“Oh?” His mysterious tone intrigued her.
“Ignatius is still there.”
The thought of the comical little pug lightened the weight of worry on her heart. “But I thought he belonged to Mrs. Sykesbury?”
“He did, but she feared she would be unable to control him in the country, since she had little or no control over him here in town.” Matthew resettled his footing and appeared to be uncomfortable aboutsomething.
“What else are you not telling me?” Fortuity eyed him, bracing herself for the worst possible news, such as Eleanor returning to live with them.
He frowned and shuffled in place again. “I had thought about how quiet the townhouse would be for you, what with your sisters and Grace’s hounds here. I spoke with Thorne about it, and he and his mother recommended that I take in four of their liveliest kittens—which I did before I found out that infernal dog would be staying put.”
“Four kittens and Ignatius?” Fortuity tried not to laugh, but she couldn’t help it. “And how do the five get along?”
“They stampede the halls at all hours of the night and sleep during the day.” He swiped a hand across his eyes, then pinched the bridge of his nose as if weary beyond all comprehension. “I have not had a proper night’s sleep in ages.”
She couldn’t resist giving him a sympathetic pat on the chest. “Never fear, my lord. I shall get them sorted, and if I am forced to call reinforcements, Gracie would be delighted to help. You know how she loves Ignatius.”
He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers before she realized what he was about to do. “I know you will get them sorted, my little wren. The townhouse already seems a brighter and better place because you will soon be there with me.”
She caught her breath, and a little gasp escaped her before she could stop it. “Uhm, perhaps we should go inside? They cannot start the breakfast without us.”
His smile dimmed the slightest bit, but he nodded and offered his arm. “To our wedding breakfast, my bride.”
“Yes,” she said, finding herself still somewhat breathless. “To our wedding breakfast.”
Chapter Nine
Fortuity had spokenvery little during the carriage ride and seemed apprehensive as he helped her step down. Matthew kept hold of her hand as she eyed Ravenglass Townhouse before ascending the steps to the front door. A slight breeze tugged at her curls, making them dance and shimmer like liquid gold in the sunshine of the unseasonably warm spring day.
“You are beautiful, Fortuity,” he said on impulse. “Absolutely stunning.”
Her gaze dropped, and her cheeks flushed with color. “Matthew,” she said in a softly scolding tone.
“What?”
“You don’t have to say such things.” She gently eased her hand free, caught hold of her skirts, and started to climb the front stairs.
He blocked her way and cupped her chin in his palm, tilting her face upward. “I say such things not only because they are true, but because I feel them in my heart.”
She watched him, visibly weighing his sincerity. He felt her judgment of him sway betweenis he good?andis he evil?
“Then thank you for the compliment,” she replied with a slight caginess before quirking a brow. “Might we enter our home now?”
“Indeed.” He offered his arm, relaxing at her tone’s slight shift to a teasing lilt. “Brace yourself for the menagerie.”
As they reached the door, it opened, revealing the servants lining the front hall and standing at attention to greet the new lady of the house. The beaming Mrs. Greer stood at the head of the line, bouncing in place in her excitement at welcoming Fortuity to her new home.
“There she be,” the jolly housekeeper crowed while clapping her hands. “Welcome home, Lady Fortuity.”
Fortuity rushed to hug her. “Thank you, Mrs. Greer. How thoughtful of all of you to greet me. Thank you all.”
The servants smiled and bowed, then a thunderous pounding resounded from the stairway.
“Here they come,” Matthew said with a groan.
Two half-grown kittens, both of them solid black with white bibs and paws, were in the lead, followed by Ignatius and two more half-grown kittens, one of them a ginger tabby and the other a solid white feline with a long, fluffy tail. While the dog happily barked and yipped at them, the cats playfully flattened their ears, bowed their backs, and alternately danced sideways and swatted at him while scampering around and over him with amazing speed and agility as they all descended the steps.
“Ignatius! Heel!” Matthew pointed at the floor to his left.
