Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight Read Online Free PDF Page B

dawdled for two days. In those two days, he visited regularly with Lady Opie, scribbled off several notes to his London house steward, rode out with his land steward, called on his tenants—again—and otherwise put off a journey he did not want to make.
    But had to. His peculiar discussion with Louisa Windham had stuck in Joseph’s mind like the proverbial burr under his saddle. Until he’d spoken the words aloud to her—he required a wife—the need hadn’t been exactly pressing, though it had been nagging. Now, like a sore tooth, it seemed never to leave his awareness.
    â€œWhen will you be back?”
    Amanda, scrambling around on his lap, made the last word into a whine of at least five syllables. “Baa-aaa-aaa-aaa-cck?”
    â€œYes, Papa.” Fleur clutched his riding jacket in grubby little mitts and started scaling his left knee. “ When will you be back?”
    â€œI do not recall inviting either of you to roost upon my person.” Though there they were, each plunked down on her territory of choice, and each smelling of soap, lavender, and something else—mischief perhaps.
    â€œYou always go away,” Amanda opined. “But if you didn’t go away, you’d never come see us at all anymore.”
    Fleur chimed right in with the chorus. “You used to tuck us in.”
    â€œYou used to be infants. Quiet little things who neither slid down banisters nor begged a man for ponies the livelong day.”
    Amanda turned big brown eyes on him. “You could bring us ponies for Christmas. We’ve been ever so good.”
    â€œWe have,” Fleur concurred. “Nurse hasn’t needed her salts since Monday!”
    â€œAllow me to point out that it’s Tuesday morning.” Joseph gently stopped Fleur from putting her thumb in her mouth. “Don’t get your hopes up that I’ll bring you ponies for Christmas. You’re both too young, and winter is no time to learn to ride.”
    Fleur’s chin jutted in an unbecoming manner. “If we were boys, we’d have ponies by now.”
    Amanda nodded vigorously, dark curls bouncing. “Fleur is right. If we were boys, you’d listen to our lessons.”
    â€œIf you were boys, you could inherit a damned title.”
    The words were out, muttered, but far too inappropriate for tender ears to have missed a single syllable.
    â€œPapa said damn .” Fleur slapped her hand over her mouth as if to hold back her giggles. “ Damn is a bad word. We’re not supposed to say damn , or damn it, or God damn it to hell, or—”
    â€œCease.” Joseph wrapped an arm around her to put his much-larger hand over her mouth. He was outnumbered, though, and Amanda started up immediately.
    â€œOr bloody damn or damn and blast. If we were boys, you’d teach us how to swear and even belch, and we’d know how to far—”
    He ended up with two little girls wiggling off his lap, their giggles cascading behind them as they scampered a few feet away.
    â€œEnough, the both of you.” He rose to his full height and scowled down at them. “This is no way to earn anything but a lump of coal in your stocking. When I return from Town, I’ll expect perfect deportment from each of you, glowing reports from the maids and Miss Hodges both, and no more of this riot and insurrection.”
    They quieted immediately at his tone, their smiles turning to looks of uncertainty aimed at him and then at each other.
    Joseph felt again that sinking in his middle that suggested he was not fit to parent these children—not fit in the least—much less another dozen whom he saw only on occasion.
    He went down on one knee, unable to tolerate the possibility that those uncertain looks would degenerate into quivering chins and—he shuddered at the very notion—a double spate of female tears. “Give me a farewell kiss, and I’ll be on my way. Say your