“Demure and biddable,” Elizabeth said when they had forded the deepest part of the firth and she saw the tension ease from Amaury’s shoulders. He checked the course of the water again, and she knew he also saw that the tide was turning. He eyed the shore and began to move more quickly. “Indeed, sir, you would confuse a lady with an ornament, or a tapestry skillfully wrought.”
“Not so much that.”
“Then what do you expect of a woman? What do you expect of a wife?”
doHe shrugged but his eyes were vividly blue. “That the union would result in children.”
“Not sons?”
“I would hope for more than one. Sons and daughters.” He nodded. “And that my lady’s presence would fill my heart with joy.”
Elizabeth could not hide her surprise. “You, of all men, would argue the merit of love?”
Amaury spok
