Her voice was heavy with sleep when she answered. “That’s good.”

   “It is?”

   “Mmm, I like having your marks on me.”

   He couldn’t ask her anything else because within seconds she was snoring softly. He kissed her forehead and decided to rest a bit himself. His eyes closed and he drifted into sleep with the feel of her breath hot against his chest and her fingers entwined with his.

Chapter Seven

   The following morning, the men went off together to the town pub, leaving the ladies time to talk. The three of them discussed going somewhere, but they eventually decided they’d rather stay at the estate and do some exploring.

   Though they planned to hit the attic, they ended up lingering over the breakfast Daniel had made.

   Sasha took a bite of the eggs Benedict and hummed in pleasure. “I love, love, love eggs Benedict. This is delicious. I’ll have to thank Daniel again. It’s almost good enough to make me want to cook.”

   The only thing she ever made in the kitchen was coffee. Fortunately, due to the time he spent in remote locations for work, Cole handled meals just fine.

   “You know,” Abby said, “if you’re ever interested in learning to cook, I have a few easy recipes I could show you.”

   “I did the easy thing once before on Julie’s recommendation. I spent three hours peeling and dicing carrots.” She shot her best friend an evil look. “I almost lost a thumb and my fingers were orange for days.”

   Julie rolled her eyes. “Oh my God. Drama much? Maybe next time it would be a good idea to read the recipe before ordering the meal kit online?”

   “I did. It said ‘Easy to prepare. Ready to eat in 30 minutes.’”

   “Obviously they meant for someone who knew how to boil water.”

   “I know how to boil water: in the microwave.”

   “You’re worthless.”

   “Only when it comes to cooking. I’m brilliant at everything else.”

   “You also have a big head.”

   “As one who is brilliant at everything other than cooking rightfully would.”

   Julie flipped her off.

   Abby shook her head. “Your shop must never be boring with you two in it.”

   “It’s boring as hell. Julie put a no-kinky-sex-talk rule in place.”

   “For all the good it does.” Julie huffed.

   “I’ll make you a deal,” Sasha said. “I’ll never mention sex in the shop again if you can tell me, honestly, that you and Daniel have never had a quickie there.”

   “Honey. Trust me.” Julie placed her hand on top of Sasha’s. “There was nothing quick about it.”

   They were still laughing when the doorbell rang, minutes later.

   Abby looked over to Sasha. “Are you expecting someone?”

   “No, and Cole didn’t mention anything, either.” She pushed back from the table. “I’ll go see who it is.”

   Julie and Abby followed her to the front door. This was something she didn’t like about the house, she decided. There wasn’t a way to see who was at the door unless you went upstairs or into another room.

   She pulled it open and found a smiling Mary Catherine on the other side.

   Or course, that smile disappeared quickly once she saw Sasha. “Oh,” she said. “It’s you. Is Cole around?” She craned her neck as if Sasha was hiding him behind her back.

   “No, he’s stepped out for a bit, but I’ll be sure to tell him you stopped by.” She moved to close the door, but Mary Catherine stuck her foot out.

   “I’ll just wait here for him.”

   Damn it all. She really didn’t want Mary Catherine in the house, but to put her out would reflect badly upon Cole and there was no way she’d do that. Besides, the woman really hadn’t done anything to Sasha, if you didn’t count cock-blocking her, ignoring her, and telling her she was selfish for not wanting kids.

   She gave Mary Catherine a curt nod and opened the door wider to let her pass. “Suit yourself.”

   The other woman came to a stop when she saw Julie and Abby standing nearby.

   “Abby. Julie,” Sasha said. “This is Mary Cathrine. She knows Cole from when he was a kid.”

   “Delighted,” Mary Catherine said, but didn’t make a move to shake their hands or anything. “Though it was a little more serious than that. Why, we were practically engaged!”

   “Engaged, my ass,” Sasha mumbled.

   Across the massive foyer, Abby had a peculiar look on her face. “Really? That’s interesting.”

   Though Abby was as friendly and down-to-earth as one could be, she was Nathaniel West’s wife and she had a certain presence about her. It wasn’t always obvious, but now, as she stood and carefully observed Mary Catherine, she looked almost regal.

   Mary Catherine certainly noticed. She flushed and started wringing her hands. “Yes, but he went off to university in the States and, well, things happen.”

   Abby raised an eyebrow.

   “I met my ex-husband and by the time Cole came back and enrolled at Oxford, I was married. I wish I had waited for him. That we could have had the large family he always wanted.” Mary Catherine shot Sasha an evil look.

   “Cole wants a large family?” Abby asked, somehow managing to keep her expression neutral. Sasha was impressed. She noticed Julie had to cough into the crook of her elbow to cover her laugh.

   “Yes.” Mary Catherine nodded. “It’s his fondest dream.”

   “And yet he doesn’t have a single child,” Abby said. “What a travesty.”