Page 100 of Ruthless with a Rogue
They reached the back door that led to the courtyard, and Mrs.Green smiled warmly at them.
“Lord Dunmore and a dozen or so of the children will be just through here.”
They filed out into the courtyard, and laughter and high-pitched yips spilled over them.The area was well-manicured, the grass lush and cleanly cut, with a small vegetable garden off to one side.A few boys were miming how to dig in a small square of dirt, giggling uncontrollably.Two little puppies, their white bodies wriggling and brown ears perked, stared up at them, happy tails a wagging blur.
And there in the middle of the courtyard sat Derek, sans coat, reclining leisurely on his hands in the grass, smiling the most boyish, joyful smile Livy had ever seen adorn his face.Two brown-haired girls who looked to be no older than ten knelt to his right, and an even younger, thin, straw-haired boy sat on Derek’s left.Four round-bellied white-and-brown spaniel puppies hobbled over their legs and laps, eliciting delighted squeals from the children and the occasional laugh from the usually austere rogue.
Livy’s heart squeezed, and a word whispered on the light breeze:Family.
A lone puppy came barreling up to them, and Quinton bent down on his haunches to greet it.Two older boys with matching white-blond hair were close behind, hot on the puppy’s heels.The puppy hopped frantically on its two legs, front paws scrambling on Quinton’s buff breeches, covering his gloves with little puppy kisses.
“Well, aren’t you a handsome devil?”he said, amusement rich in his voice.
The two boys hesitated and stood quietly, fingers picking at their tan cotton trousers.
“Does this little guy have a name?”Quinton smiled up at them, eyes crinkling at the corners.
The boys exchanged a quick glance before shaking their heads.
“Well, I think we should remedy that.Do you have any ideas?”
“I was sayin’ Dash would be a goodun, sir,” the younger of the two said in a small voice.
Quinton picked up a stick lying in the grass and tossed it.The pup clambered after it, tripping in its haste.“Well, I would say that is a fine name for the quick little fellow.As soon as he grows into his legs, he’ll be dashing all over the place.”
A gap-toothed smile split the little boy’s face.
“Shall we test his speed?I wonder if we can challenge little Dash here to a race with you two.What say you?”
“Yessir!”the boys cried, darting off after the pup, Quinton chuckling in their wake.
Liv’s own gentle chuckle whispered around her as her attention drifted over the courtyard.Her aunt was off by the garden, talking with Mrs.Green, leaving Livy free to—
Her gaze collided with Derek’s, and as it had of late, it stole her breath.Because that stare was different now, as though at the sight of her, a quiet happiness settled over him.
His grin widened, and her heart skipped a beat.She walked over and smiled down at the children and puppies surrounding Derek.“May I join this little party?”
Derek patted the ground next to him.“Please do, Miss Forester.”He turned to the children.“Miss Forester, may I introduce Miss Emily, Miss Betsy, and Master Titus?”
Livy dipped a curtsy, her soft peach skirts fluttering, eliciting delighted littleooo’s from the girls.“A pleasure to meet you, fine ladies and gent.”She sat down between the girls and Derek, and the smaller of the two girls peeked around the other and said shyly, “Your dress is real fine, Miss Forester.”
“Why, thank you.Yours is quite lovely too.”
The girl flushed a blotchy pink while she picked at the white pinafore covering her burgundy dress.
The little straw-haired boy stared up at her with wide, deep-brown eyes.
Livy wiggled her fingers in a little wave.
“Yer face is purty,” he chirped.
Livy bit her lip to prevent a smile.“Thank you, kind sir.What a little charmer you are.”
“I daresay he is going to provide stiff competition,” Derek murmured as he ruffled the boy’s hair.
The puppies began wandering off, meandering over to where Quinton and the two boys were running and hopping around with Dash.Livy touched her fingers to her soft smile.They clearly didn’t want to miss out on the fun.
“You lot best hurry up, or you’re going to lose your puppies,” Derek warned.
