Page 52 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“I am nae stubborn,” she snapped, but he saw her mouth twist at her lie

Amused, Valeran was forced to bite back a smile at how quickly she’d dug in her heels to disagree with him. By lying, Amalie had simply proven how obstinate she could be. Struggling to hide his amusement, he shook his head.

“I’m not sure I believe you.”

“I dinnae care what ye believe. I am nae stubborn, but I will admit to being tenacious at times.”

“Semantics, my fiery little mouse.”

“Dinnae call me that,” she said in a sharp, vehement voice. “I am nae your mouse.”

“Are you always this quarrelsome?” This time he couldn’t hide his laughter.

“When someone is intentionally attempting tae annoy me? Aye.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing? Trying to annoy you?” he chuckled.

“Well, if this is an example of the infamous Sommerville charm, I’m relieved.”

“Relieved? Why?”

“It will be easier nae tae—”

Her clipped response ended abruptly as she breathed in a quick breath. The almost inaudible sound said she’d almost revealed something she’d not meant to. But what? Amalie’s tension hovered in the air like an electrical charge.

Turning slightly in his seat, he tried to see her profile as the street lamps spilled light sporadically over the shadows of her features. A sudden longing to actually see her startled Valeran. Over the past three weeks, he’d found himself lying awake at night, trying to envision what Amalie would look like if he could see more than just the gray outline of her lushly curved figure.

Lady Patience’s description had given him colors to add to the images of his bride he’d formed in his head. His future mother-in-law had also confirmed what his fingers had already told him. Amalie was as lovely as he envisioned.

The memory of Jamie stating that Amalie had recently decided never to marry made him frown. Why would she choose to spend the remainder of her life without a husband? The answer would take time and care if he were to learn her reasons.

Amalie was like a book that needed to be read slowly. Every nuance and subtle facet of the woman he was marrying was a page to turn and savor. A pleasurable anticipation flooded through him at the thought. With each passing moment in Amalie’s company, Valeran grew more appreciative of the fact that life with Amalie would never be boring.

“What made you avoid Melham at the Hogmanay celebration?” The question caused her to start, and he saw her turn her head toward him with a small jerk. She didn’t speak for a moment before she turned away from him.

“Mr. Melham is a kind mon, but boring.”

“Melham wasn’t the only one you avoided. Although I think you avoided me for an entirely different reason.” At his remark, Amalie drew in an almost inaudible breath. A split second later, she shook her head.

“I avoided ye because I dinnae like ye.” Her shoulders rolled in a small shrug of indifference.

“Ah, yes, because I’m, at the very least, a boorish, overbearing brute.”

“Aye,” she snapped. “Ye are.”

“Would you care to give me an example?”

The moment he posed the quiet challenge, Amalie grew incredibly still. They passed a gaslight, and it highlighted her features for a brief moment. To his surprise, her cheeks appeared far lighter than usual, and he saw a small tremor rock her body. Puzzled, he frowned at her silence. Determined to resolve their discord, he leaned toward her.

“Amalie, I was quite sincere the day of my proposal that I wish for our marriage to be one of friendship and respect. Whatever my sins, will you at least accept my humble apology for my offense?” Despite the sudden, urgent need to have her forgiveness, Valeran waited quietly for her answer. After a long moment, he heard her draw in a deep breath.

“Do ye intend tae keep Lady Chattfield as your mistress?” Her question made him jerk away from her in surprise. Astonished, he shook his head in disbelief.

“How the devil do you know about Miriam?”

“Ye may think me a simple country mouse living in the wilds of Scotland, but your reputation with women is nae a secret tae me. I ken she is your mistress.” Bitterness filled Amalie’s voice, but humiliation ran beneath her angry words.

Christ Jesus, he should have known Amalie would have been aware of his association with Miriam. He debated explaining why he’d been closely affiliated with the woman, then immediately rejected the idea. Amalie was nervous enough. But it was obvious she believed he would humiliate her by continuing to see Miriam.