Where the Library Hides (Secrets of the Nile #2)

by Isabel Ibañez

I hadn’t noticed he’d been that agitated while he waited for my answer. A thrilling feeling thrummed under my skin, making my heart pulse. I’d made Whitford Hayes nervous.

“Whitford Hayes, I will honor and protect you but only obey you if you’re being reasonable. Actually, you might expect me not to obey you at all. It goes against my nature, and I’d prefer to begin marriage by being honest.” His lips twitched in response. Fortified, I pressed on. “I will be faithful, and I will respect you—unless you do something unworthy of it, then God help you.” I thought Whit would laugh, but he remained silent. “In sickness and in health, I will be yours for all the days of my life.” Whit licked his lips, his face pale in the candlelight. “Inez, I will honor and protect you and lay down my life for you. In sickness and in health, I will be by your side.” He gave me a faint smile. “And I promise I will never expect obedience from you.”

pins…” He waited patiently while I finished rambling. Dios, I was so nervous. If I were a teakettle, I’d be whistling loudly. If I were a champagne bottle, the cork would have long since popped. I lost track of the words coming out of my mouth, and my voice trailed off.

“You’re lying—another one of your tricks!” He came toward me, hands outstretched as if he wanted to throttle me. But Whit stepped between us. “You can yell at me,” he said quietly. “You can be disappointed, feel betrayed. But you do not raise your voice at my wife. If you want someone to battle, you battle with me, Ricardo.”