Page 45 of Pretending to Love a Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)
T wo evenings later, Graham and Amelia were getting ready to have dinner at Sam’s side. He had some color to his cheeks, a red flush that had brought Amelia to tears when she first saw it, but Dr. Sloan was quick to remind her that it was only the fever setting in. He was warm to the touch, but after his skin had been cold and waxy for so long, the warmth gave her hope. Hope that Dr. Sloan was always quick to burst.
“He’s concerned about dehydration,” Amelia said to Graham. “Petrov has taken to dribbling water over his lips, but Dr. Sloan said it’s useless if Sam cannot swallow.”
“Trying is never useless,” Graham said. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. These past few days had been a blur of either waiting at Sam’s side or being in Graham’s arms.
“I’m here for my charge.” Mr. Chase entered unannounced and peered around the room for the absent Miss Smith with a frown.
“I believe she went down to the kitchen with one of the maids for a cup of tea,” Amelia said.
Mr. Chase frowned. “She’s not supposed to do that.”
“Why? Are you afraid she’ll meet men more interesting than you? Speaking of which, how did you get up here without a footman escorting you?” she demanded.
“I know all your footmen now. They know they don’t need to escort me.”
Amelia scrunched her nose. “I’ll have Mrs. Keen discuss that with them.”
“Where’s your kitchen?”
“She’ll return for her satchel. Just wait like a good errand boy.”
Graham coughed as he set his glass down. “Amelia. Don’t taunt him.”
“Yes, Amelia, don’t taunt me.”
Graham snapped a glare at him.
“Beg pardon, Lady Amelia.”
Amelia stood and approached him, studying the way he leaned in the doorway with a practiced pose of nonchalance, but really he was tense, ready to react.
“What did you do before you became a spy for Mrs. Dove-Lyon?” Amelia asked. But at that moment, Miss Smith arrived.
“Good evening, Mr. Chase. I’m ready to go,” Miss Smith said. She smiled at Mr. Chase and it seemed to send a jolt through him.
“See you tomorrow, Miss Smith.” Amelia said.
“Yes. Thank you, my lady.”
Mr. Chase left without a word. Amelia went to the table where Graham sat, watching her with a wry grin.
“You’re making mischief.”
“He’s smitten with her. I just know it. Everything he does is a performance but when she smiled at him, he flinched.”
“Flinched?”
“Yes.”
Graham chuckled. “What does a flinch mean?”
Amelia sauntered toward him. “Oh, you know. A man flinches when he’s caught off guard by a woman’s beauty. You’ve done it dozens of times. Sometimes in a single day.”
“Oh, have I? I must be so transparent.”
“You’re desperate for me. I can feel it.” She grinned as she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Graham cleared his throat. “Amelia, let’s have dinner with Alston first, and then I’ll happily show you how desperate I am.”
Amelia sat in her chair. In truth, she was the one who was desperate. Perhaps it was their newly wed state, but Amelia couldn’t conceive of ever tiring of Graham. Sir Daniel had been wrong about her and Graham. Next time she played and beat him, she’d make him eat his hat. Literally.
Graham was everything she needed and wanted. The things she needed from him were obvious. His calm, his strength of character, his unwavering loyalty, and his unbending integrity. Those attributes were the pillars that made Graham. To discover what she wanted from him, she’d had to learn the hard way. She wanted him to be challenging, wicked, hungry for her, and tender with her heart. He was all those things and more.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“You, and how much I love you.”
He drew a clipped breath. “You’re intent on not letting us finish this dinner, aren’t you?”
“I can’t help it.”
“Try for your brother’s sake. Behave as if he were awake.”
“One kiss?”
He smiled. “The anticipation will be worth the wait. Eat. I promise you’ll need the energy.”
Amelia sighed and took a bite of her fish. Her gaze moved to Sam and her heart swelled with her fear and joy. His life was still so fragile, and yet he’d come this far, defying all the odds. It had to mean he’d eventually heal, and she’d have her brother back one day. He might not be pleased with how things came about—like marrying a stranger for Mrs. Dove-Lyon—but they’d all be together again. She had everything she wanted in the world right here in this room and she would fight to keep it no matter the consequence.
Always.