Page 75 of Love and Other Disasters

He gulped and then wiped at his eyes before he walked toward the palace, his shoulder still slumped in defeat. Sophie followed more slowly and met Jasper at the doors.

“My brother was crying.” Jasper looked astonished by that. “What did you say to him?”

“Only what needed to be said.” She smiled. “That went better than expected.”

“Yes, but that was the easy part. Getting them under the same roof. Keeping them there will be harder.”

“They might disagree and argue, but Nash, Laura, and the children are together again as we hoped. They have to sort out the problems of their own marriage now. Keeping them together is a problem for the duke to sort out now, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, yes,” Jasper agreed. “Ravenswood is best at handling my brother. We’ll stay the night, two at the most, then head to London to share our good news with Madam Clover and your friends there about our marriage.”

“Maybe London could wait a few days longer,” she suggested. “Laura might need a little help at first with managing all three children at once.”

“As long as I have your love, I will be content to stay anywhere you want.”

“Thank you for loving me.” Sophie leaned into Jasper’s arms and his fingers caressed the back of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She looked up at him and saw mischief in his eyes. “You know, I never stood a chance once you sat in my lap.”

“We’re taking that chair with us so you can sit in mine every night then.” He laughed and kissed her soundly, sparking those restless feelings that only he could ever satisfy. She hoped he never stopped seducing her.

* * *

The End