The Hellion Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 2)

"Ah, a bit of vinegar, a dab of testiness. Let's get some sleep. I fancy that I will wake you up early in the morning. You'll be all sweet and warm with sleep, Sophie, and I'll come inside you, and it will be slow and gentle and you will enjoy it. At least a bit."

She said not a word. Ryder didn't despair.

When he awoke the next morning and reached for her, she was gone. Well, hell, he thought. He wouldn't tell her of his fond plans again.

"Alex," Ryder said to his sister-in-law the follow­ing morning at the breakfast table. "I would appreci­ate you taking Sophie around to meet our neighbors. As for a ball, let's wait a while for that."

"Ah, so you realize this girl won't do well with all our illustrious friends."

Ryder merely smiled at his mother. She had come armed to the breakfast table, and she'd fired her opening salvo immediately. "No, not at all," Ryder said easily. "On Friday, Sophie and I are going to our own home, to Chadwyck House."

There was instant pandemonium at the table.

"You can't mean it!"

"Goodness, Ryder, you just got home! This is your home!"

And from Douglas, nothing, merely a smile, nearly hidden as he slowly sipped his coffee.

Alex said slowly, her voice instantly quieting the voices, "That gives us two days, Sophie. There is also the matter of clothes for you. We don't have much time."

It was at that instant that Sophie realized Jeremy wasn't smiling. He was staring down at his plate.

Again, Ryder, the bounder, seemed to know exact­ly what was going on. He knew exactly what to do. He said easily, "Well, Jeremy, I hope you don't mind staying for a couple of weeks here at Northcliffe Hall. I know Sinjun can be the very devil, a veri­table nodcock, but if you think you can abide her for a while, then you may remain here."

Jeremy shot a guilty look at his sister. Sophie forced a smile. "It's up to you, Jeremy."

"Sinjun's going to take me to Branderleigh Farm to buy a pony," he burst out, half guilt, half unmis­takable excitement.

And that was that. Sophie found out from Sinjun that Ryder was paying for the pony.

During that day and the next two days, while Sophie was meeting all their neighbors, and being fitted for new clothes, Ryder was visiting his for­mer lovers. Of course they all already knew he was married. Bea had called a meeting. Three of the five women were interested in marrying. He presented the names on his list and left them each to ponder the good points of each man. Emily was still in bed, recovering from childbirth, but she would mend and he even made her smile twice. The other two wanted to go try their luck in London. He gave them money and wished them luck. As for Bea, he simply shook his head when she opened the door of her cottage to him just after luncheon.

"Busy Bea," he said, and hugged her. "I swear you would do me in if you weren't so fond of me."

"Good thing for you that I am, Master Ryder!"

She loved to call him master, it was one of her favorite fantasies. Bea had great common sense and the most unusual preferences of any woman he'd ever known.

"I hear you've visited all your women and pre­sented them with possible husbands."

Ryder rolled his eyes as he followed her into her small pristine drawing room. "Would you care to peruse the list for yourself?"

"Oh, not me, sir. I'm off to London to make my for­tune, just like Laura and Molly. Actually, I think I'll ask Emily to come with me. The last thing she needs to do is fall into a decline. That's when a female is most vulnerable. I'll make certain she doesn't fall into the clutches of another despotic man. It's a boardinghouse I'm thinking about, Master Ryder, all my own. I've saved enough money, you know. You're a generous man, but still a man. I will remain my own woman and I will find another lover as pol­ished as you are."

She ground to a halt and he picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. "There are no other men to be found who are as polished as I am."

She laughed and punched his arm.

"Now, my dear, I don't want you owning just any boardinghouse, no, I want you to buy a property in a very good section of London. I will give you the name of the Sherbrooke solicitor in London and he will see to it for you. Also, you will get a boarding­house dowry from me."

"You will miss me, Ryder."

"Oh yes. I most certainly will. Wish me luck with my new wife, Bea."

"You need luck with a woman?"

"More than you know. I've met my match."