– What else would you call what you did? – Jeremy contradicted her.
– I only wanted to visit my friend… My best friend! – She lifted her chin. – I am a free woman! Not your slave!
– You are my wife! – Jeremy said sternly and grabbed her slender wrist. – And you dare not leave the house without my permission!
– Oh, well, divorce me, if you don't like such a naughty wife! – Vivian sarcastically exclaimed, as if she didn't mind the iron grip of his fingers.
– That will never happen. You are mine. Only mine. And I will never, you hear me, never give you a divorce!
– Then stop it! Stop commanding me like some maid! You're supposed to respect my choices and my wishes, not suppress them!
– We'll talk at home," Jeremy suddenly said in a completely calm tone and let go of Vivian's hand.
– Fine! – She said coldly and turned her face away from the window. – Tell me, did you come here on purpose to keep me away from Charlotte? Or perhaps you are jealous of my cousin too?
– And if I am? – her husband grinned unpleasantly.
– If so, I'll tell you that this idea of yours is ridiculous: there never was and never will be anything between him and me. We're brother and sister. Besides, if it makes you feel any better, Anthony is in love with another girl and wants to marry her," Vivian said quietly.
Her whole being burned with disgust at her husband and the fact that he had deliberately taken her away from her dear friend. He had spoilt her day. But she did not ask why her husband had returned so early from hunting.
– What luck! – Jeremy replied mockingly.
Vivian remained silent.
After that brief conversation, neither spouse said a word all the way to Wington Hall.
When the carriage pulled up to the front door, Vivian left it in a hurry and went into the house and went up to her and Jeremy's bedroom with quick steps, and did not leave it, not even for dinner. The girl had lost all appetite, and only waited impatiently for her husband to come into the bedroom to discuss with her again the accusations she had thrown in his face.
"I will not raise my voice and I will be calm. We will talk like rational beings, not like animals living only on instinct. He loves me and I'm sure I can convey to him what he makes me suffer" decided Mrs. Wington.
After Jane had changed her into her nightdress and unbraided her high hair, Vivian sent the maid to rest, and sitting down at the dressing-table, began to comb her long fiery hair with a thick brush. Her body and soul were tense, and her mind tried to catch the sound of footsteps approaching the bedroom.
And soon she heard them.
– You did not wish to dine with me," was the first thing her husband said as he entered the bedroom and approached her.
– I don't feel well. You were right: it seems that this evil wind has brought me a cold after all," Vivian replied in an even tone.
– That's a pity. But let's continue our conversation, my love," Jeremy said in a quiet, ingratiating tone.
Vivian shifted her gaze from her reflection in the mirror to her husband's. Her emerald eyes opened wide. Her breathing quickened.
Jeremy stood behind her, a few feet away from her, a long, thin whip resting on his open palms.
