Page 85 of Never Tempt a Scot
“I think it’s time you two went to bed,” Regina ordered the two drunken men.
Ashton and Brock both laughed at that, but when they looked toward their wives, they sobered a bit.
“I think they’re serious,” whispered Brock.
“Brock. Bed. Now,” Joanna said, and Rosalind gave Ashton a pointed look that required no words.
Both men stood and moved on unsteady legs toward the women. Joanna put an arm around Brock’s back as they allowed Shelton to escort them to an empty bedchamber. Brock collapsed onto the bed, and Joanna had to straddle each of his legs to pull his riding boots off.
“How did you know about the baby?” she asked as she dropped the second boot to the floor.
“I always ken when you leave our bed,Sassenach. It feels empty without you. When you kept leaving me, something felt wrong. So I followed you, my sweet brave lass, and I heard you toss your accounts into the chamber pot.”
Joanna fell onto the bed beside Brock, and he pulled her close, kissing her.
“Are you upset about the baby? You and Ash were quite drunk this evening.”
“Upset? Did we sound upset to you, lass? But I must admit, I am worried. I didna have a good father, nor did you and Ashton. He and I spoke, and we both fear we won’t be good fathers.”
Joanna smacked his chest. “Getting foxed is not what a good husbandorfather does. Talk to your wives next time. Rosalind and I know you will be good fathers.”
“How can you be sure of that,Sassenach?” He looked so serious and troubled.
“Brock, who raised your siblings after your mother died?”
“I did.”
“Exactly. And did they all turn out well?”
Brock looked suddenly sheepish. “Well, Brodie’s gone and kidnapped a—”
“Besides that ...admittedly complicated matter.”
“Er ...” He still looked doubtful.
“At the very least, Aiden and Rosalind are fine.Youdid that.”
“So you’re saying two out of three isn’t bad?”
Joanna groaned. “Whenwe learn the truth about Brodie,thenwe can decide whether we need to assess your parenting skills again. But the truth is, you took care of them. Three of them. And not only that, you had to protect them from the abuse and tyranny of your father. If you could manage that under such dire conditions, imagine what you’ll be like raising a child without that fear and abuse looming over you.”
The crease in his brow faded. “You truly believe that, lass? I will be a good father?”
“I do.” She nuzzled his cheek and then cupped his face so she could press a lingering kiss to his lips.
Brock wound his arms around her waist. “You know, I’m not too foxed to make love to you.”
“Is that so?” Joanna giggled. “Prove it to me, Scot.”
And so he did.
Jackson Hunt faceda decision he had never expected to encounter again in his lifetime. It was close to midnight. They had finished a late dinner, and the candlelight made Jane’s skin glow like smooth alabaster. She had removed the pins in her hair earlier that evening, and her dark-red hair tumbled down in silky waves. She smelled like the most exotic flowers in a well-tended hothouse.
“Jackson?” She spoke his name sweetly.
“Yes?” he replied, his throat a little hoarse with emotion.
“You’re doing it again.”
