Page 62 of The Rules of Matrimony
The door opened behind her, and her hand stilled. Through the reflection in the mirror, she saw Ian hesitate on the threshold.
“Is it all right if I come in?” he asked.
“Yes, of course.” She reached for her robe and hurriedly put her arms into it.
“I saw Edna on the stairs. Do you need another minute?”
“Not at all.” She stood and tied the strings by her neck. “I’ll turn down the counterpane. Which side do you prefer? I haven’t had any warm milk; you needn’t worry about that.”
Ian smiled, as she’d hoped he would, and shut the door behind him. “I’m planning on staying until your mother is asleep. I will spend the night in the library.”
“The library?” Her hands went to her middle.
“Amie,” Ian came farther into the room, stopping at the end of his bed. “After this morning, you know why I cannot stay here tonight.”
She understood. He wanted to maintain boundaries. “Will you take a pillow and blanket?”
“I’ll find something downstairs.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you happy to have your mother here?”
“I think so. I didn’t realize how much I missed her. We’ve been by each other’s side for so long.”
He clasped his hands lightly in his lap. “After my father’s visit, I hope she will be a great comfort to you.”
Amie played with the ribbon on her robe. “I hope that is the case. I would have liked to have more time to establish myself with the staff before her arrival. Mama can be ... unpredictable.” Amie came and perched on the bed, too, leaving several feet between them.
“Who does that remind me of?” Ian teased.
She scowled. “Don’t make me throw a pillow at you.”
He chuckled. “I meant it in the best of ways.” He looked over at the wall between his room and hers. “How long does your mother take to fall asleep?”
“It depends. She has sleepless nights when she misses Papa. She seemed tired after dinner though.”
Ian pulled out his pocket watch. “I will stay a quarter hour and hope she is asleep by then.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded. “Since you ask all the questions and I tell all the stories, perhaps it should be the opposite tonight. You mentioned youweren’t out in Society much before I came along. Did a man catch your fancy and try to court you?”
She shook her head, a little embarrassed to speak of such things in front of Ian. “Mama always said something outrageous, and no matron would let her son near me. We made quite the reputation for ourselves everywhere we went.”
Ian scrunched his brow. “She seems so docile to me.”
“It’s usually when she’s flustered. She was raised well-off, and she can act above her current station. People do not appreciate such airs from a penniless widow.”
“I see. So, no courtships? Just an infatuated cousin?”
“Not an official courtship, but I did have a business suitor. He had a fancy title, but I always preferred Lord Grumpy.”
Ian chuckled. “Aw, I have heard of him. Handsome fellow.”
“Some might think so,” she teased. “He proved himself to be thoughtful too. He drove me to the orchard and accompanied me to the musical and the theater.”
“Don’t forget the lively family dinner party, where he became your besotted swain.”
“You mean the night I thought your father would have an apoplexy from your brazen behavior, and Lord Halbert would request a duel to protect his daughter’s honor?”
“I’m a good shot, you know.”
