Page 129 of The Pirate and the Pagan
Mr. Burke came forward then. He and Summer looked at each for long silent moments then his right eyelid lowered in a conspiratorial wink and she knew that everything was going to be all right. He took her arm possessively and said, “Come up to your chamber, my lady, and tell me if there is anything I’ve forgotten.”
She was grateful that he had not assembled all the servants to gawk at her and she realized in that moment that the goodwill of this man meant more to her than that of the King and all the court.
Ruark took his son from the arms of Mrs. Bishop and lifted him onto his shoulders, then they galloped around the house and out into the gardens like wildmen. It was impossible to tell which Helford was enjoying himself more. When they got to the fountain, Ruark set him on his feet and watched his son fondly as he reached into the water to try to catch the flashing fish. “Ryan, old man, we have a big job ahead of us. Somehow we have to pierce the protective carapace she’s built about herself.” His hand rested momentarily on the black silk curls, so like Summer’s. “Well, you’ve stolen my heart and I believe you will steal your mother’s.”
Ryan sloshed water all over his father and laughed recklessly.
“You little sod!”
“Sod! Sod!” cried Ryan in imitation.
“How come you learn swear words quicker than other words?” Ruark demanded, laughing, but Ryan was busy climbing over the edge of the fountain and his father had to fish him out.
Mrs. Bishop was outraged when they returned to the house and scolded Ruark loudly for wetting the child.
“You’re going to bathe him before you put him to bed, aren’t you?” inquired Ruark.
“Of course,” said Mrs. Bishop.
“So what’s the difference?” he asked with annoying male logic. Then he said, “Bish, after you’ve had your dinner I want you to take yourself off to Roseland for the night. You can take a letter for me to Spencer. He’ll bring you back tomorrow.”
“But Ryan might need me,” she pointed out.
“He needs his mother more, Bish. And she needs him,” he added.
Mr. Burke had a supper tray sent up to Lady Helford’s chamber and Summer had just finished eating when Ruark came in, in shirt sleeves. She betrayed her thoughts by the blush upon her cheek, which told Ruark she was wondering if he intended to sleep in this chamber. He had no intentions of forcing himself upon her, but he knew that intimacy had to be reestablished between them. He glanced at the food she had left on the tray and said, “Can’t you eat more than that, love?” He took the cover from a silver dish and saw the first strawberries of the season. He helped himself to one and took the dish across to her. She was sitting beside the open French door which led to the balcony. That balcony she had thought never to enjoy again.
“You were always particularly partial to strawberries,” he reminded her as he held one out for her. She smiled and let him put it into her mouth.
“Mmm,” she sighed. “I’ll be spoiled rotten within twenty-four hours.”
“It will give me the greatest pleasure in the world to spoil you,” he said, putting the silver dish in her hands and going to the bedside cabinet to take out her rubies. He opened the velvet cases for her and she touched the glowing jewels with a tentative finger.
“How lovely they are,” she murmured.
“They are lovelier when you are wearing them. May I put them on for you?” he asked softly.
She remembered how she’d vowed that he would clasp them about her neck again before she was done with him. How willful and worldly she’d been in those days. How selfish and greedy she had allowed herself to become. Now it was like getting a second chance in life. Never again would she take a beautiful gown or a sumptuous meal for granted. She would be deeply appreciative of the life she would have with this man.
His hands fastened the necklace at the nape of her neck and his fingers could not resist touching the springy little curls which lay there. “You are beautiful,” he breathed.
“I know I’m not,” she said wistfully. “You’re just being kind.”
“Me? Kind?” he asked in mock amazement.
She giggled, but sobered quickly. “I must let Auntie Lil know I’m rescued.”
Ruark drew up a chair close to hers. His eyes were filled with teasing amusement.
“Lil told me you’d gone off with Rory, that you were in love with him.”
“And so I was,” she teased back.
He grew serious. “She really believes you’ve been with Rory. She has no idea you were imprisoned. There’s no need to enlighten her, nor anyone, for that matter.”
A great weight was removed from her and relief showed in her eyes.
Then he added gently, “Anyone, that is, except me. How did you come to be there, love?”
