Chapter Eight
In a conversation with her mother later that night, Antonia was advised to accept the role that her husband desired of her. Honoria warned her that Rupert had become a much more powerful man with Benito’s estate in his control. It would not be wise to cross him. Antonia should graciously relent to the man when he wanted her, and even if she were unhappy with him, she should be grateful that he had a lover he preferred to her. There was no shame in being the proper wife and hostess, in covering her disquiet with a pleasing smile, and even relenting to the indignity of the s****l relations he demanded. She was told to enjoy what pleasure there was. Once she did that, she’d find her pleasure expanding in ways she did not expect.
Honoria counseled her daughter in exactly the w
