“We did not get off to the most favorable of starts,” he said, scowling slightly when she nodded her agreement, “but I feel, and I hope that you do as well, that we have since reached a friendship of sorts.”
She nodded again, thinking that she might make it all the way through the conversation doing nothing but nodding.
“Friendship between the husband and the wife is of the utmost importance,” he continued, “even more important, in my opinion, than love.”
This time she didn’t nod.
“Our marriage will be one based on mutual friendship and respect,” he pontificated, “and I for one could not be more pleased.”
“Respect,” Kate echoed, mostly because he was looking at her expectantly.
“I will do my best to be a good husband to you,” he said. “And, provided that you do not bar me from your b
