“Let us hope your expectations are not shot from the sky,” Willow said, her gaze searching for her husband in the crowd. “You know, if I fail to change his mind, there are other things I will stoop to.”
Lord Jonathan cast a curious look her way. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
She smiled up at him, her eyes meeting his with unflinching regard. “You should be. So consider this warning: donotmarry my sister.”
“Or?” His perfect smile never faltered.
She let her gaze travel down to his nether regions before returning to catch his eyes. “Or you will be limping for some time.”
He shuddered. “Christ, woman.”
She tilted her head to the side, and her lips curled sweetly. “Nevertheless, you ought to know that I will devote my life to torturing you, as willbothof my sisters. As will others who care for Holly. Shall I list all the people you can expect to partake in adding to your misery?”
He shook his head with a grimace. “No need for all that.”
“Then we understand each other?”
“As clear as day,” he murmured down at her, a smile once again curving his mouth. “You have sass, my dear, but for the record, I never had any intention of wedding your sister, no matter how delightful she may be.”
“You cannot know how relieved I am to hear that.”
“I imagine you are.”
Willow nodded, recognizing the sharp underlining tone of his voice. A charming devil he may be, but Lord Jonathan was not a man stuffed with straw. When pushed into a corner, Willow could quite easily imagine him to fight like a dog.
They stopped at the refreshments table. “I’m afraid the cantankerous one has spotted us,” Lord Jonathan said.
Willow followed her brother-in-law’s gaze, and sure enough, her gaze collided with her husband’s dark eyes. The impact was so strong it punched the breath from her lips. They bore into hers, hot and knowing. A warm flush spread through her body. There was no stopping the color rising into her cheeks.
“Am I to surmise from your pretty blush that the two of you are getting along well?” Lord Jonathan’s tone was dry with humor.
Willow forced air into her lungs and tore her gaze away from Ambrose. “As well as can be expected.”
“I suspect better than both of you expected. Just look at him. He resembles a bull about to charge.”
Willow felt a smile tug at her lips. “Tell me, have you also received a set of rules from your brother on how to behave?”
Something queer passed in his gaze before he chuckled.
“Is something funny?” Willow demanded.
“Tell me he did not draw up anactualset of rules?”
Willow rolled her eyes. “Ah, so it appears that honor is exclusive to me.”
“Indeed. I am not much of a rule follower, in any case.”
“It is more fun breaking them,” Willow agreed.
“Unfortunately, the fun is almost over.” His smile turned rueful.
She looked at him quizzically.
“The bull is almost upon us,” he clarified. “And he has eyes only for you.”
He has eyes only for you.
Willow tried not to react to those words, but inside her pulse was leaping against her throat. Because she could not help but react to those words. Because she could not help but feel the same way.
