Page 121 of Ruthless with a Rogue
The man’s blue eyes flashed, and he pressed into Derek’s space.“Trust me, I earned theprivilegeof her Christian name long before you came along.”
“Careful, Mr.Thorton,” Derek whispered.“I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”
“Are you two done posturing?”Mr.Sheffield’s amused voice broke into their heated exchange.“I thought you had places to be, Lord Dunmore?We have things to discuss.”He clapped his hands and flashed his lopsided grin.“Chop, chop!”
A soft pressure landed on Derek’s arm, and his eyes locked on Livy’s.Everything he needed reflected back at him in those blue irises.Unspoken solace, surety.I’m yours.You’re mine.And perhaps a bit of exasperation.Now, that’s enough.
The tension he’d been holding loosened, and he let out a long breath, and with it the territorial edge, and a good portion of the dislike he held for the blond toad settling on the settee with Mr.Sheffield.
He led her over to the armchairs that sat across from the settee.
“Curious,” she whispered.“The man who discarded women without a care—one night and on to the next—has turned out to be fiercely possessive.”
He caught her gaze from the corner of his eye.“He finally met the right woman.”
Her lips pressed together against a smile, and he knew she wanted to roll her eyes at him.Rogue.
They took their seats.
“The foundling home?”Derek said gruffly.
“I’d like to become a benefactor,” Mr.Sheffield said.“Considering you’re building a second home, I was hoping there was room for another partner.”
Derek opened his mouth.And nothing happened.
“Quint,” Livy breathed.Thankfully, someone was able to find words.“How incredibly generous and thoughtful.And fitting.You have always stepped into the caretaker role with such ease.With me.With your younger sisters.”
He ruffled a hand through his chestnut curls and smiled wryly.“I’ve been searching for something.I’ve a spare bit of money lying around and was hoping to make a difference with it.After visiting the home…” His gaze landed on Derek.“I’ve never seen a foundling home like yours.It felt like a home.I want to be a part of that.”
Once again, Derek struggled for words.
“I believe what Lord Dunmore means to say is thank you.”Livy shot him an amused smile.
He narrowed his eyes at the fresh little minx.He turned back to Mr.Sheffield.“I appreciate that more than I can say, because that is exactly what we aim to provide to these children.
“I’ll need to discuss with my—partners.”His heart flinched at the word.At the fact that he might not get the chance to discuss this with Rafe.He forced a smile.“I am sure they would be happy to have you join us.Especially considering you come with a highly regarded reference.”He nodded toward Livy.
The man flashed a smile, a dimple popping.Derek just managed to hold back his grimace.The man really needed to stop smiling so much.It was nauseating.
“That’s excellent news.I can bring in ten thousand pounds.I’m happy to provide it up front if it’s needed for the build or set up a fund for annual installments,” Mr.Sheffield said.
Pardon me?Derek’s jaw fell open, and he stared dumbly at Mr.Sheffield.His head had emptied completely.He looked at Mr.Thorton, whose face mirrored his shock as well.
“You—you will be contributing ten thousand pounds?On your own?”
Livy was frowning at her friend.“Quinton, that is a hefty sum of money.Goodness, I hope you’re not donating your entire inheritance.”
“Quinton… Are you sure about this?”Mr.Thorton said quietly.
The man shrugged and threw the group one of his dopey grins.“So what if I am?”
“Mr.Sheffield…” Derek began.Now there was generous and then there was daft.
“Just Sheffield.”He extended his hand.“I hope, embarking on this venture together, we can dispense with formalities.”
Derek stared at the man’s gloved hand, an odd tightening starting in his chest.Clearing his throat, he nodded and grasped the man’s hand.He locked gazes with Sheffield, the man’s amber eyes and angular features more serious than Derek had ever seen.“Dunmore.”
Sheffield nodded, his lips curving the smallest amount.
