Burning diamond

6

The wags concerning Roxanne's public behavior became more insistent and eventually reached Louis's ears. Although Roxanne's unconventional behavior wasn't new to him, but he began to be concerned about their reputation.

One evening he remarked that with her, "Your behavior in public is arousing wags", he told her, "You should be more discreet",

"Discreet? What exactly is so scandalous?",

"You should avoid smoking in public for example",

"Should I? And why? To please the High Society chatterers?",

"It is just the etiquette code",

"When we married you knew I do not care about etiquette. And I don't care about what people think of me",

"I simply don't want my wife to be on people's mouth",

"Are you saying I am embarrassing you?",

"I didn't say that",

"Perhaps we should think about retiring to private life",

"Retiring? And why would we? We are too young", Louis said surprised by the request, "I never appreciated High Society", Roxanne stated,

"How will we spend our days without events to attend to?",

"I don't think I would be bored, even without Society events",

"I think it is premature to retire at our age", Louis commented.

Roxanne had never bore the tedious talking of the High Society Ladies and most of all the Noble's hypocrisy.

Which is why, some time later, during an event, Roxanne had a quarrel with a Lady, caused by some "backward" talking and opinions about her, Roxanne was not the kind of person to let it go and she answered in a provocative way. Aside embarrassment of the present ones, it ended there, but when Roxanne returned home she was reproached by Louis.

He thought "disreputable" her behavior, "Gentlewomen should not have heated arguments in public", he commented,

"I have just answered to a provocation",

"You should have shown yourself a better person than her instead",

"You know I am blunt",

"I think you have already caught enough eyes upon you. Be more discreet", he said, pouring a glass of liquor, "If it was for me, I would not attend Society events at all, I am doing it for you", Roxanne replied,

"Maybe I should go by myself!",

"Maybe you should",

"I think I am not demanding too much, I am just demanding you to have good manners",

"Is there anything else you don't appreciate about me?", she said sarcastically, "You should be more active in intimacy", Louis replied, "When you married me you 'bought' my body, not my feelings! They are to be deserved", Roxanne said irritated, before going to the bedroom.

Her last sentence dismayed Louis, he thought with disappointment that, although he had treated her with respect and he had tried to tolerate her behavior, he had not 'deserved' Roxanne's affection despite everything.

About Roxanne, her bad mood was gone by the next morning. She spent the morning riding around the estate; then she wanted to counsel with her lady-in-waiting about something that was in her mind for some time: she asked her about pregnancy signs, thus the maid listed her the initial signs.

Roxanne wasn't thinking about having a child then, but she knew she had to be prepared for the possibility.

However, Louis did not approach her that night. The following evenings he avoided approaching her again and Roxanne, although she felt "free", began to wonder the reason why; "Are you not going to tell me you are upset?", Louis told her sarcastically, "If you don't appreciate my caresses, why should I share the bed with you?",

"I have never rejected it. So you have nothing to reproach me",

"I forgot I am the one to blame! I haven't done enough to gain your affection",

"Are you offended now?",

"I was aware that you were selfish and overbearing when I married you. And I was aware that you agreed to marry me solely for convenience. But I expected more collaboration by you",

"If you wanted a wife who says yes every time, you have chosen the wrong woman!",

"You are wrong, instead your nonconformist character has always been attrattive to me. But not when you are defensive with me", Louis went to bed, while Roxanne wondered that perhaps he was right and she wasn't doing enough endeavors to reconcile their characters.

Therefore the following day, during lunch, Roxanne remarked the matter, "Concerning our discussion yesterday, I am sorry I wasn't the spouse you wanted", she said, "It's not easy to get along with me and my temper",

"I never asked you to change",

"Yes. You have been good to me",

"I am doing my best. Any other husband would have scolded you harsher than I did for the scene you made the other evening", then he added: "Besides, if you are not comfortable with Society events, you might not come along", Louis stood up and left the table.

Roxanne thought it was better for her to stay away from High Society if Louis wasn't against it.

And concerning the intimacy, Roxanne decided to read again some erotic books in library, so she could learn what to do.