Bitter disappointment pushed tears from her eyes.'Now what's wrong? I said you could wear it.'She drew in a shaky breath.'I w-wanted you to l-like my dreeessssss.'He moved his gaze over her.'The gown makes my mouth water, love.

Ho! Wise men say, 'He who hath not a good and ready memory should never meddle in telling lies.''Drew smiled. 'I have a good and ready memory.

She hated Mr. Meanie. But she'd gotten to know him and they'd reached an understanding of sorts. Now she was to have him for supper.'Don't tell me you're feeling guilty?'Breaking off a piece of the wing, she brought it to her lips and took a bite. It did taste good. Very good.'I wonder if all grouchy males are this palatable.'Drew choked.She looked up, tilting her head. 'Are you all right?'He turned a dull red. 'Eat your supper, Connie.

He wants a fifteen thousand pound settlement.'Fifteen thousand!'He says you're a great deal of trouble.'She hesitated for one startled moment before choking back a laugh.'I am.'I thought so.' He leveled Drew a look. 'If I pay you the fifteen thousand, do you swear to keep her?'Drew reared back his head. 'Forever?'Her father scowled. 'Forever.'Oh, I suppose.' He gave a long-suffering sigh. 'If I must.'She bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing outright.

Lord Randall barreled inside, brandishing his cane in Drew's face.'You beggarly knave, I was told this marriage was in name only! Who gave you permission to consummate the vows?'Theodore Hopkin, governor of this colony, representative of the kind, and it's going to cost you plenty, for that daughter of yours is nothing but trouble. What in the blazes were you thinking to allow her an education?'Drew bit back his smile at the man's shocked expression. Nothing like landing the first punch.Lord Randall furrowed his bushy gray brows.'I knew not about her education until it was too late.'Drew straightened the cuffs of his shirt. 'Well, be prepared to pay dearly for it. No man should have to suffer through what I do with the constant spouting of the most addlepated word puzzles you could imagine.'-----------------------------------------'I require fifteen thousand pounds.'Lord Randall spewed ale across the floor. 'What! Surely drink has tickled your poor brain. You're a FARMER, you impudent rascal. I'll give you five thousand.'Drew plopped his drink onto the table at his side, its contents sloshing over the rim. A satisfied smile broke across his face.'Excellent.' He stood.'When will you take her back to England with you? Today? Tomorrow?'The old man's red-rimmed eyes widened. 'I cannot take her back. Why, she's already birthed a child!' Drew shrugged. 'Fifteen thousand or I send her AND the babe back, with or without you.

Oh, they'll never believe a woman could solve such puzzles. They'll just assume I'm humoring you by editing it myself and allowing you to put your name to it.'She raised her eyebrows. 'But you wouldn't be.'He humphed. 'They'll never hear me admit it.'I will,' she said, a smile curving her lips.He shrugged. 'They'll believe me, not you.

Sneezeweed, Drew?'He grinned. 'Jealous?'Surprised.'Remind me, and I'll have a talk with Gerald. Give him a few tips.'Promise?'Absolutely.

Look. Isn't he beautiful?'Drew's expression softened. 'Ah, Nellie. He's bald, pink, and has no teeth. What's so beautiful about that?'Nellie's laugh tinkled out like musical chimes while she covered the babe back up.

You next,' he said. 'Out of those clothes and into bed.'She nodded but didn't move from Sally's side. The thought of undressing exhausted her. Where would she find the strength such a task would require?'I'm filthy. I'll ruin the new bed.'I'll bring you some fresh water.'I've no clothes to change into.'His grin was downright wicked. 'I know.'A short laugh escaped her.

You were kidnapped not?'I was kidnapped.'You were forced not into marriage?'I was forced into marriage.'You want not an annulment?'I want not an annulment.