[i]”…I’m not like you.”[/i] A pause, at which Claire blinked in surprise, unsure what to say. [i]“I-I mean, I’m not like you-r average dandy.”[/i]

Tears swelled in Claire’s eyes as he looked away and muttered an apology. The place where his hand had touched still burned with the urge she’d had to slap it. She had kept her lips sealed, let him speak, and this was what she got for it. “I’m not asking for perfection, [i]Nicholas[/i],” she said still staring at him, “only to be treated as a person, not another asset your family’s money has bought. And as for not being [i]like me[/i]…”

Claire looked down at her ring, wishing she could throw it into that stream beneath the bridge at his estate. “Don’t you dare think you know anything about me ever again. If you would stop buying gifts and take a moment to-“ Too late, they were already pulling up to the house. The young woman cursed, dabbing at the corner of her eyes to try and keep her make-up looking fresh despite crying a little. “I asked one thing of you, Nick, and you couldn’t even do that.” How hard was it for a person to not talk so the other wouldn’t cry? For a male, apparently impossible. It wouldn’t have been a problem if he was capable of opening his mouth without the most foolish things coming out.

[i]“Just a few more hours,”[/i] he said with a kiss, to which she only looked down and forced herself to not move. She was so angry with him, but was it really all because of him? Claire sighed, wondering if she was simply taking it all out on him because he was the one beside her. No…no, he deserved the cold shoulder, to know how she felt. Claire wasn’t going to be the wife that silently took his silly act and giggled at his jokes.

“My, I married quite the gentleman,” she said with an uncharacteristic laugh, taking his hand as she stepped down onto the cobble stone path. She would show him she was an adult and wasn’t going to ruin the reception just because they were fighting. Afterall, she expected this to be the tone of their marriage for the rest of their lives. Plus this might give him a little insight as to why she was so annoyed by the front he put on with her.

Once inside Claire gushed over every inch of the room, quickly finding her friends and pointing out the cake, how delicious the tea was, the expensive tablecloths, and even the luscious bows tied to the back of each chair. “It’s beautiful, Claire,” one of the women her age that was already married said, both girls coming back to their husbands. “But where are you going after this? You never said! I’m sure Nicholas has the most wonderful trip planned for you two. You know you can whisper it to me, I won’t tell anyone.”

Claire hesitated, looking at Nick before answering. “Elizabeth! You know it’s bad luck to ask.” Not to mention she didn’t think they were going anywhere. At least she hoped not, she had worked to do. “Nick is such a romantic, I’m sure he has something wonderful planned that I will tell you all about when we get back. I plan on having everyone that’s anyone over to see the grand ballroom at our estate as soon as we get back.”

Thankfully her father soon came up to break up the conversation. “What is taking you two so long? Everyone’s waiting for the cake to be cut. You will be doing the honors, yes?” he asked Claire, touching her back.

“Of course, can’t disappoint the people,” she joked, getting a laugh out of her friend. “Come, Nicholas. You know I wanted a white cake with strawberries, one of the few things I asked for and I was told it wasn’t [i]tradition[/i].“ Yes, she was taking a moment in the midst of stress and worry to tell him about the denial of her favorite cake. Everything else was miserable, couldn’t she have a little something she loved? “Instead, we have a dark, rich fruit cake. Or so the chef said.” She sighed deeply as they came to the long rectangular table, her dress train sliding along the floor with each delicate step she took. All eyes were on them as she looked up at him, her smile polite. “Do you like fruit cake?” Claire immediately put a gloved hand to her lips, giving him a look of apology. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk of something so…pointless and silly,” she added sarcastically under her breath. “I know you aren’t [i]dandy[/i] or like me.”