Page 76 of A Duke in Her Fate
It didn’t make sense to her why this wasn’t reason enough for him. But they already saw the world so differently much of the time. So Isla was willing to explain further, fighting the sleep and her heavy tongue.
“Because it’s you. It’s us. We are wed to one another for the rest of our lives. I see you now Ronan, and I want to still see you. You care for me. In your own way. I see that. I… And I like it. I like you. I can desire your company simply for that reason, you know.” She needed three yawns to finish her speech.
When he gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, she closed her eyes. It was too easy. Too comforting. She was tired and he was warm.
“You are too good for the likes of me,” Isla could have sworn he murmured. “Sleep well, Isla.”
His voice lingered in her mind through the night and the following days, even after her sisters took their leave. She was feeling stronger every day.
It didn’t take much longer before she was able to convince Ronan that an hour in the garden couldn’t cause any harm. He helped her walk there himself, wrapped in a warm shawl and his arms around her waist to where he led her to a picnic basket already waiting for them in the shade.
“You are such a natural at taking care of me,” she teased lightly. “Have you done this often?”
“Not at all. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Liar.” They exchanged smiles. She let him pull forward a small tea tray for drinks. “You are very good at caring for others. Your sister was younger than you, wasn’t she?”
Inhaling deeply, Ronan took his time nodding. “Yes. She was. We were… close growing up until I left for university. I made friends and wanted the bright life in London, but she never cared for the city.” He poured carefully for her.
“Can I ask more about her?” Isla asked tentatively, noting the tightness in his brow.
“I would rather you didn’t.” He cleared his throat. “Perhaps another time.”
She nodded, grateful he had even given her this morsel about him. It had been difficult to find the courage to ask, not knowing how he might respond. For all she knew, he might have stalked off. “Certainly. By friends, you mean the other dukes, don’t you? Did you know them all back in your days at university?”
Rolling back his shoulders, Ronan proved more ready for this conversation. He was cautious at first to share about his youth. But soon, as he was telling the stories of how each of his friends married, he was relaxed and even laughing.
He wasn’t afraid to tell her something for once, Isla marveled. It made her wish they could make this afternoon last forever. But as always, he caught her eventual yawns and insisted on returning her to bed.
“Not yet,” she complained when Ronan gathered her up into his arms. She quickly looped her arms around his neck, inhaling his familiar scent.
“You can hardly keep your eyes open. Did you just sniff me?”
A sheepish smile crossed her face as she leaned her cheek against his shoulder, her exhaustion preventing her from being embarrassed. “Perhaps. You smell good.”
“Like tea and cucumbers?”
“No. Like apples.” She yawned. “I like it.”
“Then I suppose I can admit I like the way you smell, too.” Ronan’s words rumbled through her chest, convincing her to relax. She smiled as he carried her to her bedchamber quietly where she fell asleep dreaming of apple orchards.
CHAPTER 28
Ronan drummed his fingers impatiently as he glanced out the window and frowned yet again. Then he pulled out his pocket watch to consider the time.
Across from him, Isla offered an unladylike snort. “If you’re going to be so impatient, you could have ridden your horse. It’s a warm day and it’s not like this carriage is going to move any faster.”
“I only…” he sighed and put the watch away before rubbing his forehead. “I know that.”
“Do you?” She asked in amusement.
He worked hard to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Turning from the window, he let the curtain back down to keep in the little warmth they had to gaze at Isla.
When he had announced he was needed for a few matters back in London, she eagerly decided to join him. Over a week had passed since her fall so she was back on her feet, though not yet riding and still retiring for the occasional afternoon nap. Ronan had tried to dissuade her––he wouldn’t be there long, he might not be able to attend any events, they might not even have any invitations, and he worried for her health––but Isla argued against every point so convincingly until somehow, he was helping her into the carriage.
“You’re mocking me,” he muttered.
“Teasing,” she corrected. Then she dared nudge her foot against his with that playful smile that haunted his dreams. “Why don’t you try to rest some? If you’re bound to be so busy in London, then you should get all the rest you can now.”
