“Willow, it seems we both need a bath,” she whispered to the dog. Then realized she had said the word bath aloud in front of a man, a virtual stranger, seated across from her.Fiddlesticks!If Mrs. Allen were there, she’d scold her for certain. “My apologies, Mr. Kerr.”
He laughed. It reminded her of dark, rich honey. That is, if dark, rich honey had a sound, it would sound like Mr. Kerr’s laughter. There was something both comforting and exciting about this man—something she’d never noticed about other gentlemen she’d met.
“It’s quite all right,” he said. “And please, call me Julian.”
“Only if you agree to call me Serafina,” she said, feeling the butterflies flutter once more.
CHAPTER 2
From the moment Julian noticed that shapely bottom hanging over the edge of the club’s ash pit, offering a piece of “juicy meat” to something he couldn’t see, he fought the urge to take her in his arms and pull her close. When she shifted, trying to stretch farther into the pit, it sent physical awareness everywhere, and he quickly buttoned his long coat, even though it was an unusually warm November day, which only made him even more uncomfortable.
Serafina Davies had the most beautiful strawberry blonde hair and doe-like, chocolate brown eyes that could draw the heart and soul of a man. As she stood there, holding that small, injured, and frightened puppy, something inside him melted. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met—smiling, unconcerned by bits of wilted vegetables adorning her hair, willing to risk whatever it took to save the puppy.
Julian MacAllister, the fifth Duke of Strathmoor, had arrived only yesterday in Bath, seeking to revive his flagging spirits after suffering the loss of his family, to whom he’d always been close. At the urging of Sean, his estate manager, Julian had traveled incognito as Mr. Julian Kerr, adopting his mother’s maiden name, to Bath. He hoped time and distance would clear hishead and heart and prepare him for the responsibilities of the dukedom he had inherited.
“Your Grace, the town of Bath might be a good place to spend some time. It is quiet compared to London but still offers many diversions. It’s the perfect place to relax,” Sean had said. “No one will recognize you; probably, no one has even heard of you. I’ll rent a small townhouse, not too far from the one you own. You can maintain your privacy, but at the same time, access anything—should you need it—from the ducal mansion. The smaller, nondescript carriage will be housed at the rented space. It will allow you to come and go as you please.”
“It seems you’ve thought of everything,”Julian had said. His manager had instinctively known that Julian would not have wanted to stay at the ducal mansion that his parents had purchased two years ago but had never been able to use.
“I’ve tried to anticipate your needs, Your Grace. I’ve also spoken to your valet, cook, and butler, and they will travel separately. Since there’ll be nofunctions here while you’re gone, their assistants will manage fine at Strathmoor.”
Julian had written Sean last night to let him know he’d arrived and that all was well and had just left the missive with the club’s head footman, when he came upon Miss Davies rescuing Willow.
“I like the name Willow,” he said. “I’ve never heard it used for a name, but it’s quite unique. And it gives the impression of strength. A willow tree bends with the breeze but has a core of strength.”
“That’s a wonderful way to think of the name. Thank you, Mr. Kerr.”
“Please, call me Julian,” he reminded her.
“Yes…Julian. And I’ve always liked that name, too,” she said, smiling up at him. “Willow is a name I love but never had the right occasion to use it. To me, it should belong to someonegiving yet strong and able to deal with the blows life gives them,” Serafina said, smiling, and tugging the puppy closer. “You are Willow, beautiful one.”
The puppy gently licked her chin, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Goodness! I’d love to kiss the sweet baby, but I’m a bit worried about what I might end up kissing—besides her adorable fur. Just thinking about that ash bin makes me shudder—full of rotting food, ashes, and refuse from the club’s kitchen. I really hope she didn’t nibble on anything that could upset her digestion.”
Julian gave a hearty laugh. “Those are valid concerns. Like you, I’d have to restrain myself, too.”
She laughed. “As it is, I’ll probably have to burn this dress because of it—and it was one of my favorites. But you are worth it, little one. Once Willow has a bath, I’ll make up for all those missing kisses. You are a sweet one. I’ll see what we can work out for you…but first you’ll have to impress the duchesses.”
“I believe we have arrived,” Julian said as the carriage rolled to a halt.
Serafina shifted the bedraggled puppy in her arms. “Thirty-five Brock Street. I’m home—well…my aunts’ home. The Golden Duchesses.”
Julian stepped down beside her, taking in the elegant limestone façade. “I’ve always loved Georgian architecture. Useful to understand it when one paints houses worth remembering.”
Serafina opened her mouth to reply when the front door opened, and a tall, narrow man with a nose like a hawk took one sniff of the air around them and retreated a full pace.
“Good afternoon, Miss Davies,” he managed, nostrils quivering.
“Good afternoon, Charles. This is Mr. Julian Kerr—an artist who helped me rescue this little one. I’ve named her Willow. Are my aunts at home?”
“Indeed, miss,” Charles said, twitching again. “The duchesses are taking tea in the drawing room.”
Serafina turned to Julian. “Mr. Kerr—might you have time to meet them?”
Charles coughed pointedly. Serafina winced. “Oh dear. I did it again. Charles, forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it, miss,” he said kindly. “I shall remain here with Mr. Kerr, while you speak to your aunts first.”
But Serafina didn’t take a single step before a regal voice floated down the hall.
