Page 18 of How to Catch an Heiress

She frowned. “What?”

“I saw you walking so near the river…”

Chastity stared. “You thought I intended to end my life? You think well of yourself if you think I’d kill myself over you.”

“You have fought marrying me from the start. How was I to think anything different?”

“I would brain you in your sleep before I would end my own life.” She shook her head. “My God, does becoming the Duke of Roxburgh mean so much to you that you would risk your life by jumping in the river to save me?”

He scowled. “If you recall, I didn’t jump in to save you.” To his shock, she laughed.

“Nae, you fool. You threw me to the ground and dragged me down with you.”

Stirling stared. She truly was magnificent. How many women would take a man to task for practically attacking them—then laugh at him? “That will teach you to leave our wedding day—and to walk too near the river.”

“And it will teach you not to underestimate me. Do you really believe that if I wanted to run away that I would get only as far as the river?” She rolled her eyes.

“How far would you have gone?”

She swayed as the carriage made a slight turn. “If I told you that, then I could never go there, could I?”

He fought to hide a grin. “I shall have to keep a close eye on you.”

“Like you did last night?”

She knew?

“Last night?” he repeated.

“Spare me the innocent looks.” She pinned him with a stare. “You have married my sisters to good men. Thank you.”

Stirling blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t act so surprised. I might not want to marry you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate what you did for them.”

“How do you feel about being married to me? Surely, I’ve proven myself to be of some use.”

Her cheeks flushed and he longed to see that blush while he moved inside her.

“Use, as in when you tried to drown me?” she said.

He shrugged. “I did save you, as well.”

“With a savior like you, who needs enemies?”

“I can see I need to redeem myself.”

Her face clouded in confusion—then her eyes widened and he felt certain she was attempting to melt into the seat. He recognized her embarrassment and perhaps a little apprehension, but no hatred for him, and certainly no loathing for what he’d done to her last night. In fact, he would wager another good ship that she would let him do it to her again. A light patter of rain began to beat down on the carriage. In truth, he was about to wager something far more important.

His heart.