While his words could have been completely sincere, they were said with a coldness Elsie still wasn’t quite accustomed to. She’d learned to take him at his word while ignoring the manner in which they were spoken. Often she had to remind herself of what had changed. Oscar had been so different before the night of their wedding, but always so perfectly charming when it mattered. Once again, her mother had explained the shift away with comments about how hard he worked and how it was Elsie’s job to soothe all his tension away. Which she did, often. He wasn’t the sort of man a woman could refuse.<br/><br/>Oscar’s controlled grip around her throat left her luscious lips parted slightly in a silent gasp. She’d grown used to the feeling, even found that in particular moments, she liked it. What took her completely by surprise was the simple fact that they were not alone and he was not coaxing her into arousal. He was angry and the hand around her delicate neck took on a completely different meaning.<br/><br/>He’d pulled her close and the length of her body was pressed to his. Of course, her eyes were focused on his chest before her innocent blue gaze lifted to one she knew would be full of irritation, if anything at all. His released her suddenly, pushing her back by both wrist and neck. If hadn’t been for the layers of fabric at her feet, she wouldn’t have tripped at all. Yet, without the ability to step backwards as needed, he’d effectively knocked her over with hardly any effort. Lucky for her, the table was there to catch her.<br/><br/>Regaining herself, rubbing at her side where it had made contact with the table edge, Elsie caught her breath. Trembling fingers pushed disheveled hair from her face as her dress forced the mounds of her breasts upwards as she took in deep breaths to calm herself.<br/><br/>Oscar began to speak again, as if he’d nothing of note to frighten her. The total disregard for her personally left Elsie wondering if she had deserved that. She’d neglected her husband in favor of something he believed to be trivial, and why should he think otherwise? Her eyes caught the sight of him rolling the button on his sleeve as she stood fully once more and smoothed her dress.<br/><br/>Surprise hit her then, soon woven with confusion. Elsie knew nothing of the Commissioner, taking her husband’s voluntary interaction with the officer as tribute to honest ways.<br/><br/>“You would that? I just… I thought…” She stumbled over her thoughts and her words, before settling on, “I’d greatly appreciate that, dear.”<br/><br/>And then he asked if she had plans. She very well knew he knew of her plans and Elsie furrowed her brows slightly before realizing what he was doing. The National Women Suffrage Association had scheduled an unofficial convention and dinner. With Anthony still sitting in a jail cell, if felt imperative that as many women be present as possible. And yet, Oscar was setting her up to disappoint him.<br/><br/>She ran her fingers over the sensitive skin of her neck, still in shock about how different his grip had felt. Elsie lifted her eyes to his, obviously affected and knocked down a few notches.<br/><br/>“Nothing of importance.” He had taken all her power, but if she couldn’t attend the convention she had helped plan, she could still be a good wife and attempt to make him pleased with her once more. Elsie would have to remember to send a note to Jacquelyn and Mattie to let them know she wouldn’t be present and to skip her moment in the spotlight.<br/><br/>Later, that particular maid would make sure to seek out the lady of the house, out of concern of course.