She gazed into his eyes and smiled. “I will.”
He let out a shout then pulled her against him and kissed her until she didn’t know if she was sitting up or lying down, just that she was with him. When he broke the kiss, he started to laugh.
She gulped in air and tried to get her bearings, still a bit off balance. That was when she discovered she sat upon his lap.
“Are we to have a wedding, then?” Mrs. Boyd strode into the room, grinning widely.
Sophie smiled. “We’re going to be married.”
“Oh, Sophie, I’m so happy for you.” Mrs. Boyd came right up to her, right there on Tam’s lap, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Youdeserve to be happy.”
Sophie wasn’t sure that she deserved it, but she was thankful. She studied the cook. “It just occurred to me, Mrs. Boyd, that you tricked me and had me come to the kitchen under false pretenses.”
Mrs. Boyd shook her head. “Not at all. Your tarts are right there, as I promised. That I also served you Lord Tamworth was simply a nicety.”
Sophie reached out and hugged the cook. “I’m so glad you’re my friend.”
“And I’m so very pleased you’re mine.” Mrs. Boyd pulled away. “Now, you will have to tell me all about your wedding after you get settled.”
Sophie frowned. “No, I won’t. You have to come. This wouldn’t have happened if not for you.”
Mrs. Boyd stared in shock before her eyes began to water. “You truly wish me to be at your wedding?”
“I do.”
Tam squeezed her about her waist before he spoke. “I do, too. Without you, Mrs. Boyd, I would not have the woman I love, and for that you have my word that if you ever need my help, I am at your disposal.”
Mrs. Boyd sniffed. “Well, I’ll be a turnip in a celery patch. Thank you both. I…I…I need to go to the dairy larder.” With that pronouncement, she turned her back on them and strode out of the room, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
Sophie turned her head toward Tam. “You are my knight, as brave as Sir Gawain and as cunning as Odysseus. I thought such people were fictional, but you’ve proven that you’re the very inspiration for such figures.”
“Oh, no. Do not put me among such classic heroes. I’m not proud of my ruthlessness. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Boyd there, I would have found you and seduced you, forcing a marriage, which I realize wouldhave been the worst possible course of action. And I fear your mother will have a rough go of it because of what I’ve done. So we will need to open our home to her as a guest very soon.”
“Our home?”
He grimaced. “Yes, though it is far from being comfortable yet. I promise you that there is a bedchamber for us and a decent dining room where we can eat.”
“And a library?” She smiled, happy to be teasing him again.
“Well, that will need some work, but you can decide exactly how you want it and what you wish to put in it.”
“I would like books in it.” Though she said it seriously, without a hint of a smile, he wasn’t fooled.
“Books, you say? Hmm, I do think we’ll have to talk about that.”
“Oh, Tam.” She clasped his head in her hands and kissed him, letting him know how happy she was without words.
He grasped her to him and deepened the kiss as his hand moved up her waist to cup her breast.
Immediately, she wanted her clothes removed. She wanted that and more. She wanted to give herself to him. She had to show him how much she loved him. Without warning, she pulled her mouth away from his. “I need you.”
He kissed her neck. “I need you too.”
“I mean now.”
He lifted his head and looked at her, then at the kitchen. “Sophie, I don’t think—”
“Not here. I want to be your wifenow.”
