Page 109 of The Forbidden Lord
“I suspect he was never in love with her,” Emily said. “He hasn’t seemed too disappointed.”
In love, Jordan thought. Amazing how differently the words affected him now than a year ago. But then, he hadn’t known he would find the perfect wife—a woman whose interests in reform meshed with his own, whose frankness always entertained him, and whose body... Good God, why couldn’t he keep his mind off that subject?
“Ian didn’t even flinch when he saw Lawrence and Sophie enter,” Sara remarked, forcibly bringing Jordan back to the conversation. “And I saw him on the balcony not five minutes ago, kissing Felicity.”
“Did you now?” Emily said smugly. “That doesn’t surprise me a bit. I knew something was going on there.”
“Nonsense,” Jordan said with a snort. “Ignore my foolish sister, Emily. If Ianwaskissing the girl, it was only a momentary flirtation, I assure you.”
Sara wore a calculating expression. “I don’t know if that’s all it is, Jordan. You should have seen the way he was watching her earlier. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. And heislooking for a wife, isn’t he?”
“Sara,” Jordan said condescendingly, “if you think Ian will consider marrying an opinionated bluestocking, you don’t know him very well.”
His wife and his stepsister exchanged knowing glances.
“You ought to trust your sister on this,” Emily said with a slow smile. “She has wonderful instincts. Sara, do tell him what you told me right before our wedding.”
“Tell me what?” Jordan asked.
Sara grinned, her eyes suddenly alight with mischief. “You remember the night of the Drydens’ ball? When the two of you met? Gideon and I realized what was going on between you two before you even climbed into that carriage.”
“What do you mean?” Jordan asked.
“You said you were taking a widow home, but Gideon had met both Emily and Lawrence, and knew she was a rector’s daughter and Lawrence was her cousin. He told me he thought you’d made a mistake.”
“For God’s sake, why didn’t you say something? I can see how that deuced pirate husband of yours would think it was all a goodjoke, but surely you knew better. You might have saved Emily considerable embarrassment.”
“Yes, but then she wouldn’t have met you, would she? Besides, I decided that a rector’s daughter might be exactly the thing for my brother.” She laughed. “You see? Idoknow a good couple when I see one.”
“That was sheer luck,” he grumbled. It had always pleased him to think that a whim of Fate had brought him and Emily together, and he didn’t like knowing that his sister had been involved, even if it were only in the most limited capacity.
“Would you rather we hadn’t met?” his wife asked quietly, misinterpreting his scowl.
Angry at his sister for bringing the entire thing up, he cast her a pointed glance. She mumbled something about having to find her husband and hurried off, leaving them alone in their corner of the room beside the balcony doors.
“You know the answer to that,” he said softly. He took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “And if you aren’t sure, come outside, and I’ll … remind you of how I feel on the subject.”
She glanced shyly away, though she let him lead her onto the balcony. “Really, Jordan, in the middle of a ball?”
In some ways, she was still the sweet innocent he’d fallen in love with. Indeed, it was her peculiar mixture of innocence and worldly instinct that always delighted him. “Yes.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her hair.
She gazed up at him with a smile. “It’s cold out here, you silly man.”
“Exactly what I need. It’ll keep me from ravishing you the way I’ve wanted to for the past two months.”
“Ah, but you don’t have to keep from ravishing me anymore. The doctor told me today that I can resume all ‘marital activities.’ Why do you think I wore this gown tonight?”
He caught his breath, his body instantly responding. "What the devil are we doing here then? We’re going home. Now!”
She laughed delightedly as he pulled her back into the room and headed toward their hostess. “Oh, good,” he heard her whisper beside him. “I do so like doing it in the carriage.”