Page 67 of The Rules of Matrimony
Only a Rebel would be idiotic enough to challenge Ian on a personal matter. He glowered at Paul. “We have an arrangement,” he hissed. “And you are fully aware of it. She doesn’t want to see me, and I don’t want to see her.”
He didn’t know why the mere mention of Amie had his hackles up. He was far too sensitive where she was concerned. His tendre for her would fade, and he would forget her soon enough. Maybe by then his friends would learn to keep their ideas to themselves.
A knock sounded on the door, and Sir James’s butler stuck his gray-haired head inside. “There is a caller for you, Lord Reynolds. She says she is your wife.”
Ian nearly jumped out of his seat, his eyes flicking to Paul.
Paul had an annoying smile growing on his face. “She doesn’t want to see you, does she?”
Paul’s response did not irk him this time. All his thoughts were for Amie. Thoughts full of concern. He hurried to the door. Something had to be wrong for her to come to him.
“Where is she?” he asked the butler.
“In the entrance hall, my lord.”
He pushed past the older man and jogged toward the entrance hall. Amie was facing away from him when he saw her. His chest caught, hungry for the sight of her. “Amie?”
She turned at the sound of her name. Her face was drawn and her skin pale. Too pale. “Oh, thank heavens,” she breathed, stepping toward him.
He closed the distance between them and started to reach for her, just stopping himself. He would not undo the progress he had made in one thoughtless moment. “Why are you here?”
His voice came out gruffer than intended, and she hesitated. “I—I have news.”
“Is it your mother? Is she ill?”
She shook her head before reaching a hand up to rub her tired eyes. She looked poor indeed. He fisted his hand to resist the innate need to steady her.
“It is not Mama. I received a letter while you were gone from your mother with urgent news. It’s your father who is ill. I traveled through the night, and I hope I’m not too late with the news.”
He stepped back. “My father is ill?”
“Lady Kellen says that they are not sure if he will live the week. Ian, you must go to him with all haste.” She dug into her reticule and handed him the creased parchment.
He took it and read it through. Dropping the letter to his side, his eyes went to the long windows beside the door, glazing over. “It’s a trick.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mother. She wants us to be together. This is just like her. She has this sixth sense about my motivations. First, she interfered with us and now with Father. I am needed here and cannot go.”
“Ian, you’re not thinking straight.” Amie drew closer, her brown eyes wide and imploring. “Your father could die. If you cannot be there for him, you must be there for your mother. Please. You could regret this for the rest of your life.”
He shook his head. “My father cannot be that ill. We saw him mere weeks ago and in perfect health.” It was not denial. He just did not believe it.
Amie put her hand on his arm, making him tense. Reminding her of rule number one likely wouldn’t remove her purposeful grip. “I’m sorry, Ian.”
Reality seemed to sink into his understanding. He was not so naive as to believe that life couldn’t change in an instant. Mother had never lied so outrightly before. He couldn’t see her joking about something so serious. “I suppose ... I suppose I could look into it.”
“Don’t waste a moment,” she begged. “I would have given anything to see my father once more before he died.”
It couldn’t be so dire. Ian refused to believe it. That deuced man didn’t have it in him to show any weakness to anyone. But the worry in Amie’s eyes was Ian’s undoing. He didn’t have to see his father to visit the house. He would speak to his mother and ascertain the circumstances. Finally, he nodded.
Amie sighed, relief evident on her worn features. Why hadn’t she sent someone to deliver the news for her?
“I told them to keep the carriage ready,” she said. “I hope we find him better when we get there.” She pulled away and turned to the door.
He caught her hand without thinking twice. “We?”
Amie raised a brow, glancing at their hands and then up at him. “I’m not trying to force myself on you. I thought you might burden your mother further if you left me behind.”
