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‘I spoke to him briefly before we came in,’ Brent said. ‘He informs me that your wife is a handful. But when I questioned him further, he became as closemouthed as a clam. I fear he’s shifted his loyalty to your little one there. He is, I suppose one would say, firmly in her pocket.’
Saint didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t even want to think about it, at least not this evening. ‘Does Byrony have any more nausea in the mornings?’ he asked.
Brent arched a questioning brow, but allowed the shift in topic. ‘No, she informs me she’s healthy as I am, but fatter. You don’t expect any problems, Saint?’
Saint did, but he didn’t say anything. No sense in making Brent worry. If the child grew large, Byrony would have difficulties, for her pelvis was narrower than Jules’s. ‘No problems,’ he said aloud. ‘Just make certain I’m around a couple of days before she’s due to deliver.’
‘We’ll be settled in Wakeville for the winter. You don’t mind trekking down? You’ll stay with us as our guest. Jules also, of course.’
‘That would be fine. And don’t worry, Brent.’
‘If you insist. Incidentally, Maggie was telling me that Jules – ‘
Saint raised his hand. ‘No, I don’t want to
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hear it. I’ve already been informed. I intend to speak to Maggie tomorrow. Now, let’s join the ladies and masterful, romantic Thomas.’
To her profound surprise, Penelope found that she was enjoying herself. Certainly the fact that Thomas squeezed her hand in a meaningful way occasionally under the table made her smile, but she hadn’t imagined that she would actually enjoy having dinner with a gambler and a girl from Maui and a doctor. And a pregnant lady!
4 … and then Limpin’Willie told me that he returned the hundred dollars to the man’s pocket and sent him on his way,’ Saint said. ‘He told me the fellow had one of my bandages on his arm. Thought I’d be upset if he did him in after I’d fixed him up.’
He paused a moment to let the laughter die down.
‘I think you should run for mayor, Saint,’ Byrony said. ‘You would gain more votes than any man in the history of San Francisco.’
‘Saint,’Thomas said, sitting forward in his chair, ‘tell us the story about Napoleon and his one experience with a cathartic.’
‘In front of the ladies., Thomas? And I believe you’ve already told it. Needless to say, he refused any further treatment of that sort.’ ‘What’s a cathartic?’ Penelope asked.
‘The opposite of an emetic,’Thomas said,
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hooting with laughter. ‘Thomas!’ ‘Yes, Pen?’ Thomas asked, his face as
innocent and guileless as his sister’s was when she wanted to fool Thackery, Saint thought. Which evidently she had. She hadn’t spoken one word directly to him all evening. He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to yell at her and shake her. He wanted … Oh no, you damned randy bastard! Not that, not again.
He sat back and pretended to listen to Brent describe their progress at Wakeville. Lydia’s roast beef sat like leather in his stomach, as had her attempt at Yorkshire pudding. He sipped at his wine, his gaze going to his wife’s face.
What the hell was he going to do with her? He’d hurt her badly, but that didn’t excuse her recent behavior. He supposed he would have to speak with Thackery, have the man keep a closer eye on her.
‘Michael?’ He was jerked out of his fog. ‘What?’ he said, turning to Jules.
‘The ladies will be in the parlor,’ she said, rising. He quickly stepped to her side and politely held her chair. She didn’t look at him.
‘We won’t be long,’ Saint said. qql
Another two hours passed before they were alone. Thomas left to drive Penelope home, and Brent, his voice light and amusing, claimed his fat wife needed her rest, which gained him Byrony’s elbow in his ribs.
Saint said without preamble, ‘I want to talk to you, Jules.’
‘I’m tired,’ she said, moving toward the parlor door. ‘I’m going to bed. You know, Michael, it’s that rather large piece of furniture up in the bedroom. Good night.’ ‘Jules!’