“I am already part of your family! Is that not enough?”
“My decision has been made.”
It took effort to keep his mask in place, as saying it out loud nearly made him smile. The shock on her face tomorrow morning would be priceless. He bit down on his jaw.
“You tricked me! You used my romantic ideals against me from the beginning! You sought to take advantage of my nature, which ought to be punishment enough.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her to go. To run home or to run to Willow. He nipped the urge in the bud. He had to speak to his wife first.
“It was imperative that I marry posthaste, and you were in desperate need of falling in love,” he found himself admitting. Here and now, he could give Holly Middleton this one honesty.
“Not that desperate.”
He almost chuckled at her waspish tone. “I miscalculated.”
“You thought me too weak to oppose you.”
“Not weak, Miss Middleton, only smart.”
“Where is my sister?” she countered. “I wish to see her.”
“All in good time.”
“Too afraid we will outsmart you once again?”
They likely would if he had any intention of staying this course.
“Precautionary measures.”
“But of course.”
“As you said, Miss Middleton, I should focus on what lies in your nature. You can’t help but stir trouble.”
“Does Willow know you are keeping me against my will?”
“My wife knows what I see fit to tell her.” Christ, he sounded like a jackass. He couldn’t wait until the ruse was up.
He suddenly recalled his men saying that she had to have had help in running away.
“Have you been compromised?” he asked, his sudden concern startling him. It shouldn’t have, however. She was Willow’s family, which made her his family, too.
“You sent three monkeys after me.”
“A simple yes or no would suffice.” His men hadn’t touched her, he knew that much, but he gave her credit for that strategy.
“Yes,” she snapped.
Ambrose did allow his lips to curve into a smile then. “I see your spirit hasn’t been broken by your little adventure. I am, however, disinclined to believe you.”
“Then why did you ask?”
Best not answer that one.
“The men that brought you back told me of your little attempt to escape and that you were thrown from your horse in the effort.”
“I’ve had rotten luck lately.”
“They spoke the truth, then?”
