Page 56 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“I suppose we should be going,” her daughter said with a hint of fatalism. Patience caught her hand.

“It will be all right, mo nighean luachmhor. I promise you that.”

“But he will nae ever love me, màthair.” The hopelessness in Amalie’s voice made Patience’s heart twist painfully in her chest. She could only hope Julian was right about Val, and that she’d interpreted the an dara sealladh correctly.

“We will see. I think it more than possible he will grow quite fond of you. Come along now, your father will need a moment to collect himself when he sees you.”

Like a docile lamb, Amalie allowed Patience to pull her out of the room, and Patience prayed once more she was right. But at the moment, it felt as if she were leading a small lamb to slaughter. In the back of her head, Patience thought she heard Caleb’s voice reassuring her. She clung to that thought as she walked with her daughter down to the salon where Julian waited to escort them to the church.

Chapter 16

Amalie stared at herself in the dressing table’s mirror. Her face was almost as pale as the wedding gown she still wore. Behind her was the unfamiliar décor of a room that was now hers. She’d been the Countess of Sommerville for only a few hours, and at the moment she didn’t know whether to sob or tremble with fear.

Valeran had brought her to Sommerville House after their wedding luncheon, where he’d left her in the care of his housekeeper, Mrs. Clancy. He’d politely excused himself to attend to several business matters, stating he would see her later this evening. That had been hours ago, and with each passing moment, her trepidation had only deepened.

Why had she agreed to welcome Valeran into her rooms tonight? He’d agreed to let her choose when to invite him into her bed. But would he honor their bargain not to seduce her tonight? Amalie shivered, but not from the temperature of her room.

A quiet knock on her door made her jump before instructing whoever was in the hall to enter. Mrs. Clancy and a young man entered a moment later carrying a tray of food and wine. The housekeeper frowned as she met Amalie’s gaze.

“You should have rung for someone to add wood to the fire, my lady. I can’t imagine how cold you must be.”

“I’m used to the cold,” Amalie murmured. It was a lie. She’d simply been too terrified of what tonight would bring to even realize the room was cold.

“Well, I suppose living in the wilds of Scotland would make you made of sterner stuff than most young women.” The woman smiled cheerfully at her. “Your things were sent over earlier this afternoon. Would you like me to help you change?”

“No, I—”

“I can attend to the countess’s needs this evening, Mrs. Clancy. Tomorrow, Lady Sommerville can begin interviewing the lady’s maid applicants who you made appointments for.

Valeran’s husky, velvet voice made Amalie jerk her head to the doorway of the small hall that connected their rooms. Her husband had discarded his coat and tie, leaving his shirt splayed open at the throat. She’d never seen a more devastating man in her life.

One shoulder pressed into the doorframe, his casual stance didn’t hide the masculine beauty of him. It only enhanced it. Arms folded across his chest, he was the epitome of a man born to conquer. If he’d been wearing formal Scottish regalia, he would be no less breathtaking or intimidating. Amalie’s breath hitched. She wasn’t sure whether the sight of him thrilled or terrified her.

The answer was immediate, but she refused to admit it. As she studied Valeran, his brow furrowed in a questioning expression as he stared in the direction of the young man, adding logs to the fire. “Jenkins?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Did you find the wine I asked you to bring up from the cellar?”

“I did, my lord. I brought up two bottles. They’re on the table.” Valeran nodded his approval as his housekeeper gestured toward the table.

“Cook prepared everything you asked for, my lord. Is there anything else you require?”

“No thank you, Mrs. Clancy. In fact, you and the rest of the staff may take the evening off as Lady Sommerville and I won’t require anything else until the morning.”

The words hung in the air like a somber church bell tolling her imminent demise. Dear God, he wasn’t going to honor their bargain. He intended to seduce her, after all. No sooner did the terrifying thought enter her head than exhilaration flooded through her veins. Her reaction made her close her eyes in dismay.

Like a bolt being thrown across the door of a jail cell, the sound of the door closing behind Mrs. Clancy and the footman made her jump. When Valeran didn’t speak, Amalie’s nerves stretched tighter. The vivid blue eyes she found so disturbing were focused on her, and she shuddered.

“I’m hungry, Amalie. As I recall, you agreed to welcome me into your room tonight. May I join you for supper?”

Startled by the quiet respect in the question, she remained mute. When he didn’t move, she realized he was waiting for her permission to enter her room. Uncertainty holding her rigid, she stared at him. He’d made it sound as if the two of them were accustomed to having supper in her rooms on a regular basis. The arrogant arch of his eyebrow made her start, before the sinful smile easing his features into a relaxed grin took her breath away. Aware she’d not answered him, she bobbed her head.

“Of course,” she breathed, not moving from her seat at the dressing table.

“I asked Mrs. Stubbins to fix some of your favorite foods.” Valeran said with a pleasant smile. No, sinfully pleasant.

“My favorite foods?” she parroted, blinking in surprise.