He remained standing where he was. “It was not my intent to frighten you, Lady Lily.”
“No, I realize that your hands are filled with the cat. It’s unlikely that you intended to accost me or damage my reputation.”
Matthew took a step closer to her and set the cat down. Without asking permission, he held out her glove and took her bare hand. Slowly, he slid it over her fingers, then kept her hand in his. The air between them seemed to grow warmer, and her hazel eyes flared with heat. He held her hand a moment, and the cat slid between them, rubbing his head against their legs.
And when Lily smiled at him, the ground beneath his feet seemed to crumble.
The next morning, Lily was startled to learn that Matthewhad, in fact, stayed with the dog. She opened the study and found him sitting beside the animal, stroking his fur.
“I didn’t expect you to stay,” she admitted. “I suppose there will be talk, won’t there?” For him to stay overnight at the house, even with her brother at home, was quite a scandal.
“Only if you tell them,” he said. He rose and stretched by the fire, and she was caught by the outline of his body against the linen shirt. His skin still held a deep tan from the India sun, and she longed to touch it. Lily didn’t know what was the matter with her, but she could not deny the attraction to Matthew. It had not dissipated even a little, over the years, despite all that had happened. She turned away to force back the unbidden feelings.
“How is the dog?” she inquired. “Was he in a great deal of pain?”
“I think he had enough laudanum to knock him senseless. I don’t recall him whimpering very much, once we both went to sleep.” Matthew went to stand before her, and she saw that the dog was breathing easier.
“I’ve asked Dr. Fraser to come and look in on him,” she admitted. “I know he’s only a dog, but I want to be sure I set his leg properly.”
Last night, for the first time in her life, she had felt such pride in taking care of the dog. She hadn’t thought about her inexperience or lack of knowledge, but had charged forward, wanting to help the animal.
“He looks better,” Matthew answered. As if in response, the dog yawned and tried to get up from the hearth. He avoidedputting much weight on the broken leg and slumped back on the blanket, his tail wagging.
“He’ll need more laudanum,” Lily said. “I’ll put some in his breakfast. But only a little.” She decided to start him with a meat broth, not knowing how much food he could handle, if any.
The dog attempted to stand once again, but swayed on his feet. He sniffed at the rug, in spite of the muzzle, as if searching for food. Lily rang for a servant. “He may be hungry, but I don’t want him to eat too quickly.”
The door swung open, and James joined them. “I see you disregarded my wishes, Arnsbury.”
Lily couldn’t quite read her brother’s mood, but she stepped toward him. “James, there was no harm done. He slept with the dog, and that was all.”
A hint of amusement crossed her brother’s face. “A fitting bedmate, I should think.”
Matthew stared back at James. “I could say something, but we are in the presence of your sister, and it would not be appropriate. For now, I’ll say only that you should cease the derisive remarks.” Though his tone was stern, she saw the twinkle in his eyes that mirrored her brother’s humor.
The footman arrived after a minute, and Lily ordered the meat broth for the dog, along with warm water, towels, and soap. To the men, she added, “You can both have breakfast in the dining room. I want to stay with the dog and clean his wounds again.”
“I’ll remain here,” Matthew responded. “You couldn’t lift that dog if you wanted to.”
He was right about that. Even though the animal was thin and starved, he was still about seven or eight stone in weight. “Very well. You may stay.”
“If he stays, thenIintend to stay,” James intervened. He ordered the footman to bring breakfast into the study. “We may as well dine here together.”
The dog limped unsteadily closer to Matthew, still sniffing the floor. Lily was about to ask him to lift the dog back to the desk, when the animal cocked his leg and relieved himself on Matthew’s ankle.
“What on earth?” He rolled his eyes in disgust. “After the night we spent together, you would do this?”
James was howling with laughter. “Oh God, that’s the best dog I’ve ever seen. Lily, you have my approval if you wish to keep him.”
She glared at her brother. “Go and fetch Matthew a pair of trousers to replace these.” To Matthew, she added, “I’m so sorry. We should have taken him out and…I suppose he couldn’t hold it.”
After James left, the dog limped under the desk and lay down, as if ashamed of himself. Matthew sighed and leaned against the desk. “I liked that dog until now.”
“He didn’t mean anything,” Lily insisted. “You must know it was only an accident.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head. “Accident or not, I suppose my clothes are ruined and it hardly matters what happens now.” He crossed the room and lifted the dog into his arms. The animal squirmed, and when Matthew set him down on the desk, the dog whined.
“Thank you,” Lily said. “I want to check his wounds again to be certain I didn’t miss anything. And he may likely need another bath.”
