Page 25 of The Rules of Matrimony
“Of course. It makes perfect sense.” She wouldn’t have dared say no anyway.
“I think at least two public outings are acceptable enough before I obtain a special license. Having connections is one benefit of being my father’s son. We are family friends with the archbishop, and he will understand when I tell him that I want a quiet ceremony without thetonflocking to gawk at us.”
Special licenses were not common and were terribly expensive. It was yet another reminder that she was a weed trying to hide in a well-cultivated garden. “What sort of outings did you have in mind?”
And what would she wear?
“If you consent, I shall take you to a musical where we might attract the attention of a number of witnesses. And how about the theater on Saturday?”
A sudden thrill at the opportunities before her overtook any concerns of wardrobe. “I love music, and I have always wanted to attend the theater.”
He frowned. “You’ve never attended the theater?”
“I haven’t had the opportunity.”
He playfully shook his head. “I am marrying Miss Unfortunate.”
She scoffed. “I have been quite content with my life—minus the lack of stability. And what about you? Perhaps you are the unfortunate one,Lord Grumpy.”
Ian straightened fully, his lower lip pulling down on the corners. “And what if I am?”
She took a step back, not sure why she had thought it a good idea to tease him back. “I ... don’t know.”
He smirked and took a step back toward the drawing room. “The theater will be a priority. Everyone ought to experience it at least once.” He gave a little flourish with his arm. “Lord Grumpy will send his carriage.”
Chapter 9
Sitting beside Amie at thetheater was entirely distracting. No matter how Ian tried, he couldn’t focus on the play. His gaze kept straying to her. She was not at all what he had expected. It was as true now as it had been from the beginning, but he thought he would be able to predict her a little bit more by now.
For starters, her clothing had changed. Her gowns were now fitted in just the right places, the colors warm and inviting. Her hair had changed too. Where were the tufts of curls spilling out at strange angles? And her wide smile that she so freely bore while watching the play below them gave contest to her dewy eyes.
The truth was she was a far prettier woman than he felt comfortable marrying. Blast. It was a little too late to realize that, wasn’t it?
Matters were progressing in other realms as well. Father had thrown a royal tantrum and kept Ian up the entire night after their dinner party, but Ian had won out in the end only because his father had called his bluff. He did not think his son would go through with the marriage.
But all the eyes of the audience had wandered their way at least once already tonight. Word had traveled past Chestervale and through all of London. So no matter how pretty Amie was, he wasn’t backing down. He was getting married.
At least the musical had gone without exception. Minus Amie’s humming along. Ian coughed into his hand to hide his laugh. She was rather naive. It was charming.Almost. He squashed the thought before he became carried away.
His parents’ gazes suddenly seared the back of his neck. Father and Mother had joined them in the family box, and it was a good reminder that he did not want a relationship like they had. A one-sided love was undesirable and heartbreaking. His mother deserved better. His father deserved nothing. They had had an arranged marriage, too, but supposedly had come to love each other in thebeginning. A lot of good it had done them. Just as Ian’s grandfather hadn’t stayed faithful to his wife, neither had his father or his father’s brother, for that matter. The men in Ian’s family were glowing examples of a lack of familial bonding. He had no plans to perpetuate the pattern for future generations.
In fact, he hoped that after his marriage, he wouldn’t have a reason to see his father again.
Amie laughed at the antics on stage. It was not a quiet laugh but a full laugh. Ian couldn’t help smiling at her reaction. Seeing life through her eyes had to be an enchanting experience. But he was Lord Grumpy, as she had so plainly and correctly dubbed him, and he was content just the way he was. He defied anyone—especially his father—to try to change him.
When intermission came, his parents took a walk to stretch their legs. He’d thought he and Amie would never be free of them. It was the perfect opportunity to speak privately with her.
“Are you enjoying the play?” he asked.
Her eyes lit up. “I adore it!”
“Good. I will have to arrange for you to see another after the wedding.” By herself, of course, since they would not be meshing their lives together. He cleared his throat. “Everything is in order for the ceremony day after tomorrow. Will you be ready by then?”
Her unguarded expression suddenly closed. “Yes. My aunt has generously seen to my wedding clothes.”
Ah, so her aunt and uncle were providing her new wardrobe. He had left them money for wedding arrangements, but he still wondered why they hadn’tgenerouslyseen to caring for her before their engagement. “Is there anything you need? No trouble with your cousin?”
“I thank you for asking. He is moping about the house and refusing to speak with anyone, including me.”
