The Hellion Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 2)

Douglas saw the look on his brother's face in the dim light. He had no idea what was going on, but he felt the fear coming from her, and he felt a protectiveness that wasn't unlike what he felt toward his wife.

He eased his grip on her arms but didn't release her. He said quietly, "Your wife appears a bit dis­traught, Ryder."

'Yes," Ryder said when he reached them. He was dizzy with anger at her. And here was his brother, holding his wife, and she was naked. "Give her to me, Douglas."

Douglas knew there was no choice. He also knew Ryder wasn't a cruel man. He wouldn't hurt her, but he would give her a good dose of speech that could shrivel the stoutest of hearts.

He said quietly, "I trust everything will soon be all right?"

"Yes," Ryder said again. "Sophie, put this on. My brother doesn't need to see my wife."

Douglas released her. She was still, not moving when Ryder wrapped her in the dressing gown. It was soft, very soft from many washings; it smelled of him. She shuddered, but didn't move, didn't say anything. Everything had gone awry.

"Sleep well," Douglas said, his eyes resting a moment on his brother's face.

"Yes," Ryder said, took Sophie's hand, and led her back down the corridor.

Douglas stood there many minutes until they went into Ryder's bedchamber. What the devil was going on here?

Ryder didn't say a word. He just pulled her back to the bed. He took her squirming body and eased her down on her back. He pulled away the dress­ing gown. He reached for the cravats. He was over her again, straddling her, and he wrapped the cra­vats around her wrists, and secured them to the headboard.

"Now," he said, and moved off her again. He stood by the bed and looked down at her. She was pale and furious and still she made no sound.

"There is a lot of blood," he said and frowned. "I am sorry I hurt you, Sophie. Now hold still and let me bathe you."

She held still because she was too tired to fight him further. She tugged once at her wrists but his knots were secure. Why hadn't he said anything yet about her flight and capture by his brother? She felt him hold her legs apart and closed her eyes tightly. He was looking at her and she felt the wet cloth stroke over her. She hated it, this knowing he had of her, this power he had over her. He looked at her and he saw a woman's body that belonged to him.

When he was done he was silent for a moment, then, "Sophie, look at me."

She opened her eyes. He didn't like the message in them.

"What you did was foolish. I do not appreciate your showing my brother your body. I don't under­stand why—but it doesn't matter right now. You're tired; you're not yourself. Would you like to sleep now?"

"Yes."

He untied her wrists but didn't release them. He massaged them gently and thoroughly. And when he saw her looking about, he said, "No, no nightgown. Just the two of us together."

The bed could hold six people side by side and still he held her tightly against him. The strong beat of his heart sounded beneath her palm, the prickle of hair against her legs.

As for Ryder, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I like the feel of you against me. You're warm and soft. I locked the door. I do hope you don't snore too loudly."

"I do. I sound like a pig."

"How would you know? I know that I'm the first man ever to have you, the first man to hold you naked against him. If you are not delicate and soft in your sleep, I shan't tell you. I don't want to hurt your feelings."

She snorted and he kissed her hair.

He lay back and closed his eyes. Damnation. He hadn't given her any pleasure, not a dollop, not a blessed whit. He hadn't done anything particularly well with her, and that was unusual for him because he was well used to giving as much pleasure as he got. He hadn't with her. He would have to teach her to forget all the ugliness of the past months, including his own part in it, which could prove a formidable task. But he had to. He had to teach her how to love and how to make love. He felt her breasts against his chest, very soft breasts. He saw also in his mind's eye the look on Douglas's face. He must have heard them arguing and he'd come to investigate. Still, he'd held his tongue. He'd been gentle with Sophie.

Damnation.

He slept.

CHAPTER

15

RYDER AWOKE IN the middle of the night. Sophie was warm and soft against him. He was hard. He hurt and he wanted her, then, at that very instant. It seemed he'd wanted her forever. He wasn't com­pletely full-witted and thus rolled her over onto her back, kissing her mouth even as he arranged her for himself, and came fully into her, hard and deep.