"You're welcome." Jared glanced at the tall clock. "Now, if you do not mind, I have several appointments which must be kept this morning."
"Of course." Demetria smiled wryly and rose to her feet. "We would not wish to impose further on your busy schedule, my lord."
"No, indeed." Constance looked amused. She inclined her head gracefully at Olympia. "Good day to you, madam."
"Good day," Olympia said. She waited until Demetria and Constance had taken their leave and then she nodded to Robert.
Robert flushed and looked at Jared. "Sir, if you do not mind, my brothers and I have a gift we would like to present to you."
"A gift?" Jared's brows rose in surprise. "What is it?"
Robert removed a small box from his pocket, took two steps toward the desk, and handed it to Jared. "It is not nearly as beautiful as the one you used to ransom me, sir, but we hope you will like it."
"There's an inscription on the inside," Hugh volunteered eagerly. "Aunt Olympia had the jeweler put it there."
Ethan elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut your mouth, you bloody idiot. He ain't even opened the box yet."
Jared slowly opened the box and studied the contents. A suspenseful silence filled the room.
Jared stood gazing down at the new watch for a long time.
Then, very carefully, he removed it from the box and examined the inscription. " 'To a most excellent tutor.' " When he looked up there was an odd brilliance in his gaze. "You are wrong, Robert. It is far more beautiful than the one I gave to the villain who kidnapped you. I thank all of you very much."
"Do you really like it?" Ethan asked.
"It is the nicest gift anyone has given me since I was a boy," Jared said quietly. "In fact, I believe it is the only gift anyone has given me since I was seventeen."
Robert, Ethan, and Hugh grinned at each other. It was all Olympia could do to keep from bursting into tears.
Jared broke the mood by slipping his new watch into his pocket. He looked at the boys. "Now, then," he said crisply, "I do believe it is time for your next scheduled activity."
"What is that, sir?" Robert asked with a doubtful expression. "I do hope it is not Latin."
"No, it is not Latin." Jared smiled. "Mrs. Bird is expecting you in the kitchen for tea and cakes."
"Very good, sir," Robert exclaimed.
Hugh laughed with glee. He bobbed a quick bow. "I say, I'm rather hungry. I hope there are gingerbread cakes."
"I hope there are currant cakes," Ethan said as he made his bow.
"I would rather have plum cakes," Robert said thoughtfully. He swept Olympia a graceful bow and followed his brothers from the room.
Jared looked at Olympia. "I had begun to fear that we would never find ourselves alone this morning."
"It has been a trifle hectic around here, has it not, my lord?" Olympia searched his face. "Are you quite certain you do not wish to go with the others to search for the lost treasure?"
"Absolutely certain, madam." Jared removed his coat and dropped it on the back of a chair. Then he went to the door. "I have better things to do than go haring off after a treasure that I do not need."
"What sort of things, my lord?" Olympia watched him turn the key in the lock.
He walked deliberately back toward her, his gaze gleaming with a smoldering desire. "Making love to my wife is at the top of my list."
He swept Olympia into his arms and started toward the sofa.
Olympia wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "But, Mr. Chillhurst, what about your appointments for the day? This sort of thing will make a hash of your schedule."
"Hang my appointments, madam. A man of my nature cannot be a slave to routine."
Olympia's soft laughter was swallowed up by her pirate's plundering kiss.
About the Author
Amanda Quick, who also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz, is a best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. There are nearly 20 million copies of her books in print. She feels that the romance novel is a vital and compelling element in the world of women's fiction. She adds that something about historical romance, in particular, defines the very word "romance."
Amanda Quick makes her home in the Northwest with her husband, Frank.