Alexandra laughed. “I learned from Samuelwho is a master. He played during his long journeys at sea,cultivating his game.”
Samuel gestured with his pipe. “At twelvesummers, Alexandra started beating me.”
“To think I’m beaten by a woman. Nicholas,you knew about this? Alexandra, you are as savage as thoseColonials.”
“I heard that, Anthony,” Rachel said.“Perhaps I’ll train my skills with a bow and arrow on you.”
Alexandra had heard of Rachel’s skill,utilizing a crossbow in a daring escape from an attic in a burningbuilding. Her talent as an inventor saved her and Anthony’slives.
“Typical Anthony,” chortled Aunt Margaret.“He’s as touchy as a beauty losing her looks.”
Anthony ignored his aunt, his glare on hisbrother. “I’ll box your ears.”
Nicholas put up his fists, jabbed hisbrother in the arm. “Go ahead and try. You haven’t bested meyet.”
Even after a year of separation, Nicholasand Anthony slid into brotherly habits of baiting one another.Alexandra warmed to their camaraderie, the family relaxed enough toenjoy themselves freely. How easy to fall in love with Nicholas’sfamily.
Nicholas took another jab at his brother.“Good for you to learn a little humility, but don’t take defeat toobad. She beat me every night on the island.”
* * *
Alexandra yawned and slipped between thecool sheets scented with lavender. She tugged at the lace bodice ofher fine sleeping gown, luxuriating in the soft silk and laid herhead on the downy pillows. No more could she attempt to keep hereyes open. The growing child inside her sapped her strength.
The door opened and Nicholas stole into theroom. He slid beside her whereupon she took his face in her handsand brought it to hers.
“What about your family?”
“You escaped me once. I’m never letting yougo again. I slept with you last night and you didn’t evenknow.”
Alexandra gasped. “I don’t want to start offon the wrong foot with your family. They will think me a harlot ifit’s discovered you share my bed. I want their good opinion.”
He kissed her and Alexandra automaticallycurled into him. “I have missed your touch so much, Nicholas.”
He cupped her breasts as if feeling theweight. Against her will, her nipples hardened into peaks and shewas acutely aware of a spreading ache in her breasts. “Yourpregnancy has made your breasts fuller.”
“Do you think you can convince me to changemy mind?” she said softly.
“I am to be a duke; I see much of life likea battle to be mastered and won.”
“And do you often win, my lord?”
“Almost always, my lady.”
He lowered his voice until it was a deeprumble that reverberated through her. “I suppose I can’t talk youout of this madness in breaking into Lady Sutherland’s home?”
“My dear, Nicholas,” she sighed, “What am Ito do with you when you persist in being wicked?” She could feelhim grinning in the darkness. “You are a scoundrel, Lord Rutland,but your efforts will not work.”
Unrepentant, Nicholas did not bother to hidehis appreciative groan when she reached down and touched him.“Indulge me.” The hope in his voice made her smile.
“That would be unwise.” Alexandra pulledaway, but he snatched her back in his arms.
“Tell me why,” he prodded her.
Heat flooded her body. “Because you make toomuch noise when we…you know.”
He laughed and moved his hand over herstomach. “I can’t wait to see you grow big and round with my child,Alexandra.”
“With all the food you are tantalizing mewith, I’ll be enormous before the month is out.”
