Page 40 of The Duke's Only Desire

“For now, anyway.”

Cold warning prickled her skin, and she caught herself before a shudder gripped her.

“Foralways,” Shay corrected as he strode into the room unannounced, yanking off his leather riding gloves as he came. He stopped at her side and leaned over to place a kiss to her temple. “This will always be our home, won’t it, Sophie?”

“Of course!” Malcolm waved his hand as if to correct himself. “I was referring to all the other Malvern properties, as well as the London townhouse. Eventually, you’ll visit all of them, I’m certain.”

Shay’s lips quirked at that, but instead of commenting, he turned his attention to Sophie. “I see you’ve met my wife, Sophie. Sophie—” He squeezed her hand as it dangled at her side. “—my Uncle Malcolm.”

“We’ve been having a lovely conversation,” Malcolm interjected, offering Sophie a wide smile that did nothing to put her at ease. If anything, it only increased the chill snaking down her spine.

“Yes, Lord Malcolm,” she agreed. “Quite interesting.”

“Please—call me Uncle Malcolm. I insist.”

Oh, she wanted to smack him!

As if Shay sensed the tension between them, he gestured at the hall. “Shall we go to the study, Uncle? A case of Martell arrived while I was in London, straight from Cognac. I’m certain you’d welcome a drink by the fire after your long trip.”

“I would. The journey was damnably freezing.” He gave an exaggerated shiver that left Sophie staring. “But I couldn’t stay at home. I wanted to meet my new niece too much to wait.”

When Shay began to lead him out of the room, casting a knowing glance back at Sophie, Malcolm stopped and made a show of making a deep bow to her with a wide sweep of his arm, one that would have done Queen Charlotte justice.

“Duchess.” Then he stepped forward to take Sophie’s hands and give them a squeeze. “Sophie. My dear, I offer you a warm welcome to the family!”

Her mouth fell open, speechless, as she watched him follow Shay out of the drawing room.