.

That was when he had met this Marie person and fallen in love.

That was why he had never come for her.

She had waited for him for weeks. She had delayed her departure from Norway in hopes he would come. She had stood on a cold quay watching strangers come ashore while he was locked in a passionate embrace with another woman.

And he couldn't even manage to write her a note telling her not to wait.

It wasn't because he toyed with her and wanted her to suffer, she was certain. He had simply forgotten about her.

Temperance wished she could yell, scream, and shatter every dish on the table. She let herself do it in her mind while keeping her face perfectly composed.

"A friend," she repeated. "Do you kiss and lie with all your friends?"

Sutton's lips twitched, and he became very interested in his toast.

"There is a difference," he finally said, not lifting his eyes to hers, "between a mistress and the friendship Marie and I share. I shall not stop seeing her. That is final."

"We came to an agreement last night. You said I could add my own terms⁠—"

"Not this one," he interrupted swiftly.

"You owe me the decency of not embarrassing me before the ton!" she snapped, her knuckles turning white against the edge of the table. "I will not have society laughing behind my back while you parade her through Mayfair!"

"I cannot be responsible for what the gossips say. I have always been discreet⁠—"

"Clearly not enough."

"—and I have not been parading anyone. I am allowed to have a life outside of this hideous marriage."

She gasped.