Page 129 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“Brothers,” Rafe said hoarsely.
Derek nodded, mouth pressing tight as he fought back the army of emotions battling inside him.“Brothers.”
Walking over to the bellpull, he called over his shoulder, “Prepare yourself,Raffy.The house is about to come running.The Duke has awoken, after all.”
He glanced back at his friend.Rafe was sporting a weak smile.If that wasn’t a boon, Derek didn’t know what was.
65
Livy
Livyabsentlybrushedherquill over her chin as she sat on a couch in the Ironcrest library, snuggled up improperly close to Derek, but she really couldn’t be bothered about propriety any longer.He was reviewing ledgers while she was working through translating an Italian text on the concept of an analytical engine that she and Mr.Hodge could use for their research.She let out a happy little sigh.She could see it—days like this with Derek.This was her future.
“How was your visit with Miss Wentworth?Or Lady Wentworth, I suppose I should say.”
The sound of Derek’s ledger slapping shut filled the library.“Very well.She seemed…much more relaxed than the last time I visited.She didn’t ask any questions, but she’s an intelligent woman.I’m sure she assumes.”He cleared his throat.“Rutledge and I offered to act as financial advisors for her, in any capacity really.Since she just inherited an entire barony with all its investments and a shipping enterprise.The sharks are already circling.”
Livy’s chest warmed.Of course they had.Ever the protector, even if he’d deny it.Her gaze caressed his face, black waves a disordered mess from raking his hands through them, spectacles making his cheekbones seem even sharper.He was stunning.“That was very thoughtful of you.“It was the least I could do,” he said gruffly.“Considering the information she provided me.”
Livy snorted and raised a brow at him.“Yes, because…removing her abusive father from the equation wasn’t enough.”
He shrugged, and heavens, he was adorable when he was bashful, a light blush peeking out from below the rims of his spectacles.He dropped his voice and bounced his eyebrows playfully.“What’s a little murder to solve a problem?”
“You know.”She pointed the end of her quill at him.“I have yet to find that as a recommended solution.”
He indicated toward the text in her lap.“Clearly, you’re reading the wrong material.”
She grinned.“You’re a muttonhead.”
Derek threw his head back with a dramatic sigh.“First a noodle.Now a muttonhead.”
“If the Hessian fits.”
He grinned at her, then ducked in for a quick kiss.His expression sobered.“She—Lady Wentworth, that is—is making a donation to the foundling home to express her appreciation.We have more than enough funds now.It’s baffling…”
It was.To think they’d been scrambling for funds for so long and now had a surplus.Livy let her head fall back on Derek’s shoulder, and Derek rested his chin atop her head.Her eyes fell shut, and she let the happy contentment settle around her; the warmth of the man behind her, the feel of the soft rise and fall of his chest.They could finally breathe.Now they could finallybe.
Derek shifted, and she could tell he was leaning over her and glancing down at her journal.His soft chuckle whooshed over her, sending the stray tendrils that had slipped from her plait fluttering across her cheeks.“How is it that your translation into English is somehow thrice as long as the original?”
She twisted to face him again and grinned.“Because I’m adding my own notes and additions, of course.It isfascinating.Did you know, I think this analytical engine can be so much more than we were originally thinking.I think it could beprogrammable.It wouldn’t just complete a calculation but could develop and perform any function we program into it.So, we would design the punch cards, and the analytic engine would read them based on various functions.”
Derek was nodding slowly.“Fascinating.So, similar to Jaquard’s loom.”
Livy bounced in her seat.“Exactly!”
He grinned, his teeth digging into his bottom lip.Something glinted in the vibrant green eyes staring at her, and she froze.That hooded gaze was…predatory.
He leaned forward, hovering a breath away from her.
“A letter for Miss Forester,” Rogers, the Ironcrest butler, intoned.
A frustrated growl fled Derek, but he pulled away.Livy tightened her lips against a smile and took the letter from Rogers.“Thank you,” she murmured as she sliced it open and then handed the letter opener back to the butler.She glanced at Derek.“It’s from Mr.Hodge.”She started scanning—and her jaw dropped.
“What is it?”Derek leaned into her, practically blocking her view of the letter so he could read it.“Bloody fucking hell, Livy!”
She opened and closed her mouth, but she was having quite a bit of trouble forming thoughts, let alone words.Oh my goodness.
“This isbrilliant.You’rebrilliant.A presentation at the Royal Society!”His head whipped toward her, and he planted a bruising kiss on her lips.“My woman,” he growled.“Giving a presentation alongside Mr.Hodge at the Royal Society.”
