Page 25 of Two Ruins Make a Right

There is nothing like a good “ruin” to set the right course.

T wo years later

Valentina stood in the morning room with her hands on her hips.

“Father and Mother,” she said bluntly. “We must talk.” She blew out a breath, upsetting a black curl that had mutinied from her other tamed curls.

Her emerald green gaze slowly landed on her thirteen-month-old little brother, Mr. Andrew Richardson, who Nell was currently holding.

“This was not at all what I was promised.”

James’s gaze slowly slid to his beautiful wife, who held their son in her arms. Nell’s gaze met his, and she pursed her lips together to keep from grinning.

“I fear we’re in for a good verbal thrashing, my love,” Nell whispered over her cup of tea for her husband’s ears only. “She looks properly outraged, and she called us Father and Mother . We’re definitely in trouble.”

“She didn’t even say ‘good morning,’” James added.

He patted the chair to his immediate left. “Come and join us. Have you had breakfast, poppet?”

“That’s the problem,” she mumbled as she took her seat.

In a very dignified manner for an eight-year-old, she scooted to the edge of her chair and clasped her hands together, reminiscent of a governess ready to scold her charges.

“Abigail and I were having breakfast in the nursery when Andrew toddled in and pulled Abigail’s hair.

She was so aghast at his behavior that she immediately fell off her chair.

” She glanced Andrew’s way and lifted a haughty brow.

“He made himself right at home in her place and ate her biscuits.”

The baby was so enthralled with his big sister that he reached a hand toward her and squealed, “Tee.”

Valentina rolled her eyes. “He can’t even say my name correctly.

As you can plainly see, that’s another problem.

” She shook her head in consternation. “This simply won’t do.

Andrew is certainly dear, but he’s messy with his food.

Not only that, but he tends to”—she leaned close as if divulging a secret—“soil himself without a care as to who might be offended by the smell.”

Nell’s eyes softened. “Darling, he can’t help it. He’s not even two.”

Valentina sniffed for good measure. “And he hurts Abigail’s feelings.”

Andrew smiled a near-toothless grin his sister’s way.

Valentina released a long-suffering sigh. “I’ll admit he has a certain charm, but we must simply come to an accord. Dare I say we must work out a compromise?”

“And what might that be?” James asked, winking at Nell.

Whenever he did that, it was always as if they shared a small secret just between the two of them.

In the two years they’d been married, he’d been her knight errant and fiercest companion, not to mention the most ardent lover a woman could ever desire.

Instinctively, she leaned a little closer and captured his scent, one she’d recognize forever—her true love, her mate, the father of her children, the man who’d made all her dreams possible.

Valentina straightened in her chair. “You must sleep with one another again. I’d like a new sibling.”

Nell had never seen their daughter so serious. James carefully replaced the piece of bacon that he’d been about to eat on the plate before him and devoted his full attention to Valentina.

“A sister this time, if you please,” she said with a nod.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Miss Valentina, there you are.” Her new governess, Miss Adam, walked into the room, followed by Miss Owens.

“It’s time for your lessons,” the governess announced.

“And I’m here to take the baby for his morning bath,” Miss Owens added.

Valentina shared a conspiratorial look with her father and Nell.

“Before Andrew, I never much cared for etiquette lessons. They’re essential now.

Never fear, Mama and Papa, I shall teach my brother everything I learn.

He’ll not be a heathen much longer.” After her wise words, she bounced out of the chair and ran to Miss Adam.

The kind governess smiled their way then took Valentina’s hand as their daughter chatted like a magpie. Nell only caught a few phrases, but apparently, their daughter was describing Andrew’s latest transgressions in the nursery room.

Miss Owens took the baby and left the room, chatting about the day she had planned for him.

James reached over and took Nell’s hand in hers. His mirth was apparent as his shoulders shook, and his laughter filled the room. “I believe our daughter will have a tight grip on our son’s leading strings for quite a while.”

“Both of them loving every minute, I’m sure.” Nell brought their clasped hands close to her heart and squeezed. “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For making me the happiest woman in all the county.”

A slight hint of red colored his cheeks. “Thank you for making me the happiest man in all of England.” He leaned close and pressed his lips against hers. “Valentina brought up compromise, and I wanted to share the conversation I had with the duke this morning.”

Nell daintily wiped her serviette against her mouth. “Please do.”

“He received a letter from your father informing him that the revised budget the duke and I have drafted is quite adequate to meet your parents’ needs.

He was thankful for my increased payments to the creditors.

” James cupped her cheek with one hand. “I’m happy to say that your father has been on time every month with payments. ”

Nell let out a sigh of contentment. Before she married James, the duke and James had sent for her father and had been honestly blunt with what they expected of her parents after Nell and Christa had married into the family.

Neither her mother nor father was ever to approach their daughters again with their financial woes.

If they did, then the small monthly stipend James gave them to supplement their income would permanently disappear.

It had been one of the most serene moments of her life when James had taken all her worries in hand about her parents’ financial scandals. Masterfully, he’d created a budget and payment plan they could all live with.

“I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for that.” Nell squeezed his hand with hers.

“Darling,” he said in that deep voice that never failed to make her body shimmer in anticipation. “You never have to thank me.” He studied their clasped hands and brought them closer. “I love you, and I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

“And what about our daughter?” she asked.

He waggled his eyebrows, then stood and extended his hand for her to take. “The only way to make her happy is to take you to bed and sleep with you.”

“Now?” she asked.

“Indeed.” He nodded once, his face serious. “And you should be prepared to be completely ravished as we ‘sleep.’”

Her eyes widened. “What about your meeting with Harry?”

“If I’m late arriving at Harry and Christa’s house this morning, I dare say they won’t even notice.

Harry has probably already finished his morning work.

He’s relishing his position as the duke’s new assistant estate manager.

” James glanced at the longcase clock. “I’d even venture that they’re probably ravishing each other as well. ”

“James,” she scolded.

“Nell,” he answered playfully as he led her from the table. “They’re in love just as we are.” When Nell leaned against him, he stopped and took her into his arms. “Shall we tell Valentina that her wish may already be granted?”

Nell looked into his deep gaze. Her devotion to for him grew every day and portended a future filled with love and celebrations of all life’s perfect moments.

He must have seen the same reflected in her eyes. He whispered her name and took her in a kiss that promised that all her dreams would come true.

The truth was…they already had. This man had given her his daughter, his son, and his heart. She poured all her soul into that kiss, so he’d never doubt what she felt for him—a love that was never-ending.

“James,” she whispered as she looked deep into his eyes. “I don’t know if I’m carrying.” She smiled shyly. “However, my body is changing just as it did when I first carried Andrew. I pray that it’s true. I want nothing more than to have another baby with you.”

“Perhaps we should try for a least three more children after this one.” He pressed his lips against hers, and Nell felt a smile spread across her lips. “As I’ve always said, the more the merrier.”

Nell grinned as she shook her head. “Well, practice does make perfect .”

He tugged her toward their bedroom. “I like your thinking, wife. Let’s go practice ruining each other, shall we?”

He wouldn’t have to ask again. “I’ll ruin you any time,” she quipped.

“And I you.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that made her want to curl her toes. “Do you know what else I always say?”

She shook her head.

By then, they were ready to enter their bedroom.

“Two ruins make a right.” He flashed a smile that made her want to melt into him.

“Prepare to be ruined.” He pressed another kiss to her lips as he swung open the door.

Before she could answer, he swept her into his arms, carried her over the threshold, and then closed the door with a sturdy kick of one boot. “Completely.”