Page 90 of The Rules of Matrimony
His mother’s sniffles caught his attention. Ian reached for her hand. “Don’t cry another tear on the matter. You have our full support.”
Mama blinked back the moisture accumulating in her eyes and set her hand on his. “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you.”
He let himself perch on the edge of the bed, his mental energy spent. “There is a benefit to being born into a stubborn line of men. If we want to change something, we throw our energy into changing it. Today, we can begin anew, and when we misstep—an inevitable eventuality—we will try again tomorrow.”
Father’s mouth softened into a crooked smile, and Ian saw the hint of relief and hope there.
Mama gave a grateful smile of her own. “If you can find it in your heart to let go of the hurt we have caused you, we will want for nothing more.” Her smile faltered. “Except ... except for Amie. Don’t let us come between the two of you. Since the moment I met her at the graveyard, I knew she had a heart as big as yours.”
Ian couldn’t help his amusement. “Is this your way of confessing to your involvement?”
Mama wiped at her tears. “I suppose I owe you an explanation for that too.”
He nodded. “It’s not a surprise if that helps.”
“I didn’t start out intending to find a stranger for you. All of us were feeling the strain and importance of your marrying, but I couldn’t breathe well enough here to think clearly. London hasalways had that effect on me, and I had to escape it for a moment. When I arrived at the graveyard, I thought talking things over with your grandfather would help me make sense of the obligation you and your father carry to the family and the title. I didn’t expect my nerves to follow me there. I was a splendid wreck, and I needed a friend desperately. No sooner had I wished for someone than Amie came right up to me and offered me a small bouquet of flowers.”
“She never told me.” Amie was always generous and thoughtful, but knowing she had served his mother touched him deeply.
A smile hovered on his mother’s mouth. “Amie was an angel to me when I needed one. I had hoped something would come of that day, because our meeting felt orchestrated by heaven itself, but I must give Mrs. Tyler her share of the credit. I merely planted an idea, and she masterfully executed it.”
“An idea?”
“I told her that the good name of Lord Reynolds would be at her disposal should she need it.”
Ian sputtered a laugh and turned to his father. “Your wife is responsible for Amie and me being together. What do you say to that?”
He shrugged. “Your mother is a wise woman. She was smart not to tell me about it until I could see the truth for myself. It is clear she has far better taste than I, though I’ve often wondered what she sees in me.”
Mama let go of Ian’s hand and went to his father, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I saw a good man intent on changing the world for the better, and the love of my life. I kept this little secret from you because I knew you were in one of your moods where you had a point to prove.”
“I’m never in one of those moods,” Father teased, reaching for Mama’s hands.
As sweet as the turn in conversation was, it was too private for Ian’s taste. He was still processing this new revelation and had a lot to work through. “On that note, I shall take my leave.” He hadsomething very important to do. A thrum of anticipation pulsed through him, urging him to act straightaway. “I need to find Amie.”
“Please do,” Mama said. “Kiss her for us.”
He nodded and proceeded to the door.
“Son?”
The single word stopped him. Ian turned and faced his father. “Yes?”
“I’ve written to my colleagues about your criminal law proposal. I’m duly impressed by your ideas.”
“Truly?” A letter from his father could go a long way, though Ian had sworn to never ask for it.
Father nodded. “Ian ...” He hesitated. “I’m bumbling this, but I want you to know I’ve never been more proud of you. I should have told you a long time ago, but I’ve never been one to talk about feelings. When a man faces death, it makes him regret a few things. So I want to wish you luck with your work and new marriage. Something I should have done a long time ago.”
The relief on his father’s face was evident, as if each word had cost him but unburdened him. And the effort had been worth everything to Ian.
Ian’s eyes stung, and he blinked furiously. “Thank you, Father. That means a lot.” So much so that he suddenly felt taller, greater, and more capable. All because of the love of his father. A love he had not felt for as long as he could remember.
Chapter 43
Amie had stood rigidly staringat the library door after Ian had left her. It had felt like Papa had died all over again. Lost and alone, she’d taken the carriage back to their townhome and found Mama in the drawing room, embroidering a coin purse, oblivious to the heartache staring at her from the doorway.
“Amie?” Mama finally set the coin purse aside and stood. “Amie, you do not look well at all.”
