A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

He returned Leo's attack with his punch, except he punched Leo in the stomach. Leo hunched over for a moment but quickly stood straight enough to land a punch squarely on Harrison's jaw. ―Jessica would never compromise her virtue, Leo hissed.

―Maybe not, he consented as he felt his jaw. ―But I would have had her on the wedding night had I accepted her proposal. Leo's blood turned cold. ―You're lying. ―Am I? Just ask her where she was the day before your wedding.

You can ask my butler if she came over to my home to see me. She asked me to go for a walk and said she wanted to marry me instead of you. You really should thank me for telling her no. I made sure you had a wife.

Well, at least she will be until the month is up since you're so incompetent at sealing the deal. It's no wonder that everyone's calling her The Cold Wife. He realized that Harrison was most likely telling him the truth. She had been desperate to get out of the marriage. It seemed that she would have done anything to avoid it.

All the fight that had been raging inside of him departed. Why? Why had she found him so offensive and found Harrison so appealing? But he hadn't mistaken her d.e.s.i.r.e for him that morning. Surely, she had to love him on some level to want to consummate their marriage. Harrison, still grinning, walked by him and patted him on the shoulder.

―It's time you became a man and let her know that she better perform her wifely duty to you. After all, it is your right. A surge of hot anger resurfaced. ―A real man never forces himself on his wife. The other man shook his head and chuckled.

―You must like lonely and frustrating nights. Then he finally left. Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath to settle his nerves. Why was he letting Harrison rattle his cage? He already knew he couldn't trust the man.

Howard called out for him. He shook his head and walked back to where Harrison was talking to the middle-aged man. If I knew how to get out of this maze, I'd go straight to Jessica and beg her forgiveness for leaving her alone for all this time.

―Leo, Howard began, looking unusually solemn, ―I realize that you and Harrison don't get along, but a gentleman never punches another man. As the man turned his back to him and Harrison, Harrison smiled slyly at him. It was then that Leo realized what Harrison had done. He instigated the fight to gain Howard's sympathy.

Leo supposed he should make an effort to explain the situation to the man, but he didn't care anymore. He wasn't thrilled that the potential client didn't care that he wanted to spend the afternoon and evening with his wife.

As far as he was concerned, Harrison could have the account and all the hours sitting in a forest waiting for a perfect deer that never appeared.

If Harrison didn't care to be with his bride, that was his business. But Leo desperately wanted to see Jessica again. ―With all due respect, Mr. Davidson, I would prefer to go back now, Leo said. ―I promised my wife I'd be back by two. Howard looked startled.

―Why did you promise her that? I specifically told Harrison to tell you that we would be hunting until sunset. He forced himself not to punch Harrison again.

―I was told that we would return at two, he slowly stated. The man glanced at Harrison. ―I told him sunset, Harrison lied. Leo had to admit that Harrison was a very convincing liar. ―Fine. How do I get back?

Just point me the way I need to go and I'll leave.Mr. Davison looked like he wanted to protest but decided against it. ―I see where your priorities lie. Very well. The house is in that direction.

Leo thanked him and left. By the time he reached the house, it was six. He saw Mrs. Davidson and Julie laughing as they sorted through the items that they bought for the birds, cats, and dog.

―Excuse me for interrupting, Leo began as he entered the parlor, ―but do you know where Jessica is? The older woman shrugged.

―I don't know. I haven't seen her since she destroyed Tiffy's rug and Zipper's lamp. He had no idea what the woman was talking about, nor did he care for clarification on the matter. ―She's not here, the maid stiffly informed him.