Chapter 3

As soon as my words landed, Zachary froze.

He thought, “She truly intends to leave me? How is that possible? Even at this moment, she still wishes to leave? Preposterous!”

Even Alfred appeared somewhat taken aback.

At that moment, a servant nearby reported softly, “It appears the young Mrs. Pendleton went alone to the adjoining room to rest in the middle of the night.”

Alfred’s expression darkened at once.

“Zachary, you scoundrel! How could you allow Harriet to sleep alone in the adjoining room on your wedding night? How is she to be expected to share a life with you after such treatment? After all the difficulty it took to secure a bride, you still don’t cherish her properly!”

Zachary pressed his lips together.

“She wasn’t alone,” he said. “I went over in the latter half of the night.”

He thought, “It wasn’t that I drove her way; she simply refused to speak to me… I would far rather have her in my bed, at my mercy, until she’s entirely spent.”

So indecent were Zachary’s thoughts that I almost exposed him then and there.

Fortunately, Alfred was skilled at mediation. After hearing Zachary’s explanation, he said nothing further, only holding my hand while continuing to reprimand him. When he noticed that I still seemed inclined to dissolve the marriage, Alfred changed course entirely and began bribing me with wealth.

He ordered servants to carry endless gold and jewels into my room and spoke with a warm smile.

“Harriet, as long as you’re willing to stay, everything within the entire Pendleton Manor shall one day be yours. You’ll never have to worry for the rest of your life. Should Zachary ever mistreat you, you need only tell me, and I shall see him punished.”

At the sight of such dazzling wealth, I could not deny my hesitation.

“Very well…”

Little did I know that this fleeting moment of hesitation would cost me my entire life.

That very night, the seemingly upright and trustworthy Alfred had a perfume laced with aphrodisiac properties released into our room.

Meanwhile, Zachary and I were disputing how we ought to sleep that night.

I spoke first. “In any case, I won’t be sharing a bed with you again.”

Zachary refused to yield. “We are husband and wife. There is no reason to occupy separate rooms.”

“Once the riding crop arrives,” he thought. “I must test it tonight. That sheer muslin gown… with her fine figure, it’d be doubly enticing upon her. I want to see it on her.”

My hands and feet went numb when I heard his thoughts, which were consumed by such intimate pursuits.

Just then, I caught sight of a small box he had carelessly set aside, and I strongly suspected it contained the items he had commissioned. I turned at once to flee again, but a sudden weakness seized my legs. At the same time, I detected a faint trace of a strange fragrance in the air.

I had scarcely gone a few steps when I felt myself growing increasingly feverish. Just as my legs gave out and I was about to fall, a strong arm caught me and pulled me into an embrace.

“Harriet, where are you running off to…”

As Zachary spoke my name in a low, husky voice, I felt my resolve weaken alarmingly. My strength was failing me, and I could only sink against him and rely on his strength to remain upright.

His thoughts reached me. “She is truly soft and fragrant. I want to kiss her. I can scarcely restrain myself any longer.”

The next instant, I felt a warm pressure settle upon my lips.

When Zachary caught my lower lip between his own, a tingling numbness spread through half my body.

“Mmph… release me…”

Though my words were meant as a refusal, they emerged in a voice so soft and breathless that I barely recognized it as my own.

“Zachary, stop kissing me… I feel terribly warm. What is happening to me?”

Zachary gave no reply. Without warning, he lifted me into his arms.

Startled, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck as his voice, low and almost hypnotic, brushed against my ear.

“Let us not sleep in separate beds tonight. Harriet, judging by the strength of the highly potent perfume, my father seems rather eager for us to consummate the marriage. How could we possibly disappoint him?”

His thoughts reverberated within me. “I can no longer restrain myself… I want her… I want her so much… Harriet… Harriet…”

After gently lowering me onto the bed, Zachary came down upon me.