“But, me darlin’⁠—”

“And I wish to get off your knee.” He drew her close.

“I’ll see what can be done for your protégé, Molly. But don’t be forgetting he tried to kill the only husband you have!” He watched the effect of this with that humorous twinkle in his eye. But my lady was not to be put off.

“With an empty pistol? Fie on you, Miles! And may I hide behind the screen while you question him?”

“Ye may not.”

“But I wish so much to see him!”

O’Hara shook his head with an air of finality she knew full well. However easygoing and good-natured her husband might be, there were times when he was impervious to all blandishments. So after darkly hinting that she would be nearer than he imagined, she gave up the contest to go and visit young Master David in his nursery.