“I thought everyone was on better behavior at supper last night,” she said diplomatically.
“Because you,chérie, think the best of everyone.” He brushed his finger along her nose. “In reality, Cecily was sulking, Jonas drinking excessively, and Eleanor reading the book she had hidden beneath her napkin.”
“Toby was sociable,” she pointed out.
“And nearly hit you in the face with an oyster,” Knight muttered.
“Not on purpose,” she countered. “’E apologized for it.”
“The boy is a walking disaster.”
“Don’t lose ’eart in your family,” Fancy said earnestly. “They’ll come around. Why, if I can change into a duchess, then surely your siblings can learn to behave better.”
And I’ll ’elp them,she thought determinedly.They’re my family now, too.
For better or worse, family stuck together.
“Don’t change too much, my dear,” Knight said softly. “I like you the way you are.”
His tender words caused her heart to constrict with hope. “I like you too.”
“I don’t know what I did to get myself such a good little wife,” he said huskily. “Which reminds me…I have something for you.”
He left the bed, striding over to pick up his dressing gown. She couldn’t help but stare at his backside, the taut curves and hollowed grooves of his arse, the flexing muscles of his back. When he headed back toward her, his virility arrested her breath. Even at rest, his male equipment was weighty, swaying heavily between his corded thighs.
“This is for you,” he said. “Unless there is something else you would like, my sweet?”
She’d been so busy ogling him that she hadn’t noticed that he was holding out a black velvet box tied with a silver ribbon. His knowing expression told her that he’d caught her staring at him, and he didn’t mind one bit.
Blushing, she took the box. “Thank you.”
He looked amused as he settled on the mattress beside her. “You haven’t opened it yet.”
“I don’t ’ave to open it to know that it was thoughtful o’ you to get me a gift.”
“Will you stop being sweet long enough to open the damned thing?”
The warmth in his eyes told her he was teasing. Dutifully, she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. There was another box inside, this one made of silver. Taking it out, she opened it, and her breath lodged.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She couldn’t reply. Couldn’t get the words out as she stared at the ring nestled in white satin.
The center stone was a flawless ruby the size of her thumbnail. A halo of diamonds surrounded the blood-red gem. The combination of fire and ice was utterly breathtaking.
“Here, try it on.” Taking the ring, Knight lifted her hand and slipped it onto her finger: it fit perfectly above her wedding band. “That looks nice, don’t you think?”
“It’s more than nice.” Her voice wasn’t quite steady. “Knight…it’s the most splendid thing anyone has given me.”
“Well, it is no tinker’s friend, but I am glad you like it.” Smiling, he stroked his thumb over the stacked rings. “When I saw the ruby, I was reminded of you.”
“You were?” She couldn’t see what she had in common with this precious jewel. “Why?”
“For starters, your price is beyond rubies.”
“Oh, Knight.” Her heart hiccupped at his gallantry.
“Then there’s the color of the ruby. At first, I was looking for something to match your eyes but they are peerless, I’m afraid. No jewel can capture their velvety warmth.”
