He sent her one of those looks that made her stomach flip. “I see you,” he said softly. “I see a woman who is brave and headstrong and secretly rebellious. I see a woman who is witty and clever, and who doesn’t go fainting all over the place or falling into hysterics at the drop of a hat.”

Georgie felt heat climb into her cheeks at his sincere flattery. How far they’d come from the two strangers who had married in Newgate.

“You know, there are already bets in the Tricorn’s betting book about the arrival of my son and heir in nine months’ time,” Benedict whispered. He laughed as her cheeks flamed even hotter.

“That is not the case!” she whispered back. Her monthly courses had arrived on schedule last week; Benedict’s lapse in control had not resulted in a baby. Georgie had been surprised to find herself rather disappointed by that. “They’ll lose their money.”

He sent her his pirate’s smile. “Ah, but that’s assuming I can keep my hands off you between now and the wedding. I’m not sure I can, Mrs. Wylde. And besides, would it really be so bad? I’d love to give you children. If that’s what you want.”

Georgie’s heart stuttered, and she gave him a radiant, breathless smile. “I’d like that very much indeed, Mr. Wylde.”

“God, don’t look at me like that in public,” he groaned. “I want to ravish you on the spot. Please tell me Lady Ashton has a pagoda or a library we can sneak off to.”

“Behave. I’ll come to the Tricorn later, and you can show me all manner of depraved acts.”

He sent her a hard glare. “Fine. In that case, distract me.”

She laughed. Teasing him was so much fun. “All right. Did I tell you that I received a letter from Captain Moore? The Lady Alice arrived safely at Boston harbor. Cousin Josiah has apparently resigned himself to his fate during the voyage and indicated his decision to find himself a rich American heiress.”

“That sounds about right,” Benedict said scornfully. “It’s just like him to look for the easy way out. Heaven forbid he should actually work for a living. Let’s hope the ladies of Boston are as discerning as their English counterparts.”

“Since we’re exchanging news,” he continued, “instead of doing debauched things to one another, I should report that Seb and Alex tracked down Tom Johnstone. He’s currently in debtor’s prison, awaiting trial. Seb says he’s writing a book about his adventures.”

“And what about O’Meara?”