Page 37 of The Rules of Matrimony (The Matchmaking Mamas #4)

“You came.” Lord Kellen sounded genuinely impressed. She had not thought he would ever be impressed by anything she did.

“I am happy to help.” She moved around the bed and picked up the book she had left on his bedside table the day before, noting that he had more color in his cheeks than the last time she had been in here. “Would you like me to start where we left off yesterday?” She took the seat beside him, all the while feeling his stare on her face.

“You are rather daring for a penniless widow’s daughter.”

She swallowed. “I would not call myself daring at all.”

“Did it not take bravery for you to face me again?”

It took a great deal of courage. Every step ascending the stairs had been like a fateful walk to meet Madame Guillotine. “Perhaps I wondered why you would request that I read to you when you clearly did not appreciate it before.”

“Ah, curiosity is an interesting quality. It is both good and bad, but in this case, I will still reward you with a point for coming here.”

“Is this a competition of sorts?”

He pursed his lips. “More of a test. For starters, why did you choose that particular story to read to me? Did my wife select it for you?”

She shook her head. “I found it in the library on my own.”

His brow rose. “Is that the truth?”

Confused, she nodded.

“I believe you.” He did not say anything for a moment. Was that her cue to begin reading? She started to open the book when he spoke again. “I read that same story to Ian when he was a boy.” Of all the things, she hadn’t expected him to say this. “Ian likely doesn’t remember. He chooses to see me as the villain in his life. I’ve not spoiled him with affection, that much is true, but what good I have done is erased from his mind.”

She tightened her grip on the book, unsure of what to say. It turned out, she didn’t have to say anything. Lord Kellen wasn’t finished.

“There are a few things in life a father can do for his son that truly matter. Setting him up with a secure future is perhaps the greatest of them all. When I die, Ian will have my title, my lands, my seat in Parliament. A man could thrive on this alone. But without the right companion, he could curse it too. I wanted to give him the perfect wife—a woman equal to him. A gift that he would someday look back on and truly thank me for.”

Her earlier convictions about fighting for her marriage began to wane. Had she not imagined for a small moment that she was Ian’s equal? Clearly, Lord Kellen could not even imagine the possibility. Her day had contained so much turmoil that she couldn’t capture the same feelings of confidence she’d found yesterday.

“But then you came along,” he added. “I wasn’t prepared for you. Your pretty face and strange manners swayed him. Now my son will forever be against me.”

“You are generous to give me the blame for this, but I cannot accept it. Your relationship suffered before I ever met my husband .” She hadn’t meant to put emphasis on the word husband , but it did add a nice touch to her statement.

To her surprise, Lord Kellen chuckled. “You are brave.”

She looked down at the book in her hands.

“But are you brave enough? Do me a favor and prove your worth.”

Her gaze flew upward. “What?”

“You heard me. Prove to me that you are meant to be my son’s wife. Tell me why my son despises me.”

That would require far more bravery than she possessed. “And if I give you your answer?”

“I will let the state of your marriage fall to the two of you. It’s obvious you love him.”

Her eyes widened. Did her face betray her innermost feelings?

He chuckled again. “Read to me now, and think about it. I’m growing tired, and you know where to find me when you’re ready.”

This had been a most confusing day. She picked up the book and thumbed to the right page. Her voice started shaky, but she persevered through each sentence, refusing to show how much Lord Kellen intimidated her. Her attention, however, was not on the words but on Lord Kellen’s challenge. Even if she were to ask Ian about his father, she didn’t know if he would tell her. But she had a feeling that whatever it was was the same reason that he had written their rules and sworn her to their contract.