His Spoilt Lady by Vanessa Brooks Page B

her
husband. John was determined to soothe Linnett and make her
understand that their marriage was a fact that she could not
change.
    He poured them
both a cup of tea and sat across the table from her. “I trust that
you are now feeling calm enough to talk?” When she failed to reply,
he continued regardless.
    “As you know,
Linnett, your father wished for this marriage to take place. It did
so because I also wished it . You are now my wife, and I want
our union to work well for the both of us. As your husband, these
are the things that I expect from you: first and foremost, respect,
and then, your loyalty and your obedience. In fact, I expect you to
fulfil your wedding vows and promises to me absolutely. I hope that
in time you will learn to love me. I am a fair and patient man, but
I am prepared to teach you to love, respect and honour me. This can
be done most pleasantly, or unpleasantly. At the end of the day,
the choice is yours. As for the marriage bed, well you do still
have a lot to learn, but it will be my pleasant task to teach you
the joys of that. You are my wife, Linnett, and as such, you
will share my bed and you will respect your husband. Otherwise,
there will be consequences. In return, you have my love and
protection in all things.”
    John picked up
his tea cup and drank from it, watching her reaction to his speech
over the rim. Linnett’s emotions swung from a resentful anger to
incredulous embarrassment. Her face blanched and then blushed
furiously.
    She took a deep
breath and then replied in a shaky voice, “Firstly sir, you have to
earn my respect. Secondly, I make my own decisions. Thirdly, I
loathe you, Mr. Foster, and I promise you that I will not be
falling in love with you now or in the future! As a gentleman, you
will be bound to leave me in peace at night and take your pleasure
elsewhere, for I will not endure it sir!” Linnett lifted her chin
haughtily, her green eyes flashing.
    A muscle
twitched once in John’s cheek. “I warn you, Linnett: do not push
me, for you would not enjoy the outcome.”
    “Do you threaten me, sir?” Linnett stood up and faced him as John
watched Linnett’s performance, for performance it was. He admired
his new wife and was inwardly proud of her strength of character,
but she had to learn quickly that he was her destiny and it would
be dangerous for her in the Colonies to try and go her own way. She
must learn to trust his judgement and do as he instructed. This
voyage would be a good opportunity for him to school her on her
wifely duties, and John found himself looking forward to the
prospect. He gazed at Linnett’s heaving bosom and flushed cheeks.
His new wife had no idea of the effect that she had on a man, and
that was going to be part of the danger that lay ahead for someone
as lovely as she in a country as untamed and as wild The
Americas.
    John brushed
down his knees and rose, but he chose to ignore her question.
Linnett had had a shock today, and she needed some time to adjust.
John considered himself a kind man, and he hoped his wife would
settle down and accept her fate.
    “I shall return
the tray to the galley. We dine with the captain at six o’clock;
your clothing for the voyage is in the trunk on the left. Please be
ready at ten minutes to the hour; I shall return for you then.”
    John collected
up the tea things, but he turned at the doorway and spoke quietly.
“I think it would be wise for you to ponder the outcome of our
disagreement before our marriage, young lady, and try to achieve a
more biddable nature from now on,”
    John carefully
closed the door and left the cabin.
    Linnett sank
back down upon the chair and stuck out her tongue at the closed
door. She was livid; how dare he threaten her, the pompous oaf! He
is your husband now, pointed out a little voice of reason. Yes, but
not by my choice, and oh! He was so...o...o smug! Linnett thought
of him earlier, lying on the floor wet and dishevelled, and she
giggled aloud. That had