Elsbeth frowned. “Heal people?”
“Though she does that very well, the duchess is still the best at that. But no one is better at pranks than Rose.”
“I don’t know. I’ve sworn off pranks since you fell through the ice.”
At Rose’s statement, a flurry of questions assailed Sophie, which she’d finally answered to everyone’s satisfaction without blaming her friend. “Rose, didn’t you say you wanted the lord to pay for what he did? What better way than a prank or two? Nothing dangerous, of course.”
Rose set her chin on her knuckles and thought. It was mere moments before a grin appeared on her face. “I do believe I can help with that.”
“Excellent.” Sophie snapped her fingers. “Then it’s settled. We all have our tasks. I just knew you could help.”
As the conversation turned to happier topics and everyone shared the latest news in their lives, Sophie lifted her teacup to her lips, her mind wandering to Tam and how his meeting with a new tenant was going. She marveled that an hour couldn’t go by without her thinking of her husband. She couldn’t wait to tell him of their plan. When she’d shared the news with him, he hadn’t been surprised about Ashfield, as among the men there had been rumors. He did say that Lord Ashfield being married wouldn’t stop his proclivity for tupping virgins, but at least Georgie hadn’t married him. She deserved her husband’s loyalty because she was so loyal herself.
It wasn’t long before Sophie’s friends all needed to leave for Town or their estates in order to arrive back before it was too late. As the house returned to silence, Sophie settled into the settee by the fire and picked upRob Roy, determined to finish the book so Tam could finallyread it. Discussing books they’d both read had become one of her favorite pastimes when not overseeing small improvements in her new home.
She’d barely read three pages of the twenty she had yet to go when she heard Tam enter the house. Dropping the book back on the small table, she rose, anxious to tell him her news. Before she took three steps toward the library’s doors, one opened and Tam stepped in, a broad smile on his face.
“It went well, then?” She strode toward him.
“Very well. I couldn’t be happier with our new tenant. My steward has excellent judgment.”
She looped her arms around his waist. “I guess we commoners can be an asset.”
He chuckled and pulled her closer. “They are priceless.” He kissed her to prove his point, causing her toes to curl. Then he released her but took her hand and walked to the large desk at one end of the room.
She squeezed his hand in hers. “Speaking of commoners, I promised Mrs. Boyd I’d visit a month after our wedding, and it’s getting close to that time.”
He halted and looked at her. “Has it really been a month already? It feels like only a sennight at most.”
She gave him a soft smile, thrilled that he was still happy to have married her. “Yes, it has. Look at all we’ve done so far. This room, a complete set of tenants, and even a full set of servants, which, I admit, I did not expect.”
He led her to the chair and sat, pulling her onto his lap. “My last investment did well.”
“I know you don’t want to, but my dowry is available to use. You fought so hard for it, and I hope you will use it for our home.”
He shook his head. “I want to do this on my own, without your dowry. We’ll save that for our daughters. I have a plan, and I believe intwo years, the estate will be sustaining us and not the other way around. That is, if you can be patient.”
“I’m always patient.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and dropped a chaste kiss upon it. “Not always. You seem to lose all patience in our bedroom.”
She laughed, unable to counter his statement. “It’s hard to be patient when you make me feel so good.”
His eyes darkened.
She scrambled from his lap. “Oh, no. I know that look.” She walked around the desk, putting it between them. “I have news to tell you first.”
He rose from the chair. “First? Then you’d best tell me now.” He stalked around the desk toward her, and she ran behind the chair he’d just vacated.
“The Curious Ladies came up with a plan to help Lady Georgina.”
“They did?” He halted. “To be honest, I’m not sure what can be done.”
“Oh, there ismuchto be done. Ellie will give Georgie someone to talk to while Lissa investigates who would be most willing to marry her, and then whoever is closest to the man determined the best fit will drop his name in the Edgertons’ ear.”
His brows rose. “That’s much better than I expected. What will Lady Rose do? Play a prank on Lady Georgina to lift her spirits?”
“No, she’s going to play a prank or two on Lord Ashfield.” At his frown, she waved away his obvious concern. “Nothing too untoward. My guess is it will embarrass him.”
