Page 85 of From Best Friend to Bride
Could I really say I’d be this close to her before the wedding?
No.
That was a line of thought I didn’t want to walk down.
“I married you because I wanted to,” I said firmly. “So, stop bringing it up. You aren’t a burden to me. Your family is not a burden to my family. Your happiness is our happiness, so stop with guilting yourself, all right?”
“I know, but I just—”
This time, I silenced her with my hand fully over her mouth instead of my finger. “You’re a broken record, Delilah. Be quiet.”
I could see in her eyes that she was pouting, and before I could placate her, she bit me.
She fuckingbitme.
I hissed, yanking my hand away from her face. “You little—”
She poked her tongue out at me. “I couldn’t breathe!” She checked her watch and hopped off the stool. “I have work in a couple of hours. I’m going to take a bath.”
“Try not to bite anyone on the way,” I replied, rubbing the spot on my hand that the little menace had sunken her teeth into.
“If they keep their hands to themselves, there won’t be a problem.” She left the kitchen, taking her tea with her, and smiled at one of the housekeepers. “Good afternoon!”
The housekeeper startled, then quickly bowed her head and said, “Good afternoon, my lady.”
Deli’s steps faltered for the briefest second. I doubted anyone else would have noticed it even if they’d been looking for it, but I was almost expecting it.
She still wasn’t used to being addressed so formally.
I couldn’t speak for anyone else, but I thought it was fucking hilarious.
The housekeeper—Marcie—did a double-take when she looked at me. “Are you all right, my lord?” she asked, brow furrowed in concern. “Have you hurt your hand?”
“Ah, no. I just got bitten by an unruly little cat.” I glanced in the direction Deli had just disappeared in, my lips pulling up to one side.
Catching it, Marcie stifled a laugh. “I hope it’s not serious.”
“Not at all. Thank you for asking.” I sipped my tea, glancing at the small red patch on my palm by the heel of my thumb. “How’s your daughter doing with her piano lessons?”
She lit up. “Oh, so much better after you helped her with that piece, my lord. It seems to have unstuck that little wall she’d built up, and she’s performing at the end of year concert.” She paused. “She asked if you would attend if I bring a ticket for you.”
I hadn’t intended to visit the local primary school’s concert, but… “Send me the information for it, and I’ll see if I’m available. If so, I don’t see why not.”
“Thank you.” She beamed. “Do you think the countess would also come?”
I smiled. “I’m sure she’d love to.”
And if she didn’t, then it was tough shit. I’d already answered for her.
She had to show her face in public as my wife at some point, after all.
Marcie and I made small talk as she went about her duties, then she bade me goodbye and headed off with a promise to bring the concert information in with her tomorrow.
Left alone to my thoughts, I checked my hand. There was still a red mark where Deli had taken a chomp out of my finger, and I frowned.
Maybe I should have let my intrusive thoughts win after all. She had, clearly.
Although my intrusive thoughts were a lot more damaging than one little nip of my hand.
