Page 80 of Landen
“Sometimes Ido.” He shrugged again. “There is too much to live up to.When I was growing up, the standards were so high that my sister andI had to be careful what we say or do. We never had an informal meal.Breakfast was eaten in the smaller dining room, but no less rigid.
We had to use theproper utensils, or you would think we were committing a felony ifthat was not the case. Not to mention supper. It would be servedprecisely at eight in the formal dining room, and God forbid it ifyou are even a minute late. “He drove into a deserted road andkilled the engine.
Leaning back in theseat, he stared at the trees waving in the breeze. “I was illone evening, puking my guts out and as weak as a kitten. A maid wassent up to remind me that it was time to go downstairs for supper,and I told her to tell my parents I was not well.”
“Whathappened?” Turning in her seat, she stared at his bleak profileand wanted to wrap him in her arms.
“She was sentback to my room to tell me that even if I had to creep, I would be inthe dining room in two minutes.” Turning his head, he gave hera vague smile. “I decided to defy them because I was feelingrotten.”
“And?”
“The nextday, I was feeling much better, but when I went downstairs forbreakfast, I was told that because of my disobedience, I would noteat a meal for the entire day.”
“No!”
He nodded.
“How old wereyou?” Tessa felt the anger churning in her stomach and wonderedif she could ever tolerate the people who had made his life somiserable.
“I was seven,”he told her grimly.
Reaching out, shetook his hand, her eyes swimming with tears. “I hate them!”She whispered passionately.
The impassionedstatement loosened the tight grip around his heart and dissolved thebad memories. “I love you for that, but it doesn't matteranymore.” Lifting her hand, he kissed the back of it, jadegreen eyes smoldering. “When I met you, I did things I neverthought of doing before.”
“Like eatingout of cartons?” She teased tremulously.
“And eating inbed, going on a picnic, and eating at the kitchen counter. Simplethings like that. You have brought me so much joy that I cannot thankyou enough. That’s why I would like you to marry me.”
Her eyebrows lifted.“Because I got you doing things you never did before? Isn’tthat a little extreme?”
He grinned at her.“It might also have to do with the fact that I knocked youup.”
“Oh. That.”She nodded. “That might just be a very good reason.”
“And I love youmore than I have ever loved anyone.” His voice had deepened.“That’s the main reason.”
“That’sgood because I adore you, Landen Chapman.” She whispered.“There is a question of where we will live?”
“Where do youwant to live?” He asked her gently. “I already told youwe have houses all over the world. There is a chalet in Switzerland,a flat in Paris, a cottage in Scotland, several flats and cottages inLondon, and not to mention the villa in Tuscany.”
She stared at himwide-eyed. “Are you trying to scare me?”
“By giving youoptions?”
“By remindingme that you are not a regular guy.” She heaved out a breath. “Iam a simple girl, and the transition to being your wife-”
She shook her head.“I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Of course youcan.” He brushed that away. “I have seen the way youbehave at that gallery of yours. The way you deal with those rich andpampered assholes who come in and expect to be catered to.”
“You are awarethat you are one of them, right?” She asked him dryly.
“I am not anasshole,” he told her loftily. “And I have never beenpampered in my life.”
“Poor littlerich boy.”
He gave her a wintrylook that had her laughing.