Page 68 of The Rules of Matrimony
She was exhausted and didn’t need to be around his volatile family again. Not after the way she had been treated last time.
“I will have Sir James put you up for the night and make arrangements for you to return home in the morning.”
Someone cleared their throat.
Ian turned his head to see Paul step into the entryway. His eyes went to Ian’s hand holding Amie’s, making Ian immediately drop it.
Amusement flickered in his friend’s gaze. “May I greet Lady Reynolds?” Paul asked, stepping forward without any consent from Ian.
Paul took Amie’s hand, the one Ian had just dropped, and bowed over it. “It is a pleasure to see you again, my lady.”
Pleasure? Ian ground his teeth. Why did Paul get to take pleasure from seeing Amie again when Ian had to keep all his confusing feelings locked up tight? Nothing was right anymore. Nothing.
“Your journey was long,” Paul continued. “You must take a seat and have some refreshment. Sir James is nearly finished with his business, and I am sure he would like to meet the new Lady Reynolds.” Paul suddenly reached forward and steadied Amie’s arm. Ian’s friend didn’t care to touch anyone but his wife, so his gesture did not go unnoticed. It was then that Ian realized Amie had begun shaking. It was all he could do to keep from taking up her other arm, but it seemed Paul’s arm was sufficient for her.
“I am well enough, thank you,” she said. “I must be going.”
“So soon?” Paul frowned and sent a chastising gaze Ian’s way.
Ian folded his arms across his chest, ignoring Paul’s glare and sending one of his own toward his wife. “You are resting here, and I am going.”
“I won’t be in the way,” she said. “I’ll stay in the drawing room or wherever the family is not.”
Paul’s frown deepened. “Why would you need to stay hidden away? What is this, Ian?”
“My father is ill,” Ian explained. “And Amie clearly needs rest.”
Surprise lit Paul’s face. “I came straight here after my recent trip. I hadn’t heard any news or opened any correspondence after reading your invitation to come here. How serious is it?”
“Very,” Amie said.
“Mother sent a letter.” Ian didn’t have any specifics to offer him.
Amie smiled up at Paul. “It was good to see you again, Mr. Sheldon, but we really must go.”
“Amie,” Ian sighed.
Paul released his hold on Amie. “I will explain everything to Sir James, Ian. Send me word when you arrive. I want to know how he fares. I will let you two alone to discuss the particulars.” Before he left, Paul leaned toward Ian’s ear and hissed, “Take her arm. She looks like she is going to collapse.”
Thoroughly chastened, Ian moved to Amie’s side and put his arm around her back, his voice full of apology. “Come, you need to sit down.”
She immediately relaxed against him. “I’m well enough. My nerves are a little taut from a pesky little storm on the way over.”
“A storm?” They’d had rain here but not thunder or lightning. His stomach clenched at the thought of her suffering alone. “I’m sorry for what you had to endure.”
“It was mostly rain, and Edna’s constant chatter was distracting. I can rest in the carriage.”
He met her gaze, the proximity making the effect far more lethal to his heart than before. Her genuine concern for his father’s welfare and his mother’s comfort touched him. “This wasn’t part of our agreement, Amie, you having to race through the night, in a storm no less, to give me this news yourself.”
“I wanted to,” she whispered. “But I will stay here if the only way you will go is alone.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t want to leave her here, where he was unsure if she would take ill herself. He knew it made her feel of worth to help others, and that was why she had come all this way and risked her own mental faculties, but it didn’t make his decision any easier. He swallowed. “I don’t wish to go alone. Would you please accompany me?”
A tired smile crossed her face, not one of rejoicing for getting her way but one full of genuine care. “Whatever you need, Ian. I want to be your friend, come what may.”
Friend? He wanted to scoff at the word. It didn’t come close to defining the wave of comfort her nearness gave him, or really anything he felt for her anymore. But if his father were truly ill, Ian suddenly knew she was who he would need most of all.
Chapter 33
