The next definitely was.
“So I hope Loren doesn’t go about the realm buying his ownproperties where we already have them so you both can beat homeinyourhomesand keep me company well into the future when we’re near toeach other.”
“And that’s even lovelier,” she replied.
Ansley poured coffee.“I’m further pleased at yourdemonstration of patience and loyalty, my dear, but I hope a certain someone atthis table learned his lesson last night.”
Loren sighed, sat back, and reached for his own cup.
“I did my best,”Satrinechirped,looking at him and winking.
“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered.
“Son, a lady is in our midst,” Ansley admonished.
“Father, my intended not only enjoys my foul mouth, she hasone of her own that I feel it’s safe to say I enjoy far more.”
Satrinechoked on a bite ofsausage.
“Good gods,” Ansley groaned.
Now Loren was grinning.
It died when he pointed out, “Though, I didn’t enjoySatrinesharing with me how generous you were with theknowledge of my service.”
“Loren.”NowSatrinewasadmonishing,
And she was correct.
This was not for the breakfast table and should be betweenhim and his father.
Or that was the case yesterday.
She was now theirs, so she’d have to learn to sit throughthis kind of thing, for his father and he did it often.
“Did your betrothed rush to your side last night?”Ansleyasked.
Loren knew were this was going and elected not to reply.
“Is she sitting with us right now, gracing our table?”Ansley pressed on.
Loren spared his fiancée a glance and saw she was grinninginto her coffee cup.
She knew where it was heading too.
“Would that you have children who think you’re a fool wellinto adulthood,” Ansley bid.
“I don’t think you’re a fool,” Loren retorted.“I simplythink you have a big mouth.”
“You are recovered.You are yourself.Satrineis here,” Ansley recounted the evidence.“There will be a day you willacknowledge I know what I’m doing.I simply hope that day comes when I’m stillbreathing.”
“And I never contended you don’t know what you’re doing,”Loren returned.“You’re the wisest man I know, and you are that to me in amanner I know you always will be.This doesn’t mean, from the time I was achild, you being thus wasn’t supremely annoying.”
When he finished, his father’s face was warm, his mouthsoft.
But it wasSatrinewho spoke.
“You two are incredibly cute.”
