Free The Scoundrel Takes a Bride: A Regency Rogues Novel by Stefanie Sloane

relieved
     when her voice sounded reasonably normal. “My involvement was a foregone conclusion.
     The question was whether you would help me or not.”
    He lowered his arms to the table, brushing her wrist with his hand. Sophia pressed
     her fingertips against the hard wood though she wanted nothing more than to touch
     him back—to experience the delicious thrill his nearness afforded.
    She held her breath and waited.

7
    He wanted to kiss her. Badly. The embarrassment over their altercation at the Primrose
     lifted from his obstinate heart as she searched his face. He could see his reflection
     in the depths of her emerald eyes, and he liked the view this time around. He was
     not the depraved, pathetic soul she’d encountered at the inn. No, he was soul-weary,
     but sober.
    He lowered his forearms to the table. His hand brushed torturously against the inside
     of Sophia’s wrist.
    “How can I say no?” Nicholas asked, his throat suddenly parched.
    Sophia licked her lips.
    He watched as the tip of her tongue dampened her full bottom lip, and then lightly
     stroked the top lip until it glistened.
    “You can’t.”
    He should have been angry. Enraged, even.
    Instead, he was aroused.
    A loud crash rang out above, followed by a cry of distress.
    Sophia blinked quickly, as if awoken from a dream. “Was that Mouse?”
    Nicholas ran his hands through his hair until his scalp tingled. “It could’ve been
     Singh. I suppose we should check on them?”
    Sophia nodded as she pushed her chair out and stood.She rounded the table before Nicholas could secure his bearings, and quit the room
     in a swirl of flying skirts.
    Nicholas hit the table hard with his fist, biting off a curse as he stood and followed
     after her, feeding his speed with frustration.
    The muffled sound of voices grew more distinct as they turned down the hall. By the
     time they neared the open guest-room doorway, there was a second crash, followed by
     Singh’s abrupt wail of protest.
    The two paused just across the threshold, staring in disbelief at the chaos.
    His thin face determined, Mouse stood with his back to the wall on the far side of
     the fireplace. He held a poker upright, gripping it with both hands as he threatened
     Singh.
    Singh stood across the room, eyeing the boy.
    The remains of a porcelain pitcher and bowl lay scattered in pieces on the floor between
     them.
    “What happened?” Sophia asked.
    The two turned to look at Sophia and Nicholas. Mouse’s expression took on a faint
     edge of fear; Singh’s face one of bewilderment.
    “I suggested to young Mouse that he might be more comfortable if he washed.” He gestured
     at Mouse’s appearance, covered with grime. “And he broke the bowl. And the pitcher.
     Have I offended him in some way?”
    “He’s right,” Nicholas told the boy, attempting to hide his amusement. “You’re filthy.”
    “No.” The boy shook his head, a stubborn light in his blue eyes. “I’ll catch my death,
     I will. I never wash. My mum warned me not to.”
    Sophia moved farther into the room, closer to Mouse, and nodded in understanding.
     “While I’m sure that’s true, I think your mother would approve of a quick wash-up.
     The soap and water will do you good.”
    Mouse continued to look skeptical about the whole undertaking and held his ground.
    Nicholas tapped his hand on his thigh and readied to strong-arm the boy into surrender.
    “The men will help you undress, Mouse, while I fetch a second bowl and pitcher. I’ll
     be back shortly,” Sophia said with calm command.
    All three males watched with varying degrees of astonishment as she confidently strode
     from the room.
    “Christ’s blood,” Mouse swore, leaning the poker against the brick then letting out
     a weary sigh. “I’d forgotten what women were like.”
    Surprised, Nicholas laughed, the lingering tension of his time in the kitchen with
     Sophia melting away. He beckoned the boy to come forward. “We’ve our orders.”
    The