Page 63 of No Ordinary Lady

“I’m afraid not,” Mother answered. “Do continue dinner without me.”

With that, Mother exited the room, leaving Amy frowning after her. She seemed vexed by not being needed, too.

Mother’s swift exit from the room left him and Granny to entertain the Wilsons. Something he found he no longer wanted to do.

Daniel had groaned to himself when he’d seen them standing in the drawing room too early for dinner, and he’d found himself glancing at the clock all night long so far.

He requested the next course set before them and turned his attention to cleaning the fish off his plate as fast as he could without seeming to do so.

But Wilson took his time picking at the fish, asking questions about his plans for the coming months between mouthfuls, and trying to involve his daughter into the discussion of every single decision Daniel had made.

Mr. Wilson even managed to include his own participation in any plans mentioned.

When Daniel had pictured coming home, and his future married life, it had not been with a view of him and his wife sitting at home or having to explain himself to his father-in-law over every meal.

He had pictured them, Amy and him, as completely separate from everyone else—and each other, except in matters of any children they might have.

But as he considered it longer, he realized there would be much more overlap. More time spent together with his mother, Granny, and Mr. Wilson, unfortunately. Far more decisions to be made together if they were ever going to rub along satisfactorily.

As the evening progressed, so did the long, awkward pauses between topics. Wilson had not outright asked if Daniel was going to offer for his daughter, but he kept glancing between them every time they spoke to each other. He alternated sighs or approving nods of his head until the last course was taken away.

It was clear Amy’s happiness was very much on his mind.

When Granny stood, inviting Amy to join her for tea, Daniel breathed his own sigh of relief and stood too. “Do enjoy yourself ladies,” Daniel said, more than ready for the peace of gentlemen in the dining room alone, and a much stronger drink in his hand. “We’ll join you both soon.

“Nonsense. Why part at all when there’s just the four of us? We should not deprive the women of our company and sensible conversation,” Wilson said to him.

“I am always flattered by my grandson’s conversation,” Granny answered.

Wilson offered Granny his arm and led her away to the drawing room instead of staying here with him.

Amy looked around the room. “I have always enjoyed this dining room. We could remain here together for a while if you like.”

No. He quickly headed out of the room, knowing Amy would follow him.

When they entered the drawing room, Wilson whispered a few words to his daughter, and she smiled and hurried over to sit beside Granny.

Wilson turned for the sideboard to help himself to a glass from the estate’s finest whiskey without asking Daniel’s leave.

Daniel watched the older man with growing sourness, wondering if he even remembered he was a guest here anymore. Wilson was rather too free with his opinions lately for Daniel’s tastes, and helping himself to whatever luxuries surrounded him was almost the last straw.

He stood up abruptly. “You seem to have made yourself at home here, Mr. Wilson.”

“Yes, indeed.” Wilson turned, catching his eye. “Something is on your mind, son,” he murmured, one brow arched.

“No. Just noticing how some things change and others haven’t.”

The older man frowned severely, and he didn’t understand. Wilson had been father’s friend but not Daniels. Only Daniel’s closest friends should be so free with his whisky.

“Shall we smoke a cigar together on the terrace,” Wilson suggested.

“Not tonight.”

Wilson had also suggested smoking cigars the first night Daniel had returned home and been disappointed enough at his reluctance to chide Daniel for not living up to his father’s reputation as a generous host.

Yet nothing could compel Daniel to take up smoking cigars, for the simple reason that women did not like the smell or the taste of it on his tongue when they kissed him.

He was sure Marian would not.