Chapter 90

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 90. Interruption (3)

What the hell are you two doing? Annette wondered, looking back and forth at the crackling atmosphere between her husband and Celestine. Both of them were people of great pride, and she could almost see the sparks flying from their eyes as they glared at each other.

“Raphael, I’m fine,” she said, quickly intervening to try to resolve the situation. “It’s just a little cold. I was having a conversation with an important visitor, so I’ll talk to you later.”

She laid her hand on his shoulder, gently dissuading him, and Raphael glanced back at Celestine with a slight frown. She was an important visitor?

Celestine did not look like a distinguished noblewoman. She had dressed simply for her visit, and her failure to follow proper etiquette did not leave a good impression. Raphael would have liked to kick her out of his house immediately.

But Annette had asked him to be a courteous host, and he had learned quite a bit from his relationship with her, particularly in managing interpersonal relationships.

“I apologize for interrupting,” he said, opting to greet her as if nothing had happened. “I am Marquis Carnesis. I had not heard any visitors were expecting, so I didn’t know you were here. I hope you will understand with a generous heart.”

What was with him? Annette was surprised at the sudden shift in attitude. She had expected him to rudely order Celestine to leave.

It was also true that she could only see his broad back, and not the forbidding expression he was wearing, at odds with his polite attitude.

Celestine, facing Raphael, felt a little overwhelmed.

Oh, hell.

To Celestine, the only polite thing about Marquis Raphael Carnesis was his muzzle. His sharp eyes clearly said he would like her to disappear. But Annette was oblivious to this.

Goaded, Celestine would have liked to sit still and watch Raphael’s hackles rise, but she couldn’t do that at Annette’s expense, when she was sick. It was clearly not a good time for a visit. And it was true, she had ignored the proper etiquette for her call.

“Lady Carnesis, are you sure you’re not feeling too ill?”

“No, it’s just a little cold. I’m only worried that it might be catching,” Annette said, smiling as she shook her head. Looking at her face, Celestine only felt guiltier. Annette’s pale cheeks were unmistakably flushed.

For her sake, Celestine shouldn’t linger any longer. Admitting defeat, she rose.

“We’ll speak again another time,” she said. “I’m sorry for my unannounced visit. The thing I was going to tell you before…I will let you know when I am a little more certain.

It left Annette alone in the drawing room with Raphael, and he sighed and then came to sit beside her, drawing her head onto his shoulder.

“You have a fever. Have you taken any medicine?”

“Yes. Eucaly prescribed me some.”

“Eucaly? That’s…the doctor you hired? That gloomy woman.”

That was Raphael’s impression of the practitioner. Annette would have protested, but her throat was too dry to speak. Actually, now that Celestine had gone and she could relax, her body ached more than ever, and her temperature was high enough that she felt dizzy.

Her body slumped against his, her full weight resting against him, and Raphael clicked his tongue and slipped out of his seat.

“Anyway, you’re too frail. Anyone who looked at you would think you are made of glass.”

“Who was it that couldn’t restrain himself, and left me in this condition?” Annette replied, for once not giving any ground. She was tired of accommodating his whims, and he had only treated her well last night for selfish reasons.

For a moment, he was speechless at her counterattack. And though at first he looked angry, his face set in frowning lines, she could tell that he was actually embarrassed.