“As I hope we will be,” he murmured.
“I will know we are if you’re as vocal when you are making love to me,” she countered.
“You minx,” he accused.
She inhaled sharply and stared at him.
“What is it?”he asked, quickly sobering.
“My father says that to my mother.Frequently.”
“Which is probably why there is a Bradley,” he said dryly.He once again grew serious.“Truth be told, my father says it to my mother, and I’ve heard my uncle say it to my aunt on many occasions whilst on this trip.”
He watched as she stared at him, as if she couldn’t decide if she should put voice to her thoughts or keep them to herself.“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he urged.
Helen stiffened in his hold.“How many other…minxeswill there be, do you suppose?”
Tom blinked, at first not understanding her query.“Other minxes?”he repeated.
“Mistresses?”she clarified.“Ladies of the evening?”
He shook his head.“I don’t employ any, nor do I intend to in the future,” he said.“Why would I if we’re going to be making love so… vocally?”he added, allowing a teasing grin.“And frequently?”He sighed with relief when she settled back into his hold.
“Even when I am round with child?”
“Oh, especially when you are round with child,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead and eyelids.He made a sound of frustration in his throat.“If I don’t leave this room right now…”
“Then what?”she prompted.
“I’m going to end up holding you in my arms until we both fall asleep, and when we’re discovered in the morning?—”
“Who would discover us?”
“—by any one of my family or yours,” he went on, ignoring her query.“My uncle will string me up by my…” Here he clamped his mouth shut and grimaced.“Well, let’s just say we won’t be having all those children we want.”
Helen sighed with frustration.“Oh, all right.Then be off with you,” she said, giving him a gentle shove.
Tom bestowed another kiss on her forehead, then her lips, and finally on the back of both of her hands before he let go, bowed, and made his way to the door.
He opened it to discover both his uncle and the Earl of Everly standing on the other side of it, his uncle’s arms crossed and their expressions suggesting he would not be long for this earth.
Lord Everly’s fist barely missed the same cheek Helen had slapped only moments ago.
