Page 25 of No Ordinary Lady

“So, you are serious about that,” Mother said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Indeed. I’ve come home to make a marriage with Amy Wilson, as I told you earlier.”

“Are you sure you know what marriage entails?”

No, but he nodded quickly. “Of course I do, and as she’s the young woman you prefer, I assume you must be happy with my decision,” he said.

Mother frowned, though. “Promise me you’re not marrying to please only me. It has been my dearest wish for her to join our family, but she’s a gently bred young woman. I care about Amy and would not want to see her hurt when your attention inevitably wanders.”

Although offended by that remark, Daniel forced out a laugh. “It’s time, and she’s the right choice, as you’ve claimed all along.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “What about love and passion? What if you don’t find them with her?”

“What makes you think I won’t?” he said, folding his arms over his chest now, too. This was perhaps the most bizarre conversation to have with his own mother. “Are you trying to make me doubt my decision?”

“I know you and this is sudden, even for you,” Mother said flatly. “Marriage is forever or until death do us part. I find it hard to believe you’ve suddenly changed your ways. I’ve heard all about your antics in London and…”

“And?”

She wet her lips. “You don’t seem changed by your decision.”

Daniel laughed again, “You judge me by my lack of enthusiasm tonight? I’m tired, that is all. I promise that by tomorrow morning you’ll see the new, more attentive me.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You should have tried to keep her here.”

“I was worried about Granny,” he insisted.

“Mother and her tricks! Very well. Tomorrow you will propose to Amy,” mother demanded.

Daniel gulped. “Of course. I’ll bid you good night now, mother.”

“Goodnight Scarsdale.”

He turned away and headed into his own chambers.

He stepped into his room and immediately noticed a difference. He’d left quite a mess behind in his search for the promise ring, and it appeared his valet had disobeyed his orders and cleaned up after him already.

He shook his head…and a glint of light under the bed caught his eye. Puzzled, he sank down low and got on his hands and knees.

“It’s only me,” the darkness whispered to him.

He drew back, relieved beyond measure to recognize that voice. “Marian, what the devil are you doing under my bed?”

Chapter Seven

“Well, I didn’t think it right to sit on top of it without asking you for permission first,” Marian joked, scrambling out from under the bed and dusting herself off. She had been waiting under the bed for some time. The valet had taken a long time to finish his tidying up, after a great deal of sighing and many complaints muttered about his employer’s lack of care for his possessions. “This is a handsome room. A far cry from the inferior comforts offered by that inn.”

Danny drew closer. “I feared I would never to see you again.”

Marian grinned. “You’re pleased to see me.”

“Yes, no,” he said and then huffed. “I just meant; you should be miles away by now. Safe.”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t be here if circumstances hadn’t required a change of plan. I came to give you this,” she said, holding out her hand even while attempting to remove his promise ring from her finger. It seemed to be stuck there again. “I’m sorry. It keeps sliding onto my finger,” she joked again as she finally wrenched the jewelry free. Although her finger hurt, she held it out to him with a smile.

“Thank God,” he said. “You’ve no idea how much I missed that ring tonight. I’m in your debt.”

“Nonsense,” Marian chided, setting her hand upon his chest. “What are friends for?”