The Hellion Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 2)

"All right," she said, and kissed him full on his

mouth. It was at that moment, just when Ryder was ever so willing to resume their lovemaking, that Jeremy's voice came loud and clear. "Ryder! Sophie! Where are you? Melissa cut her hand and is yelling for you."

"What can one do?" Ryder laughed and rose, haul­ing Sophie up with him.

CHAPTER

20

Mrs. Chivers brought Sophie the plain envelope with only her name in straight block letters printed on the outside.

"The Meyers boy delivered it, ma'am," Mrs. Chivers said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Quite plain he is, looks just like his father."

"Thank you." Sophie's hand was shaking as she took the envelope, but Mrs. Chivers didn't notice. She walked quickly into the small back parlor that she'd appropriated for her own use, shut the door, and leaned back against it, just staring down at that envelope.

The contents weren't all that disturbing on the surface. She read:

You will meet me this afternoon at three o'clock beneath the old elm tree at the fork of the road that divides Lower Slaughter from Upper Slaugh­ter. Don't be late and it would be wise not to tell your husband anything. I wouldn't want to have to kill him.

It was signed with a simple "DL." David Lochridge. Lord David. Sophie walked away from the door and to her small desk. She sat down and placed the letter in the middle of the desktop and continued to stare at it. She didn't move, just stared and wondered what the devil she was going to do.

She had only two hours to decide.

"Sophie! Are you in here?"

The door was flung open and there was Sinjun, looking as beautiful and windblown as Ryder did when he galloped in from the fields. Her blue eyes sparkled, just as did Ryder's, with the simple plea­sure of being alive.

Her expression stiffened in an instant.

"What's the matter? What happened?"

She was also as perceptive as her brother. "Noth­ing is the matter, Sinjun." Sophie rose. Slowly, very slowly, she folded the letter and slipped it into the envelope. What to do with it?

"I came to fetch you to luncheon. Unless, of course, you don't want to be part of the madhouse, which it will doubtless be. Ryder claimed he had a headache and was going to muck out stalls in the stable. I think Jane is probably right. She always says that adults should only dine with adults. Children only with children and guards."

Sophie smiled brightly. "Then we should continue with Jane's procedure. Have Mrs. Chivers tell Cook that the children will luncheon in the breakfast room. How many guards did Jane have?"

Sinjun laughed. "At least five."

"Good. See to it, please. Also, call in Ryder from the stables." And she laughed, she actually could laugh.

Sinjun left the room without demur and Sophie quickly put the envelope into the top drawer of her desk, way in the back, beneath some other papers.

Ryder returned quickly enough when he heard of the new arrangement from his sister. He and Sophie and Sinjun were the only ones who sat down to luncheon in the huge dining room. It was blessed­ly calm.

"This room is far too dark," Sinjun said as she forked a healthy bite of ham into her mouth.

"Yes," Sophie said, not raising her head. She made small piles of her food on her plate and proceeded to push the piles around.

"If you're sickening of something you'd best speak up," Ryder said sharply.

She dredged up a smile for her husband. "I'm fine, just a bit tired. Jenny had a nightmare last night, as you know. I had a difficult time going back to sleep."

Ryder frowned at her but held his peace. Actually, she'd fallen back to sleep instantly. It had been he who had worried about the nightmare for a good hour.

What the devil was wrong with her? Was she regretting welcoming the children here? Were they tormenting her? She wasn't used to bedlam and that's what seven children were. Or maybe she was backsliding again. She'd made love to him sweetly the previous night, but who knew?

Sinjun, bless her oblivious heart, continued with her monologue about the refurbishing of the dining room.