Page 64 of The Rules of Matrimony
Her eyes had competition, for he had recently developed an obsession with her lips. Before he could stop himself, he replayed their kiss from that morning. Not once but easily a dozen times. No amount of tossing and turning could keep her from his mind. When the early hours of dawn began to lighten the room, he discovered that Tiny had come and fallen asleep on his leg.
What a great future he had before him—spending long nights with his dog and his miserable self. He shifted Tiny off his leg, and the dog looked up sleepily at him before nestling back into the blanket. Then Ian rose from the sofa and stretched his tight muscles—penance for his irritating lack of self-control.
Growling under his breath, he swore to himself that today he would be a better man. But no matter how committed he was to keeping Amie at bay and devoting himself to his work, he couldn’tdo it while being near her. She was a chink in his armor—a soft spot that grew more magnified with every interaction until it felt more like a heady intoxication instead of a weakness. It meant one thing: he had to leave.
He no longer trusted himself.
What excuse could he give for abandoning Amie and her mother? He had promised to put on an act to convince Mrs. Tyler—though the act was becoming more real by the minute. He rubbed his thumb across the cleft in his chin. What could he do?
He stepped out into the corridor just as his butler came toward him with a silver platter in his hand. Atop it was a letter.
“This was delivered by way of the servants’ entrance,” Mr. Hamburg said.
“Thank you.” Ian picked up the folded note and stared curiously at the unrecognizable seal. “I’ll find you if a response is needed.”
Mr. Hamburg nodded and left him.
Was this what he hoped it was? Ripping into it, he scanned the contents. Sir James wanted to meet right away. He had plans to present to parliament soon and begged for Ian’s immediate response.
Energy coursed through Ian’s veins. This was what he needed to convince Mrs. Tyler of the need for his quick departure. And Amie ... It would put the necessary distance between them and allow him to return to his senses. He would ask her feelings first, but he knew she would understand. She understood far more about him than most who had known him his entire life.
y
Watching through the drawing room window, Amie followed Ian with her eyes until he and his horse disappeared behind the tree line along the road. Their goodbye had been stilted, forced—affectionless. The clouds formed a gray shade over her view, and a heaviness settled inside her. He was gone. Just as planned.
Mama came up behind her and set a hand on her arm. “It is usual for men to have business they must see to. You cannot depend for them to always be about. It wouldn’t be good for a marriage anyway. You would start to irritate each other.” Mama sighed, glancing out the same window. “Though he was rather vague about when he would return.”
Amie forced a smile. “I am used to entertaining myself. He should be gone as long as he likes. I won’t pine for him, I assure you.”
“Good girl,” Mama patted her arm. “It feels like a fresh start here. I rather like it.”
Amie studied her mother. She seemed much refreshed after her night’s rest. Her words, though, were what captured Amie’s attention. They were filled with hope and promise, and they were just what Amie needed herself. She covered Mama’s hand with her own. “We will have a good life here, Mama. We’ll be happy again.”
Mama smiled. “I am already. The day you married Lord Reynolds, my grief shed like an old skin. Living with your uncle and aunt, though, did not encourage me toward any amount of joy. But here I can breathe again.”
“It is not too small for you?”
Mama hated cramped spaces.
“Not at all. This room is a decent size.” Mama moved to the sofa and smoothed her hand over the wood frame. “We ought to redecorate though. Get it up to snuff. A viscountess cannot entertain with these dated fabrics and rugs.”
She had forgotten that Mama had a good eye for decor. Amie should have waited until her arrival to do over her bedchamber. Ian had left plenty of money to see to other rooms too. “Shall it be our first project together?”
Mama grinned—a full ear-to-ear grin. “Let’s ride into town to get a swatch of fabrics.”
Amie couldn’t remember seeing her mother so enthused. She nodded, and they hurried to gather their bonnets and reticules. Thedistraction was needed. Surely, after suppressing the gnawing ache in her chest for a few days more, it would fade completely.
y
A week passed, and Amie hadn’t heard anything from Ian. She had hoped by now a letter would come. Mama asked every morning over breakfast, and every morning, Amie disappointed her. It rained off and on all week, but no thunder or lightning accompanied it. Every once in a while, an anxious thought would creep into Amie’s mind. What if Ian hadn’t made it to London? What if he’d been thrown from his horse? It was nonsense brought on from the paranoia of her father’s death. Ian was fine.
He simply had no reason to write to her.
In time, he would remember his promise and send her word out of obligation. She could manage until then. Couldn’t she?
Amie decided to bring Mama on her walk to introduce her to the neighbors and tenant farmers. Mama had not wanted to do this sort of thing for ages but seemed to truly enjoy it today. When they returned home, Mama shed her shawl and called for tea, departing into the drawing room to rest. Amie removed her bonnet and unbuttoned her spencer at a slower pace, nagging thoughts of Ian distracting her.
Mrs. Hamburg approached her with hesitation on her face.
