Page 90 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“Right.” Jamie’s voice was hoarse with choked emotion.

“Yes, I need to…” Ginny said in a strained voice. “Mother and Father will…I’ll be needed.”

“The family will no doubt be gathering at Melton House tomorrow morning, there’s not enough room for everyone at Uncle Percy’s and Aunt Rhea’s house.” Jamie said quietly. “We’ll see you then.”

“Until tomorrow,” Amalie whispered, and the tears in his wife’s voice made Valeran’s heart ache as she hugged and kissed her cousins again before they left.

When the front door closed behind Amalie’s cousins, Valeran focused his gaze on his wife, who stood staring at the front door. Even with his limited vision, it was easy to see the defeated slump of her body. She was in pain and shock. To his left, he heard the rustle of Boswell’s jacket and turned his head.

“Boswell, have Mrs. Stubbins prepare some hot soup and…rumbledethumps. Send it up to the countess’s rooms as quickly as possible.”

As he mentioned her favorite dish, Amalie turned to face him and choked out a small laugh. He took a step forward, uncertain what to say or do to ease her pain. With a soft sob, she ran forward to throw herself into his arms and burrowed her body into his.

Valeran wanted to sweep her up into his arms and carry her upstairs. The instant the thought popped into his head, every last shred of confidence drained out of him. He wasn’t about to risk her safety climbing the stairs with her in his arms. With a grimace, Valeran simply guided his wife upstairs to her rooms. She needed something to eat, then sleep. While she slept, he would stand guard, and when she awoke, he would be there for her to lean on.

Chapter 24

Amalie closed the front door of Sommerville House behind her, then braced her back against the wood barrier and closed her eyes. Visiting Green Hill House was always physically taxing. The noise and crowds at the train station always set her on edge. Today had been worse than usual. It was as if she’d been dropped into a beehive where the buzzing was so deafening it had made her wish she, not Vincent, had been the one to lose her hearing in that terrible train crash.

Although Uncle Percy and Aunt Rhea didn’t hide their grief at Peter’s loss, they didn’t wallow in it either. Amalie knew the an dara sealladh had helped with the loss of their son. Almost a month after Peter’s death, her Uncle Percy had experienced a vision. While her aunt and uncle had chosen not to share what the an dara sealladh had shown her uncle, it appeared to have eased some of the couple’s grief.

“Where the devil have you been? You were supposed to have been back two hours ago,” Valeran’s sharp tone contained more worry than anger, and quite possibly a hint of fear. Startled, Amalie’s eyes flew open to see her husband striding toward her.

“There was a mechanical problem with the train’s engine. It took them more than two hours tae fix it.”

“Christ, Amalie. Something could have happened to you,” he ground out.

Again, she heard the fear in his voice. The moment he reached her, Valeran cupped her cheeks and gently kissed her. Wrapping her arms around him, it surprised her how hard and inflexible his body was. Every one of his muscles was taut with tension, and with her palm pressed into his chest, Amalie noticed his heart was pounding wildly.

“Vincent was with me. Uncle Percy insisted he escort me home, and he saw me safely tae the front door.”

“Thank God,” he whispered as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Her explanation made him relax somewhat, but his embrace tightened around her as if he didn’t want to let go of her. Puzzled, she frowned as she looked up at his handsome features and saw thin white lines at the corners of his sensual mouth. This wasn’t the first time he’d reacted this way.

Even Vincent and Jamie had bristled with outrage anytime they learned she’d gone somewhere without an escort. Jamie had actually raised his voice to her yesterday when she’d had tea at Lyndham House. He’d been furious that she’d come on foot. Stunned by her cousin’s behavior, she’d stared at him in disbelief.

When Jamie realized how startled she was, he’d quickly explained that Peter’s death had made him more cautious and concerned when it came to the family’s safety. Although her cousin had been persuasive, Amalie was beginning to think there was something else behind the fear and worry her cousins and Valeran had been demonstrating recently. Before she could question him, her husband’s fingers were gently exploring her face. As his fingers slid over her lips, he muttered a quiet oath.

“The next time you wish to visit your aunt and uncle, you’re to have Cochrane drive you to Green Hill House.” The firmness in his voice made her eye him with curiosity.

“But it’s much quicker tae go by train, Valeran.”

“And it’s far too uncomfortable for you.” The emphatic note in his words made her stare at him with confusion.

“I can assure ye, Valeran, the train compartments are actually quite comfortable.”

“I’m not talking about the goddamn compartments. I know how uncomfortable loud noises or crowds make you,” Valeran snapped, then sighed as he kissed her brow with a tenderness he’d been exhibiting more and more of late. “It’s a palpable sensation, mouse. I can feel it any time we’re in the same noisy room together. That’s when I want to scoop you up and hold you in my arms until you feel safe.”

Astonishment made Amalie’s jaw slacken as she stared up at her husband, trying to understand the emotion in his voice. Valeran wasn’t just worried about her, he was afraid. If not for his words the day they’d learned of Peter’s death, she could almost swear the man was in love with her.

Amalie immediately discarded the thought and crushed the bud of hope trying to unfurl inside her chest. Eager to set his mind at ease, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him.

“I’ll do as ye ask,” she whispered. She heard him mumble a thank you against her brow. After a long, peaceful moment, Valeran released her.

“Are you hungry?” Valeran's fingers caressed her features, clearly intent on seeing her reaction if only by touch. She smiled, and the moment his fingers discovered her curved lips, he grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Then ye would be correct,” she laughed.