Chapter 268: Let me be with you!

Marianne pov

'Cassius, ' I cried rather abruptly. And he looked straight into my eyes.

"I think i can handle the rest" i said as i took the hold of the towel and he nodded.

He moved and took another towel and the blanket from the bed. "I am on the other side, tell me when you are done with the basics i will help you in wearing clothes." after saying that he turned and walked towards the bath area and used the blanket to create a barrier.

The moment he left I laid on the bed while holding the towel still in my arms. Everything was too much for me to bear. As if we have moved into another realm and the Cassius I knew was left behind. Even if I assume that it was just the need of the situation, there was no way that he was touching me and taking his advances towards me was something called need or coincidence.

No, i shook my head. He had changed badly. If i did not know any better i would have thought that he was Cassius's twin.

After a few moments of catching my breath, I moved and dried the private parts of my body and slowly took the shirt out from my body. It took me a lifetime to finally get rid of the shirt as it was stuck in my injured hands. Then I wrapped the towel as best as I could and looked at the fresh clothes for me.

It was a simple cotton long gown of peach color with a bell shaped sleeve which was impossible for me to wear with one hand yet I wanted to try once before calling him.

So I opened it and tried to unzip it. Once done, I was ready to wear it when I heard his voice again.

"Are you done with drying Marianne? Tell me so that I can help you with the dress." he said and I coughed.

Why did he always present at the perfect timing? As if he already knew what I was trying to do.

When I did not reply he furrowed his brows and peaked boldly. 

"What are you doing? Do you think you can handle this?" he asked as he moved towards me with hurried footsteps. His face was frowning so much that his brows were touching each other.

He took the dress from me abruptly and then held it tightly in his hands.

"Do you know that your hands will get further damage with the moments? Why are you being so stubborn? I am your husband." he scolded as he opened the drees and not so gently put my neck in it.

I glared at him the way he shouted at me. How could a person be this gentle and rude at the same time?

He fumbled with the cloth to adjust it, as he was having a problem entering my injured hand in the dress. My eyes closed, as the pain hit me. I then realised that I could not use my right hand at all. He stopped what he was doing and i opened my eyes to see him when he spoke

"Marianne, I am just worried about you and so is your brother." he said, taking a deep sigh. As if he was facing many grievances. Then he started struggling with the dress again, it took him a long time to finally understand the hang of it.

I could understand about me, but why my brother.

I looked at him and blinked, "why are you worried about Jamie?'' I asked and he shook his head.

"I am not worried about him the way you think. I am worried that he would blame me and fight with me again. And I did not want to fight with him again over this matter." 

I smirked after hearing his reply, "so, you are worried that he will beat you again?" 

He shook his head, "no, I am worried that when I beat him, you would be upset and throw me out of the room. I still want to sleep with my wife like we slept last night"  he said with the same mischievous smirk and my mouth agape.

Was he serious! How could he be so shameless! Continue, what.. Continue.. Why continue.

"Tsk.. tsk.. Like you have the strength and capabilities to win against Jamie. And it's already Sunday. And we are going back to duke palace today. Then we would sleep in separate chambers again.'' I replied, controlling my emotions. 

I could not believe that I was still behaving like a young maiden with his touch, but then, even when I was an old soul, he was the one who had touched me in two lives. So I am a maiden that way.

Wait! What was I even thinking? I shook my head. I could not forgive him that easily, since I was given the chance to make sure that he would get punished for what he had done with me and Killian.

"What, why? I mean if we are giving our relationship a second chance, should we not sleep in the same chamber?" he asked with a deep frown, but I did not relent even a bit.

"For that you have to have to correct your mistakes first. Try to win our hearts first. Did you not always say that a person should be connected by heart first and then bodies?" I taunted his words to him but he nodded his head.

"I want to be connected to your heart first, I agree. So I take it that you are giving me a chance to repent and improve. 

I promise I will be a good husband from now on, but for that you have to give me a chance to stay close to you. Let me share the chamber." he said with sincerity this time and when i eyed him he shook his head.

'Do not worry, I will not cross the last line without winning your heart and getting your permission, Marianne. Let me be with you"

".............."