“In case I needed to defend myself.”
“I know that your slap is more efficient without your glove’s impediment, but it would hardly have stopped Varley if he’d intended you any real harm.”
“I removed my gloves to uncover my fingernails,” she said.
He smiled. “I was correct from the start. Youarea kitten, and you unsheathed your claws. I am glad indeed you didn’t have to defend yourself.”
“I have other methods,” she promised, then lifted one knee to demonstrate. “The skirt doesn’t make it easy, but I would have managed if I’d had to.”
His eyes widened. “I have no doubt you would have. A good thing Varley wasn’t the violent type, but I shall be glad to know I have you to protect me should I ever need it.”
He almost wished she’d unleashed her claws and her knee. After all, Varley had once said Purity was a prim mouse. After swiving on their wedding night, he’d already known she was a wildcat in bed. Now, he knew she was also a fierce lioness, ready to defend herself should the need arise.
More importantly, they had weathered a potential scandal together. With any luck, the Varleys would recede into the distance, never to bother them again.
When they walked through the front door, Diana was the first to greet them with an embrace. Then as usual, a string of questions came at them like a barrage of soldier’s bullets.
“Where were you? Isn’t it a pretty day? May we go to the park later? Did you bring me anything?”
“How are the kittens?” Matthew found any talk of them usually distracted her.
Sure enough, as he handed Mr. Jacobs his hat and gloves, Diana prattled on about every detail of Miss Soft and Miss Wriggles, who had been forced to keep the incorrect designation because as she explained it, “Kitties are girls and dogs are boys, Papa.”
Despite having some correspondence to get to, he found he didn’t want to leave his family. Such a pleasant word —family. He was close to being ready to make the trip up north to introduce his two ladies, as he thought of them, to the rest of his relations.
Knowing he had Purity’s heart made his own soar like a falcon, and he wanted everyone to meet the wife who thought him worthy of her love.
And then, he was struck speechless.
Over the fireplace, an unremarkable landscape painting he’d picked up at a Christie and Manson’s auction had hung. Now, in its place was the portrait of his father, which he had last seen when he was a boy.
Wordlessly, he looked at Purity who took his arm and held it tightly. Diana was on his other side, staring at the strange man, so very familiar to Matthew.
“How?” he asked finally.
“Who is he?” Diana asked.
“That’s your papa’s father,” Purity answered. “Your grandfather. A handsome man, indeed.”
“And a dog,” Diana added. “Can we have a dog?”
“No, dear one,” Purity answered. “I believe Cook has a snack for you waiting. She was making currant rolls early this morning.”
And Diana ran off as his wife knew she would, leaving them alone. Matthew had tears in his eyes and couldn’t blink for fear they would spill.
“Are you pleased?” Purity asked, leaning her head on his upper arm and examining the painting alongside him.
Matthew sniffed. After a few moments, he said, “I hadn’t forgotten what my father looked like, but the details had blurred over the years. Seeing this, I’m pleased to say he is how my memory informed me.” He chuckled. “And that dog!”
Purity laughed. “Is that the one which bit your ear?”
“I believe so. Father said it was always underfoot, but he adored it. I thought it had the most doleful eyes and softest fur,” he added. “Not to mention the sharpest teeth.”
“Thank goodness it wasn’t a sheepdog,” she said. “You might have lost your entire ear.”
What a gift Purity had given him!He turned to wrap her in his arms.
“I cannot believe the painting is here. The best gift I expected from my wife was my favorite French cologne. How did you manage this?”
