To Love, Honor, and Obey... (Fated for Love) by Ella J. Quince Page B

indeed, Mr. Angus.” Obedience smiled at him politely. “Lord Willowton, I have something I need to discus with you , as well. I can meet you later if you are busy.”
    “No, no .” Mr. Angus put his hands up in supplication. “I must be on my way now. Tis a pleasure to see you, Miss Wickenham, and thank you, my lord, for meeting me here to see the problem yourself.”
    Obedience nodded and smiled her farewell as Mr. Angus mounted his horse and left. She turned to Chance as he chuckled and frowned at him.
    “How lucky that I have already claimed your hand. It seems I would have had some competition.”
    “Don't be absurd ,” Obedience scoffed. “He's just a pleasant man.”
    Chance continued to smile, his amusement evident in his eyes. “Could you imagine yourself as a farmer’s wife?”
    “About as easily as I can imagine myself as a duchess ,” Obedience returned testily.
    “ You’re angry about something. What is it?” Chance approached and set his hand on hers where they rested in her lap.
    “You forgot to mention last night that you intended to come to dinner tonight. Can you imagine what I've endured this morning? First , I was a master saboteur, and now I have rescued my family from ruin.”
    “Ruin?” Chance scoffed. “Is there something I should know?”
    Obedience bit her lip. He had a right to know, didn't he? But for some reason she felt like she would be betraying her sister. She would wait until she absolutely had to, if at all. She shrugged. “Not my words, but my mothers.”
    Chance tossed his head back and laughed. “Believe it or not, your mother would fit in well in a London ballroom amongst the other dragons.”
    “Be sure you tell her that. She would love it. And about dinner tonight?” Obedience reminded him in annoyance.
    “Ah, that. Well, it was my father’s decision. I was only informed at breakfast after he sent a note to Lady Wickenham. To which do you take exception—the dinner itself, or the fact that I didn't tell you? Assuming I had known, that is.”
    “Both . I was caught unaware this morning, and I am terrified of tonight.”
    “Terrified?” Chance placed his hands on her waist and lifted her down. But instead of promptly setting her on her feet, he let her body slowly slide down his until her eyes had dilated, and her body relaxed against his. Her feet touched the ground and she did not pull away . Her hands rested softly on his chest, and she leaned into him. He looked down at her, his lips slowly curling into a pleased smile. “Why should you be terrified? Don’t you want to marry me?”
    Obedience struggled to keep her mental faculties. Her mind wanted to slip away to a warm dreamy place that insisted she curl her body into his and lift her lips to invite a kiss, but she had to remain strong. “Yes, it’s the conflict that will arise from the discussion tonight that I'm afraid of.”
    “You've never been afraid of anything.” He dipped his head teasingly and brushed his lips lightly across hers, playfully rubbing noses. “It makes no sense. Why would your family object to us marrying? You are the next daughter in line to marry, your older sister is wed, and Patience hasn't even had a season. You could sponsor her, affording her entry into all the parties. The benefits of marriage to me are limitless.”
    Obedience scrunched her nose. “How very humble of you to remind me. You speak of sense as if they had some. May I remind you that very recently they sought to bring you and Patience together?”
    “Ah, yes. But you—the great saboteur, rescued me from that fate.”
    “Please , rescue me, Teddy,” Obedience begged, only she wasn't sure what she was begging for. She could feel the state of his arousal pressed against her lower abdomen, and she squeezed her thighs together in eager response.
    “I thought I was. Do not fear tonight. I will be there, my father will be there, and you know he is only looking for the slightest provocation to gobble her