He chuckled. "I suppose it doesn't. Would you be willing to walk with me so we can at least get acquainted?"
"I'd rather not." I hugged my arms across my stomach, bracing myself. "I was hoping to enjoy a bit of private time before you have the right to claim it all."
His eyebrows shot up. They would've been well into his hairline if he had any left. "Excuse me?"
"I would rather not walk with you today," I said, rephrasing it slightly. "I wanted time to come to terms with my future before I have to figure out how to pacify my husband, Mr. Morgan."
Slowly, he began nodding his head. "I see. So should I assume you're shocked by the council's decision? Were you hoping for another suitor, Miss Ross?"
"I was hoping for no suitor, Mr. Morgan."
The man clenched his jaw so hard a muscle jumped along the side. "Oh? Don't you want children?"
Biting my lips together, I realized I'd never actually considered that. In truth, I'd never been offered the choice. Having children was the sole purpose for all women.
"Mr. Morgan -"
"Peter. We're going to be married, after all," he broke in.
I nodded to show I'd heard him. "The fact of it is that whether or not I want children doesn't matter."
"But it does," he countered. "God has made it clear your purpose is to be fruitful. The compound is at the lowest numbers we've seen in the history of our existence. Every child is important - otherwise the Devil will overtake us."
"And hence whether I want them or not doesn't matter," I countered. "My place is to have them. My desires do not figure into the life you have planned for me."
"No, I suppose they don't," he agreed, glancing back to where Callah was doing her best to ignore us. "Should I assume you feel more at ease with a chaperone in the room, Miss Ross?"
"Yes," I said, refusing to explain again that I didn't really want his presence. "I'm also curious why you wanted to see me. I would think you would have learned at least something about me before you made your proposal?"
"I wanted to give you a chance to get to know me," he explained.
Well, I would gladly take him up on that. And, since he'd offered, he couldn't even be offended at my questions. Pulling in a long, deep breath, I looked up at this man, aware that handsome was not a word I would ever use to describe him.
"Tell me, are you offended if your wife reads?" I dared to ask.
"Depends on what she reads. I would think you're familiar with the Bible by now?"
"Yes, sir. There are other books."
He grunted, sounding unsure of that. "And what exactly do you plan to read?"
I tried to choose my words carefully. "Anything you let me? I'm afraid knitting has never been something I excel at."
"Crochet? You should have a hobby that is at least useful," he informed me.
One more time, I sighed, because his answer meant books wouldn't be allowed in my future. "Needlepoint, then, or weaving. And I assume you will support me assisting the hunters in the infirmary?"
"Oh yes," he agreed. "That was actually what made me take note of you, Miss Ross." He smiled, but the look didn't put me at ease. "I heard you've saved many of our young men."
"I have."
That made him lift a brow again. "Is that pride I hear?" His tone held a warning.
"No, Mr. Morgan," I assured him. "It is a fact. God has gifted me with a talent for keeping our Righteous hunters alive, and I am eternally grateful for it."
"Better," he said, his pale blue eyes boring into me as if he could control my mouth with his will alone.
So I decided to change the subject. "And how long have you been widowed?"
"Two years."
A thought trickled into the back of my head. "How old is your son?"
He laughed softly. "Twenty-one, but his mother was your father's first cousin. I'm sorry."
"I see. And the consummation?"
Callah sucked in a breath, the only sign of her still in the room. Thankfully, Mr. Morgan completely ignored her.
"Direct." He crossed his arms over his chest, looking rather unimpressed. "I assure you, Miss Ross, our marriage will be consummated on our wedding night."
"Whether I want to or not," I mumbled.
The words were barely out of my mouth before he reached over and slapped me. "I will not tolerate such an attitude from my wife."
I flinched. Callah gasped again, louder this time. Sadly, I wasn't exactly surprised. My comment had been all but begging for punishment. This man had a reputation for keeping his wives under his thumb. If I still had two days, then I needed to think of some way to protect myself, and fast.
So, I took a deep breath and looked up at him. Mr. Morgan hadn't hit me hard, but it had been solid enough to get the point across. Hard enough to make my skin burn, proving there was likely a red mark across my cheek.
