Page 119 of The Lyon Whisperer
“Ah.”
She fisted her hand under her chin. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I have always fostered a strong belief my mother and I shared a kindredness of spirit. Father rarely speaks of her, but I’ve managed to glean things over the years and came to think, to hope, I suppose, she would approve of my sometimes-unconventional manner.”
“I’m sure she would,” he murmured.
She gazed up at him. “Really? Why do you say so?”
He had no substantive answer. He didn’t know the first thing about her mother, and his experience with his own had not impressed upon him a deep conviction concerning the infallibility of motherhood. Hedidknow Amelia was a rare and special creature. He could not imagine her mother would not have adored her, had she lived.
She scrunched her brow. “You think she would approve of me, when you yourself have expressed concern over my behavior, going so far as to issue stern warnings should I fail to stay within the boundaries of social expectations?”
“I only want what’s best for you, Amelia.”
Her mouth curved downward. “Spokenexactlylike my father, who has never approved of me. Do you know, I think he despaired I would ever make a favorable match thanks to my outspokenness and unladylike interests? I’m sure that is why he insisted we marry so quickly.”
If the subject of their hasty marriage never came up again, it would be too soon.
“Really, sir, I still cannot fathom why you agreed to his demand, what with your own stated doubts over my ability to behave in a manner aligned with your stringent standards.”
He sent her a faint smile, refusing to take the bait. “I have faith in you, and no real complaints about your behavior.”
She arched a black brow. “Really? Have your thoughts about my midnight ride changed?”
“No, but that happened only once, and you promised not to do such a thing again.”
“What about my proclivity to rescue helpless animals?”
With effort, he held onto his patience. “I have not tossed your charges out on their furry ears, have I?”
She resumed fingering his clothing. “No. But you have forbidden me to bring any others home.”
He said nothing.
“You have also warned me against speaking my mind in public and, thus far, seem to disapprove of every book I’ve read.”
“Waverleywas not an issue.”
She smiled slightly. She couldn’t argue that, at least. “That’s something, I suppose.”
“I would also like to point out I have found you neither overly opinionated nor outspoken.”
“Not to the extent my father led you to expect?”
He opened his mouth to refute her words, then closed it. He was still trying to come up with a conciliatory statement when she went on.
“I remind you the time I danced twice in a row with that horrid Lord Tully, you were greatly vexed.”
He sighed, and crooked a finger under her chin, tilting her head back. “Yes, well, I was wrong wasn’t I?”
Her violet eyes went wide.
“I was too hard on you. The truth is…” He paused. “I was jealous. I did not like seeing my beautiful wife in the arms of one of theton’s most notorious cuckolders, not to mention a man who would like nothing more than to cause me strife.”
Her expression softened. “As to that, he does not hold a candle to you, my lord. No man does.”
His chest went tight, and an unfamiliar emotion swamped him. It burned through him and felt a lot like need, and it bloody terrified him.
It also felt…very good.
