He would make certain of it.
Smiling down at his bride, he added, “Conley will be pleased and you’ll no’ be troubled by our shadow cat.”
Melissa glanced at the jumble of large rocks beside the gate, indeed seeing the famous lion face.
“I see Conley,” she said, her gaze still on the stones. “He’s quite clearly defined.”
“Indeed, he is,” Lucian agreed. “He’s guarded Lyongate for centuries.”
“Him, too?”
“Who?” Lucian puzzled as he followed her gaze.
His eyes rounded when he saw a large gray cat sitting on Conley’s head.
Not a fleeting shadow at all, but a real flesh-and-fur cat who was staring at him in the same way the big gray cat at Farmer Steckles’ Frogbottom Cottage had done.
In fact, Lucian would swear it was the same cat.
“I’ll be damned,” he said, chills sweeping him.
“What’s wrong?” His bride gripped his arm, looking worried. “You’ve blanched.”
“I am fine,” he assured her, his mind racing. “It is just-”
“You know we will be adopting that cat?” Melissa beamed at him. “My mind is set.”
“That I already know,” he said, his amazement growing as the cat hopped down from Conley’s head and strolled over to them, looking as at home and happy about it as his new lady wife.
“I’ll be damned,” he said again as the cat began winding in and out of their legs, purring.
“Strange things do happen in these hills,” he added, shaking his head.
“That be true!” Budge rocked back on his heels, grinning. “And I almost forgot your wedding gifts.”
Lucian glanced at Melissa, then back to the steward. “You shouldn’t have troubled yourself, Budge. Our pleasure is being home now. That is enough.”
“Nae, nae.” The steward shook his head. “The gifts aren’t from me. A little old woman delivered them the other day,” he announced. “Strange old bird she was, too. Black-garbed and all twinkly-eyed as she just appeared at the door, handing over two animal woodcarvings, saying they were for you and your lady.”
“Woodcarvings?” Lucian and Melissa spoke as one.
“Aye, and right fine ones,” Budge said. “A beautiful but clearly aged horse for your bride, and for you-”
“A badger,” Lucian said, sure of it,
“Aye, just!” Budge yelled, his answer giving Lucian another rash of chills.
But good ones, he couldn’t deny.
“Tell me, Budge…” He glanced again at his bride. “Did the old woman’s boots have red-plaid laces?”
The steward’s brows swooped low. “How should I know, laddie? Think ye I’d raise the skirts of a woman so old?”
Lucian laughed, sure that was so.
He also knew the answer to his question.
And if his beautiful bride’s smile meant anything, so did she.
