Scandals Bride (Cynster 3)

Catriona instinctively held out her hand; he took it and drew her effortlessly to her feet, into his arms, and kissed her. Raising his head, he smiled wolfishly down at her. "Richard's cousin."

"Another one," Vane commented drily.

Smoothly releasing Catriona and gracefully reseating her with an irresistible smile, Gabriel turned to the bed and raised a languid brow. "You here, too? If I'd known, I wouldn't have half-killed my horse getting here."

Blinking, Catriona picked up her needle, but kept her gaze on the tableau about the bed.

"How the devil did you hear?" Richard asked. "Don't tell me it's common knowledge among the ton."

Halting by the bed, Gabriel looked down at Richard. "Well, you're obviously still alive-Mama must have got her skeins tangled. She was quite adamant I'd find you at death's door." Gracefully, he sat on the end of the bed. "As for the news being bruited about, I can't say, but it wouldn't surprise me. Mama wrote me a series of orders, couched in a manner to discourage disobedience, and bade me hie north at speed. I was at a very select gathering in a hunting lodge in Leicestershire. How the devil she knew where to find me I really don't like to think."

Vane humphed.

Richard grinned sleepily.

Gabriel shook his head. "It's a sad day when one can't even escape to a select, supposedly secret orgy without having one's mother summon one-without a verbal blink."

Both Richard and Vane chuckled. Gabriel raised his brows resignedly.

Catriona shook out her mending and started to told it. "I'll certainly write to Lady Celia and thank her for her kind thoughts."

A sudden hiatus gripped the three about the bed.

"And now," Catriona declared, "Richard needs to rest."

The three exchanged a meaningful look; Catriona stood and smiled at Vane and Gabriel. "If you would, gentlemen?"

She waved to the door; they left with smooth smiles and no argument. Bustling to the bed, she tucked Richard in. He wished he could frown, but he really was tired.

"Come and lie down with me." He tried to catch her, but he was far too slow.

She whisked away, raised one finger to waggle at him, then changed her mind and smiled. A smile that softened her face and set his pulse racing, a smile that should have sealed her fate-if he'd been in any way up to it.

"Later," she said. "When you're well again."

There was a softness in her eyes, an echo of something in her tone, that eased and soothed his irritation. She drew the curtains and left him; Richard drifted off, into dreams of a highly selected orgy, restricted to just two.

By the next morning, he had really had enough. He felt strong enough while lying relaxed on his back, but even lifting his arms was an effort. He couldn't make love to his wife. He couldn't get out of bed.

As far as he was concerned, he needed practice on both counts.

To that end, he persuaded Devil, so often his partner in crime in days past, now left to bear him company while their ladies took the an in the park, to help him

up.

"If I can just get my legs functioning properly…"

Ducking one shoulder beneath Richard's arm, Devil helped him balance his weight as he rose from the side of the bed. "Let's try it to the fireplace and back. We need to avoid the window-they might glance back and see us."

Richard grabbed Devil's shoulder and lifted his foot to take the first step-

The door opened. "It's drizzling-" The Dowager, in advance of her daughters in law, halted and viewed her sons-caught in an act of disobedience-through narrowing eyes. "What is this?"

They both blushed. The degree of accent in Helena's speech gave them warning she was not amused.

"I would 'ave thought you were both now old enough to 'ave more sense," she declared.

"Sense?" Her expression mirroring her skeptical tone, Honoria stepped around the Dowager. Devil quickly slid Richard back down on the bed and straightened. Honoria marched up to him, met his gaze directly, then took his hand. "Come-I believe you've been relieved of duty here. Permanently." With that, she towed him to the door.