Page 75 of The Rules of Matrimony
“You are generous to give me the blame for this, but I cannot accept it. Your relationship suffered before I ever met myhusband.” She hadn’t meant to put emphasis on the wordhusband, but it did add a nice touch to her statement.
To her surprise, Lord Kellen chuckled. “Youarebrave.”
She looked down at the book in her hands.
“But are you brave enough? Do me a favor and prove your worth.”
Her gaze flew upward. “What?”
“You heard me. Prove to me that you are meant to be my son’s wife. Tell me why my son despises me.”
That would require far more bravery than she possessed. “And if I give you your answer?”
“I will let the state of your marriage fall to the two of you. It’s obvious you love him.”
Her eyes widened. Did her face betray her innermost feelings?
He chuckled again. “Read to me now, and think about it. I’m growing tired, and you know where to find me when you’re ready.”
This had been a most confusing day. She picked up the book and thumbed to the right page. Her voice started shaky, but she persevered through each sentence, refusing to show how much Lord Kellen intimidated her. Her attention, however, was not on the words but on Lord Kellen’s challenge. Even if she were to ask Ian about his father, she didn’t know if he would tell her. But she had a feeling that whatever it was was the same reason that he had written their rules and sworn her to their contract.
Chapter 38
Ian set his hand onAmie’s shoulder, and she stopped reading. He smiled down at her and pointed to his sleeping father. He put his finger to his lips and motioned to the door with his hand. They did not stop in the corridor but continued to the stairs. They walked side by side as they descended. She really wished he would offer his arm. After the day she’d had, she wanted to lean on him.
“Thank you for reading to my father,” Ian said. “We can speak in the library, if you’d like.”
“Thank you.” The library sounded perfectly private, which she needed for what she was about to tell him.
“How did the reading go? Was my father on his best behavior?”
“He wasn’t on his worst behavior,” she ventured.
Ian halted on the stairs. “Blast. I knew he was up to something. What did he say to you?”
His voice was loud enough to wake his father. “Nothing new.”
“What does that mean?”
She continued down the stairs without him. “It means he does not dote on his only daughter-in-law, but on a positive note, we know that my reading voice bores him to sleep.”
Ian shook his head and caught up with her, his long legs making short work of the distance. “You are not to see him again unless I am with you.”
“He is all bluster and no harm.”
“He is a monster.”
At the base of the stairs, it was Amie’s turn to stop. Her voice low, she asked, “Why do you say that? I know he disapproves of me,but that isn’t the most monstrous attribute. I have plenty of relatives who have disliked Mama and me.”
Ian’s hand went to his hip. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“But you have to a good reason for despising him as you do.”
“It’s a long story.”
She hesitated long enough to muster her courage. “Will you tell me?”
Ian stared at her for a moment, indecision flashing behind his eyes. He dropped his shoulders, sighed, and motioned her to the library. Silently, she followed him, wondering if this was the end of their conversation. Rosewood shelves lined the room, teeming with books. It was cozier than she’d hoped. A large Bible stood on display on a pedestal in the corner, and a family portrait hung above the mantel. A small fire flickered behind a decorative grate, with a sofa and stout sofa table with thick legs placed before it.
