Miles kept his fists clenched at his sides—probably to keep from strangling her, Varya thought. He had kept his anger in check since the arrival of her parents, but now that he had her alone in his study she could feel his restraint slipping. “There are no more surprises, I promise.” “Well,” he retorted stiffly, “that will no doubt make the rest of our lives together relatively boring, won’t it?” “I am sorry,” she mumbled, rubbing her aching forehead with the heel of her hand. She leaned against the back of the sofa. God, she was so tired. “Why couldn’t you have told me so that I might have prepared for their arrival? God, what a fool I must have looked! If you won’t trust me, you cannot expect to be trusted in return.” He smiled bitterly. “Never fear, though; I’ve seen many marriages survive on less.” “I cannot imagine either of us being happy with such an arrangement.” She spoke with all the dignity she could muster. It wasn’t much. He crossed the room swiftly to stop directly in front of her, his eyes narrowing in distaste.
