Page 23 of No Ordinary Lady

He reminded her of the title he’d memorized long ago. Not by choice, but because Amy’s friend had the book and desperately wanted a copy of her own. “I thought we might read it together.”

“Oh, that book,” she said, and then winced. “I’m so sorry. Papa found me a copy the very next time he went to town, years ago now.”

“I’d do anything to see my daughter made happier,” Mr. Wilson threw out with a pointed look in Daniel’s direction. “As soon as I heard about the book she wanted, I went right out to buy it for her. You’d do well to follow my example, son.”

“Oh, yes well, of course,” he said, disappointed that the second step in his plan to get closer to Amy had come undone so easily. The first, of course, was to give her the promise ring when he proposed. The second was the book he’d scoured all of London to find just before he’d begun his journey home. But he was five years too late delivering it to do him any good.

“Hmm. I admit it was a discussion of some time ago. I’m not surprised you couldn’t wait. Do you enjoy having your own copy of the story?”

“I do indeed. I’ve even memorized my favorite passages. But it was exceedingly kind of you to remember my interest, and I thank you for thinking of me while you were away,” she mumbled, reaching to lay her hand over his and pat it.

Daniel inclined his head and then glanced across the table. He blinked when Granny discreetly mopped her brow. Did she look a little flushed now, too?

“Perhaps tonight, we could find something else to read together?” Amy suggested as she squeezed his fingers.

“Yes, I’m sure we could,” he said, glancing at Granny again and growing even more worried about her pallor. He withdrew his hand to his lap, gaze returning to his grandmother.

Perhaps the evening should end early for her sake. Granny would not retire on her own while they had guests. He’d probably have to force her to go upstairs as well.

But not in front of witnesses. She’d never forgive him for making a scene in front of the Wilsons and their other neighbors. “Another time, though,” he added, and then stifled a yawn. “Forgive me, everyone.”

“Of course you’re probably tired from the fresh country air,” Amy murmured. “Papa always complains of fatigue whenever he returns from his travels. London is such a long way to travel from,” she said a little wistfully. “I’ve always wondered what kept you there?”

What had kept him in London? The noisy, dirty, overcrowded city was full of excitement and scandal. His life there was all the things Daniel had ever loved. And all things he couldn’t admit to Amy until after they were married. “It’s hard to explain.”

Amy folded her hands in her lap primly. “I think I should love to see London one day.”

“My dear, you would not like London,” Mr. Wilson told Amy in a firm tone that brooked no opposition as he cut into their conversation. He immediately turned back to Mama and started telling her about the size of his herd.

Wilson was an overbearing brute still, it seemed. When he and Amy married, she wouldn’t have to do what her father said anymore. He smiled at Amy. “Well, perhaps we could sit together by your pond one day soon and you can recite the book while I follow along in mine instead. London will always be there waiting to be visited.”

He made small talk with another guest, discussing local politics and keeping an eye on Granny. Mr. Wilson had to join in and was quite a vocal proponent of landowner rights. But their discussion touched on nothing terribly personal, nor did it involve Amy…and of course, Wilson boasted proudly that his estate was thriving and the best in the district.

There was a long, awkward pause after that pronouncement. One where Daniel couldn’t think of a single thing more to say. He was surprised by how ill at ease he was with their old friends and neighbors. He’d known the Wilson’s all his life and never had so much trouble talking to any of them in the past.

But he’d never met with them with the intention of proposing to Amy Wilson firmly in the back of his mind, either. Before, he hadn’t cared too much about what he said or who he offended, because he’d always planned to return to London soon.

Now that he was staying in the country, he was weighing every word he uttered to stay on Mr. Wilson’s good side. And he might need to do this until the wedding day arrived.

After that, he would be himself again, he supposed, or an approximation of what he thought a good husband and landowner should be. He had intended to remain here in the country for as many months as was needed to become a husband, and a father, so he’d likely have lots of time to practice not ruffling his wife’s feathers.

But without the ring, his plans, his confidence in his decision to propose to Amy Wilson, had evaporated into thin air.

He glanced toward the distant doorway. Seeing Marian standing in his formal drawing room with a ridiculously radiant smile on her face had ruined all his carefully made plans for his homecoming.

She was an unwanted distraction. A reminder of his former self and a complication he hadn’t ever expected. But her smile had lightened his mood considerably from the dread that had besieged him after losing the ring and attempting to make small talk with his old friends in the drawing room earlier.

Amy turned her attention to Mother, and everyone carried on as if nothing was lacking on his part. He sat observing everyone. Amy and her father must surely be waiting for the proposal Mother had alluded to Daniel making tonight, given the way they kept smiling at him.

He yawned and then apologized again. “Forgive me, it’s been a long day.”

“Indeed, traveling from London directly to here is quite a feat of endurance,” Wilson agreed.

Daniel nodded, but raised a brow when Mother met his gaze. He’d not made a direct journey anywhere in his entire life. Mother knew he dawdled everywhere, but clearly, she’d not informed the Wilsons of that flaw in his character for some reason.

But the mention of fatigue after his journey had the desired effect, as Granny yawned, too. Even Amy claimed fatigue, and it was soon decided to end the evening sooner than Danny had dared hoped. There were no complaints about parting ways so early on either side of the table.

That was the only outcome that was going his way today.