Ambrose glared at him.
Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Is that why you sent mother to Bath?” He laughed. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Sod off.”
“Must be an annoying thing, for your wife to flaunt your rules,” Jonathan taunted with a grin.
Ambrose grimaced. What was worse was that he was letting her. Christ knew why. But it wasn’t like he could force her to comply—she was too damn obstinate. A trait he was growing too damn fond of. But then, his wife was anything but subservient. And he was blinded by the urge to kiss her most of the time he was near her. The rules weren’t much on his mind when he was staring at her lips.
“I’ll just go ahead and say it,” Jonathan leaned forward in his chair. “Just let go.”
“Let go of what, exactly?”
“Everything.”
“If you are going to spout nonsense, at least make bloody sense.”
“Give me a minute, and I will,” Jonathan said, eyeing him over the rim of his glass. “Or not. You are bone stubborn. Of course, your wife seems to be just as—”
“Don’t say it,” Ambrose warned.
“Stubborn.”
“You’re bloody annoying tonight, Jonathan.”
“Just want you to be happy, old chap. And you’ve got to let go of your control if you want to be happy.”
Happy.
Willow’s face flashed through his mind for the hundredth time. Could it be that simple? Just let go and be happy. He wasn’tunhappy. At least, he didn’t think he was. But he wasn’t happy, either.
What did he want, really? Did he want to be happy?
Suddenly, he realized he did know one thing he wanted; he wanted more of his wife. More kisses. More touches. More laughter. More mischief. More of everything. He did not just lust after her body; hewantedher. All of her.
Would letting go give him Willow?
Forgiving her sister might. Is that what Jonathan’s twisted logic was getting at?
“What, then, do you propose I do?” Ambrose asked his brother. “Let Holly Middleton get away with humiliating me? Let go of her broken promise?”
“Why not? You got what you wanted—a wife.”
“But not the one I chose.”
“No, but certainly one better suited for you.”
Ambrose couldn’t argue that point.
They sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their drinks.
Then, unfortunately, Jonathan spoke again. “I wonder . . . have you ever stopped to askwhyyour wife married you?”
“To protect her family.”
Jonathan clucked his tongue. “Do you truly believe one sister would run away without a qualm, but the other would marry you for duty alone? How unenlightened of you.”
“My wife is more practical than her sister.”
