Page 62 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
“If she’s not, at least I am.”
Brogden laughed until there was moisture in his eyes. “I never had any doubt that you wouldn’t know what to do with one of these English birds once you found one who liked your homely face.” He straightened his good leg and pinched the wetness from his lashes. “I noticed your viscountess was not the only lady climbing down from your carriage. Did you manage to get yourself leg shackled twice?”
“Devona insisted we bring Madeleina from Foxenclover.”
“Madeleina.” Brogden sat back and murmured her name several times. “It makes me think of hot sand on a beach and an even hotter woman in my arms.”
“Not that woman. She is only fourteen!” Rayne said, his warning clear. His sister would think him a real fiend if he threw her at someone as old and scarred as Brogden.
Unperturbed, his lips formed a secret smile. “Depending on where you are in the world, she’s old enough to marry and have a baby hugging her hip. Unless—” He opened one eye. “Is she your by-blow, Tipton?”
“Are you addled? I would have had to have been her age to sire her!”
Brogden’s clasped hands parted, palms up. “My point exactly. A perfectly respectable age for making babies.”
“Now that I’m back, I think we are going to work on weaning you from your favorite medicine. It is rotting holes in your brain, my friend. Thatchildis my sister. Consider her off-limits.”
“Sister?” He scoffed. “She is too pretty to be related to the likes of you. Maybe she’s your half sister.”
Tired and realizing he was being teased, Rayne gestured to the remaining stump of the injured leg. “I want to check the healing.”
Affronted, Brogden sent Rayne a look that reminded him of the man he had known eight years earlier. “I know my business.”
Rayne settled on his haunches in front of him. “So much so that you had to cross several oceans to have me cut it off.”
“Ouch!” His friend winced. “It’s tender. Have a care.” He looked away while Rayne pulled some scissors from his pocket and cut into the bandages. “How long is Madeleina visiting her dear brother?”
He frowned, not liking the way Brogden said her name. “Long enough,” was all Rayne said.
“Damn, that hurts!” his friend growled through clenched teeth. Sweat began glistening on his brow. “Some host. You drag me out of my home because you did not approve of my care, and where does that leave me? Alone with no one to kiss me on the head and hold my hand.” He laughed, but there was no humor motivating it. “Your lips are on the thin side for my taste. Why don’t you call up your sister and she—argh!” His face flamed red while he choked on the pain. “Bloody sadist!” Brogden gripped the arms of his chair; all thought of taunting Tipton about the pretty lass with the swinging hair of rich, sweet molasses was forgotten.
***
Preparing herself for bed, Devona scooped water from the ceramic basin and scrubbed away the grime with her fingertips. Eyes closed, she reached for a nearby towel only to find it missing. She felt the soft brush of fabric on her opposing cheek.
“Very amusing.” She turned her face into the offered towel and dried her face. “Tipton?”
“Are you expecting another?”
Finished, she tossed the towel at his chest. “Oh, there might be a man or two squirreled away if you prove to be annoying,” she teased.
“I doubt it,” he replied in all seriousness. “I think I have managed to ferret out and dispose of all your suitors.”
“I vow, Tipton, you make it sound as if I had suitors hiding behind the drapery.” Devona sat in front of the small dressing table. She scrutinized her face, trying to note the changes in her features since she had become a married woman. If there were any, she could not discern them.
“Do you always frown at your image?” Curiosity brought him closer so that he stood behind her.
“You will think me foolish.”
“You? Committing a foolish act? Absurd.”
Devona’s mouth twisted into a smirk. “None of that or I shall be hunting up one of those hidden suitors.”
Rayne held her reflective gaze in the mirror. “For the sake of marital harmony, I shall retract my previous comments.”
She felt his strong, thick fingers nimbly sift through her hair and remove the pins that secured her braids. She loved the feel of his hands on her. He efficiently worked his fingers over her scalp; the accidental grazing of his nails was simply heaven.
“Why would I think you foolish?” his lulling tone questioned.
