The Hellion Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 2)

"But he can't be married to her! Look here, Samuel, it will make no difference! She murdered her poor uncle. I will come for her tomorrow, once we've examined Burgess's body. You will have only one night with her, no more, so be certain you enjoy it! And then it will be my turn, that is to say, I will see that justice is well done and—"

Ryder hit him cleanly in the jaw. Sherman Cole went down in a graceless heap. Ryder grabbed the man beneath his arms and heaved and tugged until he'd managed to drag him behind a chair. His legs still stuck out. He pulled the chair out a bit more and shoved Cole completely behind it. Then he moved the chair back in place. He looked over at Sophie, grinned, and rubbed his hands together.

"That was fun," he said when he rejoined her. "Emile, when he rouses himself, why don't you see him back to Montego Bay. I like the notion that he believes Sophie is married to your father. He will remain unworried and quite pleased with him­self."

"Now," Samuel said, "let us go into the dining room. I want to toast both of you with that cham­pagne James unearthed for you."

She remained still and pale. Ryder frowned down at her. "Stop it," he said, and when she didn't, he pulled her against him and kissed her. Not hard, but very lightly, his mouth barely touching hers, gently pressing, but not demanding. Then he said into her mouth, "I am your husband. I will protect you. Cole won't touch you."

She was afraid. She didn't move. When he finally released her, he wasn't frowning, but he still looked thoughtful. She hadn't kissed him back, but then again, she'd just had another unpleasant shock.

"You know something, Sophie, I did indeed protect you this time. On the other hand, to be completely honest, I wanted very much to hit him, so I can't be certain that my motives were all that pure. But let's be kind and assume they were. Now, can I believe that you would likewise protect me?"

"I already did."

He grinned at her. "Yes, you were a marvel. Will you continue to be my Amazon? Will you continue to protect me?"

'You aren't Jeremy."

"No, I'm not. I'm your husband and, in the future scheme of things, I'm more important."

"Yes," she said on a sigh. "I will protect you, Ryder."

"Good."

Ryder looked back over his shoulder once. He saw Cole's feet sticking out from beneath the chair. What the devil had the man wanted? It was a long ride to and from Montego Bay. Had he merely come to gloat? To terrify Sophie? To try to intimidate the rest of them?

Ryder forgot Cole. Tonight he would have her. Very soon now. No more than three more hours and he would have her naked and in his arms and in his bed. He would have to sate himself on her to make up for the weeks they would be separated.

He was humming as he walked beside her into the dining room. He seated Sophie on his right hand then took the master's chair. He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. She didn't move.

"Emile will take Cole away," he said. "Perhaps he'll find out how and what Cole found out and why he came here tonight."

"I wish I could have hit him," she said.

He was pleased. "Would you really? Well, perhaps I can find him again and bring him back to you. Show me your fist."

She did and he neatly tucked her thumb under. "Whenever you hit someone, don't let your thumb stick out. You could get it broken. That's it."

"You bruised your knuckles."

"Ah, but don't you see? One must weigh the bruises against the fun of it. Now, my dear, you're a new bride. Raise your glass and lightly touch it to mine. Yes, that's right. Now smile. Good."

She sipped the champagne. It was wonderful, cool and tart.

She took another longer drink.

Conversation at the table was brisk. As each new bottle of champagne was uncorked, the laughter and noise increased. The vicar recounted a jest about a saint who was accidentally sent to hell. He told it with all the enthusiasm of a devout sinner.

Ryder laughed until he looked at his wife. 'You're too damned quiet. You ate almost no dinner."

"I didn't want this to happen," she said, eyes down on the plate with its slice of pineapple cake.

"It's happened. Get used to it. Accept it."

"I suppose there's nothing else to do," she said, and took another drink of her champagne.

"Are you planning to drink yourself insensible?"