Free Never Marry a Stranger by Gayle Callen Page A

London?”
    Her voice and his answer faded away.
    Emily was surprised by Lady Rosa’s invitation, considering that Mr. Derby could no longer court her, and it might be rather awkward now that Matthew was home. But then she noticed that Susanna had gone into the dining room ahead of them, saying nothing. Did Susanna think her mother now meant to steer Mr. Derby’s attention toward her?
    Matthew kept his arm about her. “We’ll join you in a moment, Father.”
    The professor, trailing his wife, gave Emily a sympathetic nod. Reggie offered a casual salute as he passed by.
    When they were alone, Matthew guided her away from the open door. “So, you and Peter?”His voice was calm, almost speculative, as he released her.
    She lifted her chin. “I was a widow out of mourning; he was persistent. I did not encourage him.”
    “Why not? I would not fault you for that.”
    “Then you are an incredibly understanding husband. I guess I should have realized that, by your tight arm around my shoulder.”
    He continued to study her, laughter in his hazel eyes. “Sarcasm. Faint, but noticeable.”
    “If it’s called for.”
    He chuckled. “I like you, Emily Leland.”
    “So I assumed when you married me.”
    His voice became deeper, rougher. “I guess marriage meant that I more than liked you.”
    She looked away.
    “Does that hurt you?”
    “No. It is simply still difficult to remember that I thought all of this”—she gestured toward him with both hands—“with you, was gone.”
    “So you will not mourn whatever relationship you had with Peter?”
    She smiled and lowered her voice. “He tried to make it more than it was, but I felt nothing.” She looked over her shoulder toward the entrance to the dining room. “It seems we will continue to see much of him.”
    “He is an eligible man, and my mother has two single daughters.”
    “But did you see Susanna’s reaction to him?”
    “Perhaps she is hiding an interest she doesn’t know how to express. After all, Peter was here to see you—and has been seeing you. I’m not used to finding my wife being courted by another man.”
    “How do you know?” she teased him, hoping it was the right tactic.
    His eyes seemed to sharpen, making her hold her breath, but he continued smiling. “Because I’m far too confident in my abilities to keep a wife satisfied.”
    The shot of heat was startling, surprising. Just his words could make her react to him? “Oh, my,” she murmured, fanning her face.
    His eyes widened, then crinkled with amusement. He looked past her toward the dining room and sighed. “Speaking of things you’re not telling me, what is this about you and Susanna in the laboratory today, right after we discussed bringing her back into the folds of Society?”
    She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
    “I assumed we were of one mind, that she needs to give a woman’s daily routine a try.”
    “So you do not want her to pursue the things she loves?”
    He hesitated. “I was hoping to convince her to find other, more feminine pursuits.”
    “You didn’t make that clear to me. I think painting is a very typical pursuit for a young lady.”
    He put his hands on his hips as he stared down at her, saying nothing.
    She sighed. “Very well, painting musculature for an anatomist is not very typical. Do you really think she should give it up?” She let her voice express her doubt, but did not contradict him. How could she, in her role as his wife?
    “Perhaps there are men who think it unseemly—if they even know about it.”
    “A few may,” she mused.
    “Which means they told a few more.”
    “I see. What would prompt Susanna to give up something she loves, for a future that might never happen?”
    To her surprise, he stepped closer to her. “We can show her what a happy marriage can be like. You know, she grew up with only our parents’ strained relationship to emulate.”
    Emily licked her suddenly dry lips, his chest so broad before her. “Our