The Hellion Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 2)

"I will miss them."

"The little heathens will be only a hundred yards distant. Whenever you want madness, it's just a short walk away."

"How is little Garrick?"

Ryder immediately sobered. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. Sophie patted his fisted hand. "He's safe now."

"Yes, he is. Dammit, Sophie, how could that bas­tard treat a four-year-old child like that?"

"There are many more like him, more's the pity, children sold as apprentices to such brutes as that chimney cleaner, Mr. Ducking. But you saved Garrick, and now he will learn that life can be more than pain and tears. He smiled at me this mo

rning. He and Jenny are becoming great friends. I love you, Ryder."

His jaw loosened, and he smiled. "Yes, and well you should love me very much, woman, since I give you my poor man's body every night for your diver­sions."

'You make me sound unnatural in my appetites."

"Your appetites are wonderful. Have you yet started your monthly flow?"

His bald speech still could disconcert her, leaving her tongue-tied. She gave him a bemused smile and shook her head.

He leaned forward and caressed her belly with the palm of his hand. "Perhaps our son or daughter is beginning?"

"Perhaps," she said, and she stared at his mouth. He'd taught her over the months to enjoy kissing as much as he did.

"Stop that, Sophie. There is no time, unfortunate­ly." Still, he leaned over and quickly kissed her soft mouth. He would never forget the night when he was nipping at her bottom lip as he was telling her the story of the farmer who fell in love with his prize pig, when all of a sudden, she giggled, and bit his chin, and said she fancied a prize bull.

It was the first time their lovemaking had been filled with laughter and silliness and nonsense. He looked fondly at her mouth, shrugged, and kissed her again.

"My brother, Alex, and Sinjun will be here very soon now."

"Yes," she said, breathless now.

"Damn him."

She blinked. "Ah, this dog-in-the-manger attitude of yours, Ryder, you really must stop it. Allow poor Douglas to enjoy himself, to feel useful."

"He doesn't have to take my children away."

"He has given Oliver a tremendous opportunity, admit it. Someday he will be the earl's assistant steward, perhaps eventually even his steward or his secretary. Oliver will make something of himself. He will be properly educated. Douglas is very fond of him."

"Damn him."

Sophie just grinned at her husband. "I shall never forget when Douglas and Alex walked in, completely unexpected, and all the children were shrieking and playing and eating and yelling in the entrance hall because it was raining outside, and Douglas just stood there as calm as a preacher, and said, 'I have surely come to the wrong house.' "

Ryder remained stubbornly silent. He tapped his fingertips on the desktop.

"Douglas did take your revelations well, Ryder. He accepted what he saw as your lack of confidence in him, though I know it hurt him. He didn't yell at you, as I know he wanted to."

"That was because Amy had climbed up his leg and he was forced to pick her up and she was telling him that he was pretty."

"Your family is very proud of you."

"I never wanted their pride. Don't you understand? It's something I just do because it's important to me, it means something, and there's nothing saint­ly about it, Sophie. It costs me nothing, really. I would that every Sherbrooke would shut his and her respective mouth. It becomes excessive, and downright embarrassing."

"Your mother doesn't embarrass you."

"No, she refuses to speak to me for dirtying my hands with slum brats. It's a refreshing attitude from a family member, and so I've told her. She didn't laugh when I encouraged her to maintain her censure. Now, who is that letter from over there?"