“I had not known that you own a dog.”
Again, he chuckled. “Yes, well, Max also belonged to Totten, as well as a cat named Cal, and they were left to me as well.”
“The former viscount must have been very fond of you.” Such gifts were given to family members—heirs, not solicitors.
“Or he disliked me because the two of them are quite set on destroying my belongings and keeping my clothing covered in hair.”
For the first time since Max had knocked her down, Lavinia found herself recovering from the surprise and almost smiled. “I assume his son did not want to take them either.”
“No.”
He glanced about. “Did the rest of your family join you?”
“I came to Seaford on my own.”
Demetrius pulled back in surprise. “His Grace allowed you to do so? I was under the impression that he could not do without you.”
That was the opinion of many since she had returned home. “Leopold has no idea. That foolish man decided to drive his cabriolet, of all conveyances, from Clarington Abbey in Westmorland all the way to Kent. He will likely freeze before he arrives.” Her brother was usually not so foolish, but there was no arguing with him, and if he came down with an illness, she could only hope he survived because the spare, Crispin, would be quite displeased to become the Duke of Claybrook.
“Why would he do so?”
“Likely because he did not want to be stuck in a carriage with our younger siblings.”
“Is that why you are here?”
“I have my own reasons,” she answered then realized that her tone was colder than she had intended. “I decided that a holiday for myself was just what I needed.”
“A holiday in Seaford?” he questioned.
“Yes, at Sea View.” She gestured back to the cottage.
His warm brown eyes widened ever so slightly. “I had forgotten your family owned the property.”
“I am not surprised. There is no reason to mention it, hardly anyone ever visits and there has been no cause for us to argue about this particular property.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I prefer to call our disagreements lively discourse.”
Lavinia tried not to smile, but there was something so very likeable about Mr. Valentine and she always looked forward to his visits.
“I will not keep you.” He nodded. “I hope you enjoy your stay and I will try my best to keep Max away.”
“I do not mind big dogs,” she quickly answered though not certain why she felt compelled to say anything. “I simply prefer warning so that I might brace myself before a boisterous greeting.”
“Again, I apologize.”
“No harm was done,” she answered, though her bum was a bit sore from landing on the stone terrace, but that was too personal to mention to Mr. Valentine.
“Did your family join you?” she asked before he could walk away. If she recalled correctly, he had several siblings.
“I, too, am alone for Christmas. I felt the need to leave London for peace and quiet and…”
“And?” she questioned when he did not complete his answer.
“It is nothing,” he dismissed. “I thought it would be good to be somewhere else.”
Much like her.
“Then I shall not bother you so that you can enjoy your peace,” she offered.
