Page 104 of The Scoundrel in Her Bed

Finn wandered over, his stride loose and relaxed. He never failed to take Lavinia’s breath. He belonged out here with the horses. They responded to his voice, his touch, as she’d never seen any other equine respond to a person. “How’s my favorite girl?” he asked, coming to stand beside Sophie and tweaking Angela’s nose.

She giggled. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s true.” He leaned down and winked. “Well, I have two favorite girls. You and Auntie Vivi.”

Her green eyes widened. “What if her baby is a girl?”

“Then I’ll have three favorite lasses, won’t I?”

“And if it’s a boy?”

“Two favorite lads.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Where’s Robin?”

As though her mentioning him summoned him, he came out of the barn, saw her, and raced over. “Angela! Come on! You gotta come see what Uncle Thorne brought us. The biggest tortoise you’ll ever see. You can even ride it.”

With a squeal, she rushed off, following Robin. The lad had moved in with them, become part of their family. His love of animals astounded her.

“Where did Thorne get a tortoise?” Fanny asked.

“I don’t know. The Galapagos or somewhere. Robin can tell you all about it. We have quite a menagerie out behind the barn. We’ve added an ostrich since you were here. Robin is insisting we need to have a giraffe, but I don’t know about that. You should go see them, then come to the garden for some tea.”

As Fanny wandered away, Finn climbed over the fence, dropped to the ground, and took Lavinia into his arms.

“You smell like horses, hay, and leather,” she said.

“You love it.”

Turning in his arms, she wound her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“That’s only fair. Because I love you as well.”

Lowering his head, he kissed her soundly and deeply. She would never tire of this, tire of the way he made her feel appreciated and loved. While she returned his kiss with equal fervor, horses neighed, children squealed with delight in the distance, and their baby moved within her.