The Scoundrel Takes a Bride by Stefanie Sloane

Author:Stefanie Sloane [Sloane, Stefanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: C429, Extratorrents, Kat
ISBN: 9780345536020
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

“You hurt my feelings, young man, taking your dinner in your room. On a tray, no less.”

Nicholas smiled warmly at Mrs. Welch, Petworth’s cook. “Well, that is typically how one does it, though I would be most happy to entertain other ideas. Perhaps a horse’s backside? Wide enough to accommodate all of the necessary dishes and such. Still, how would one ensure the nag did not wander off with one’s meal?”

Mrs. Welch let out a cackle that could surely be heard on the Continent. “You well know what I’m unhappy about, you sly fox. But it is nice to know you haven’t changed, Nicholas—oh blast! Mr. Bourne, that is. All these years and I can’t think of you as anything else. Your own fault for not visiting us a time or two when you were grown.”

Nicholas sat back, the heat from the kitchen fireplace pleasantly warm. “Then we have something in common, Mrs. Welch. For I cannot think of you as anything other than the young, beautiful cook who so cruelly denied my advances.”

“You were a boy, Nich—Mr. Bourne,” Mrs. Welch said, catching herself. “And the second son of an earl. Besides, it was only my tarts you were interested in,” she finished, shooing away a kitchen girl with a wave.

Nicholas simply looked at the woman with a slight smile, arching his eyebrow as he took another drink of coffee. “Your tarts?”

“Ah! Go on with you, then,” Mrs. Welch howled, her peal of laughter making the spurned kitchen girl titter with amusement.

“Dear me, I seem to have missed the joke.”

Nicholas swung about in his chair. Sophia stood in the doorway that divided the kitchens from the servants’ dining area. He’d woken that morning thankful that they’d decided against anything more than rest last night. Their conversation had taken a toll on both of them.

He stood and sketched a neat bow. “There will be another one shortly, never fear.”

Mrs. Welch rose to her feet as well and curtsied, her excitement over Sophia’s presence palpable. “Lady Sophia, I don’t suppose you’ll remember me. We are all so glad to have you here once again. Welcome home.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Welch,” Sophia answered, walking to the scarred kitchen table and taking a seat. “And of course I remember you—quite fondly, actually. You were my most stalwart supporter against Reynolds.”

Mrs. Welch grimaced at the sound of the butler’s name. “Well, I don’t know if the news reached London. Mr. Reynolds had his comeuppance served to him on the horn of an angry bull. He was gored to death while chasing after a village boy who he believed had stolen from the manor’s gardens.”

“Good Lord,” Sophia uttered, her eyes widening with horror.

“I beg your pardon, my lady,” Mrs. Welch blurted out, looking pleadingly at Sophia. “I must learn to mind my tongue. It’s just that we’re not used to anyone else but the small staff, you see.” She eyed Sophia carefully.

Sophia cocked her head, confusion flitting across her face, only to be quickly followed by a mischievous smile.

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