what I want, what I need. I need
a woman I could never disgrace. My dear, the shabbaroon tried
with all fervor and could not succeed. His actions would have
toppled other women and you did not even flinch. I could never
humiliate you unwittingly as my father did my mother. Among
other things, I would be too scared to.”
“You are very unflattering, Jameson.”
He knelt at her feet, his hands resting on
her knees. “That was a most sincere compliment, my dear. You
have such fire, such passion. It tires me to even think of
living as determined as you do. No one would ever harm you, you
wouldn’t allow it.” He rested his head where his hands had lain.
“You would burn away my fear.”
Amelia ignored the tumult in her stomach at
his closeness. And she tried to ignore his pretty words and the
sadness behind it.
She had always been his friend, and as such
had always done what was best for him, no matter if it was what
he wanted or what the cost would be.
She had always loved him; it would be no
hardship for her to marry him. He cared for her. They were
familiar and comfortable with each other. That was more than
most marriages had.
She sighed and ran a hand over his hair. “I’m
tired of the game, Jameson. We’re both tired of being chased.
You for your title, fortune, and pretty face—never mind your bad
habits. And me for my fortune, family, and the challenge—never
mind my reputation.”
“You exaggerate your reputation, my dear.”
She lifted his head and looked him directly
in the eye, a hint of temper peeking through. “I know about the
bet at White’s. I’ve known for years.”
Jameson shook his head. “Some woman is going
to have to tame that mouth of your brother’s one of these days.
But even with that bet no man would shackle himself for life
without some bit of optimism.”
“You wound me. I know what optimism they
carry for me. I’m only a great catch on paper.”
“As am I.”
“Well, you do have your face to recommend you
as well.”
“And you are too hard on yourself. I
personally like sharp teeth and smoke coming out of the
nostrils.”
“Is this your idea of wooing? I’m surprised
you found any girl to marry you at all.”
“My dear, would you like for me to play the
besotted beau? I hadn’t thought you enjoyed that overmuch.”
She shook her head. “No. But I’m thinking you
have the right of it.”
“Pardon me?”
“I’ve changed my mind. Your stupid idea,
while still stupid, might work to both our advantages.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not quite following you.”
“I’ll marry you.”
“Oh, that stupid idea. Well, thank you, my
dear. I accept your acceptance.”
“Don’t make me change my mind again.”
He sat for a moment at her feet. “I didn’t
just imagine that, did I?”
She laughed. “No.”
He jumped to his feet and rushed out the
door. “I need witnesses! Come quick before she changes her
mind!”
Amelia laughed and rose to follow him. She
could be sure of only one thing by marrying Jameson—boredom
would never be her companion.
Her mother had been quite unsurprised by
their impending nuptials, only kissed them both and wished them
a happy congratulations. Robin had stared at them blankly before
patting Jameson on the shoulder and taking a long drink. Which
he’d coughed back out when Jameson had said, “Can I tell her
now, old chap, that I have your ble—”
He’d spent the next few minutes thumping
Robin on the back and Amelia had let it pass. Her brother looked
sufficiently befuddled that any blessing wrung from him must
have been under duress. And obviously with the assumption that
she would never accept Jameson’s hand. Since she’d felt the same
until only recently, she merely gave his wild-eyed look a small
smile and offered him another drink.
He’d only looked more horrified, which had
made her smile even more, which
a woman I could never disgrace. My dear, the shabbaroon tried
with all fervor and could not succeed. His actions would have
toppled other women and you did not even flinch. I could never
humiliate you unwittingly as my father did my mother. Among
other things, I would be too scared to.”
“You are very unflattering, Jameson.”
He knelt at her feet, his hands resting on
her knees. “That was a most sincere compliment, my dear. You
have such fire, such passion. It tires me to even think of
living as determined as you do. No one would ever harm you, you
wouldn’t allow it.” He rested his head where his hands had lain.
“You would burn away my fear.”
Amelia ignored the tumult in her stomach at
his closeness. And she tried to ignore his pretty words and the
sadness behind it.
She had always been his friend, and as such
had always done what was best for him, no matter if it was what
he wanted or what the cost would be.
She had always loved him; it would be no
hardship for her to marry him. He cared for her. They were
familiar and comfortable with each other. That was more than
most marriages had.
She sighed and ran a hand over his hair. “I’m
tired of the game, Jameson. We’re both tired of being chased.
You for your title, fortune, and pretty face—never mind your bad
habits. And me for my fortune, family, and the challenge—never
mind my reputation.”
“You exaggerate your reputation, my dear.”
She lifted his head and looked him directly
in the eye, a hint of temper peeking through. “I know about the
bet at White’s. I’ve known for years.”
Jameson shook his head. “Some woman is going
to have to tame that mouth of your brother’s one of these days.
But even with that bet no man would shackle himself for life
without some bit of optimism.”
“You wound me. I know what optimism they
carry for me. I’m only a great catch on paper.”
“As am I.”
“Well, you do have your face to recommend you
as well.”
“And you are too hard on yourself. I
personally like sharp teeth and smoke coming out of the
nostrils.”
“Is this your idea of wooing? I’m surprised
you found any girl to marry you at all.”
“My dear, would you like for me to play the
besotted beau? I hadn’t thought you enjoyed that overmuch.”
She shook her head. “No. But I’m thinking you
have the right of it.”
“Pardon me?”
“I’ve changed my mind. Your stupid idea,
while still stupid, might work to both our advantages.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not quite following you.”
“I’ll marry you.”
“Oh, that stupid idea. Well, thank you, my
dear. I accept your acceptance.”
“Don’t make me change my mind again.”
He sat for a moment at her feet. “I didn’t
just imagine that, did I?”
She laughed. “No.”
He jumped to his feet and rushed out the
door. “I need witnesses! Come quick before she changes her
mind!”
Amelia laughed and rose to follow him. She
could be sure of only one thing by marrying Jameson—boredom
would never be her companion.
Her mother had been quite unsurprised by
their impending nuptials, only kissed them both and wished them
a happy congratulations. Robin had stared at them blankly before
patting Jameson on the shoulder and taking a long drink. Which
he’d coughed back out when Jameson had said, “Can I tell her
now, old chap, that I have your ble—”
He’d spent the next few minutes thumping
Robin on the back and Amelia had let it pass. Her brother looked
sufficiently befuddled that any blessing wrung from him must
have been under duress. And obviously with the assumption that
she would never accept Jameson’s hand. Since she’d felt the same
until only recently, she merely gave his wild-eyed look a small
smile and offered him another drink.
He’d only looked more horrified, which had
made her smile even more, which
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