“Ohhh…I can’t allow that remark to pass love. I shall have to disprove it.” He gave the door a nudge with his boot until it shut, then headed for the stairs.
“Desiree!” a voiced called after them.
Stephen stopped on the stairs and with a growl, swung around with Desiree in his arms, looking down the flight to Bridgett.
“I am putting Victoria in a bath. Ariel Celeste will be waking from her nap soon and…”
“Don’t say another word Bridgett.” Stephen warned, “Madame Colter and I will be in a private conference for some time. Hold the fort for us, will you?”
Bridgett laughed softly, “Yes Sir.”
Stephen nodded, bounding up the steps and Desiree nuzzled his neck, sighing contentedly, “Victoria and Ariel shall be pounding upon the door in no time Stephen.”
“I know.”
“And little Daniel shall need feeding soon…”
“I know! I know!” he grumbled, “Well—perhaps I shall have to be contented with…”
“A match of chess?” Desiree offered with a laugh.
“Chess?” Stephen asked with a chuckle. “I was thinking more along the lines of…”
“Winner take all!” Desiree interrupted seductively, with a gentle nibble at his ear lobe.
“You’re on! Payable on demand?”
“Oh…When time allows.” Desiree giggled.
Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Epilogue