Page 84 of The Rules of Matrimony
Ian set his hand on the top book in the pile. “You may leave them at his door.” The look that followed held a reminder of their earlier agreement.
She swallowed but did not nod. She didn’t want to lie to him, but neither did she want to lose such a perfectly crafted opportunity.
“You can entertain yourself in the library until I finish,” Ian said, “or until Mama returns.”
Amie smiled at them. “Don’t worry about me. Both of you go about your business, and I will tell the maid where to find me.”
Lady Kellen disappeared to fetch her spencer, and Ian ventured off toward the study. Amie hugged the books to her chest. Could she be as brave as Lord Kellen believed her to be? Ian would undoubtedly be angry with her involvement. The very thought worried her. Could she sacrifice the strides they’d made in their relationship to help him with his father? She’d never been good with knowing someone was unwell and not doing something about it. These two were unwell in their hearts, and her feet itched until she directed them up the stairs to act on her plan.
Instead of leaving the books at the door for a maid to find, she rapped her knuckles against the white-painted wood.
A muffled voice filtered through the door. “Come in.”
Amie turned the handle and let herself in. “Good morning, Lord Kellen.”
“Oh, it is you again.” His bored stare only encouraged her.
“I brought some books your wife selected.” She forced herself not to cower by the door and strode to his bedside table to set them down. “You appear more alert today. Are you feeling better?”
“You should hope I am not. I have nothing against you, truly. But I still plan to separate you from my son when I am better.”
“No hard feelings, Your Lordship.”
His brow rose, and he chuckled. “Is that so?”
She nodded and motioned to sit in the chair beside his bed. “May I?”
“By all means. I could use some entertainment, and you do say the most surprising things.”
She gingerly lowered herself into the chair, ignoring his jibe. Her nerves were stretching taunt, and she felt too much fear for annoyance to take purchase. Was she really going to break Ian’s confidence? She prayed she was doing the right thing. “The last time we spoke, you asked me why Ian hated you.”
Lord Kellen’s amused demeanor fell. “I remember.”
“I have discovered the reason.”
“And?” He folded his arms across his chest, and for a moment, he looked very much like his son. Perhaps this wasn’t her best idea.
“And,” she began, her hands shaking, “he ... he resents the way you treat his mother.” She said the last part quickly, spitting the words out before they could get caught on her tongue.
“What?” Lord Kellen didn’t believe her. She could tell by his incredulous expression.
She didn’t care to go into detail, but it looked as if she would have to expound a little. “I cannot tell you much more, except that he disapproves of your mistresses.”
What little color Lord Kellen had gained in the past few days drained from his face.
Good heavens. “Lord Kellen? Are you well?”
He did not answer her, his eyes swinging blankly to the end of the bed.
She jumped to her feet and hurriedly poured him a glass of water from the pitcher by his bed. What if she caused a relapse? What had she done?
“Drink this, please.” She set it close to his mouth.
He pushed it away. “Sit down.”
His voice did not shake or sound weak. That, at least, was something.
“Are you certain you do not need a drink? Or more medicine perhaps?” Should she call for the doctor?
