“Will there be pudding? I like something sweet with my dinner,” he said with a wink.
Wretched man. Locksmiths, guards, intruders, and he wants his pudding.
“Not sweet, I think,” she replied. “Tart. Especially if you prolong telling me what you meant about things changing.”
He didn’t rush. She watched him eat steadily through the soup and fish, humming and sighing his pleasure. He still ate like a man who didn’t know when his next meal would arrive.
“Keep the cook,” he said when the pasta arrived. “She is a genius.”
“Do you think you can slow down long enough to tell me what went on?”
Jamie wiped his mouth, looked lovingly at the pasta and told her.
“The count is concerned. I think he means it,” he concluded. He tucked into the pasta.
“Can we trust him?” she asked.
“In general, no, but where Isabella’s safety is concerned, I believe yes. Whoever took her doll didn’t work for Castellimonte.”
Nora ate her dinner in silence for a few moments. “If he sets guards, will he let her move here?” she asked at last.
“He thinks she is safer at the convent,” Jamie replied.
“Safer, but not happy,” she said morosely.
“The count doesn’t value that higher than her physical security,” Jamie told her.
“That’s it then? He will raise objections. I saw Campbell today.”
“Wentworth’s clerk?” His eyes looked wary.
“Wentworth assigned him to draw up the guardianship case. He told me marriage is the last barrier.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Did Castellimonte offer no way out?”
Jamie tapped a spoon on his empty plate. He didn’t look at her.
“What is it? What else is there?”
No answer.
“Mother Margarita also says we should not delay marriage!” Nora burst out.
Jamie looked like a trapped animal, eyes bleak. “Is it what you truly want also?” he asked.
Nora knew she should deny it. She should tell him to go. She should not pressure him, but she could not back down. Marriage would solve her problems. Marriage to Jamie had become her dearest hope.
“Yes,” she said. She had been determined not to burden him; she wondered if she could make sure marriage to her didn’t do that.
“Nora,do you hear yourself? You want Isabella here so badly you’re willing to marry an employee?” Jamie forced his voice not to shake. She offered his hope of heaven; if he accepted, he dragged them both to hell.
“You aren’t my employee!” she exclaimed. “I haven’t paid you since we agreed to the betrothal.”
“We agreed the relationship would not change. You feed me. You even bought my clothes. That is not a marriage.” Jamie spat out the words.
The little wren’s eyes watered up.Damn! Not tears. I don’t need tears.
“You can’t shackle yourself to someone you hardly know,” he pressed on.Someone, he thought,who is everything you despise.
“I know you well enough. I know you keep your word. I know you to be honorable.”
