Less than an hour later, she was dressed for riding and on her way down to the breakfast room. She heard voices and entered the room to see Beatrice and the duke at the table together. Beatrice was laughing and sought to cover her mouth with her napkin.
To Celeste’s surprise, Muggins sat on his haunches on the duke’s lap. Right there at the table.
“What is so funny?” Celeste asked.
“Watch,” Beatrice ordered as the duke tore off a bit of the bacon on his plate and offered it to the dog.
Instead of being docile and grateful, Muggins ducked under Salcombe’s arm and stole the larger piece of the meat, gobbling it fast.
“He’s a rascal,” Oliver said, rubbing the dog’s ear with affection.
At that moment, Mrs. Hillsdale came to a halt in the doorway, staring at the dog. “I have been looking all over for him. I beg your pardon, Your Grace. He should be outside where he belongs. Come now, Mister.” She went to reach for the pup, but Salcombe stopped her with a frown.
“I have been told by one and all that Muggins spends most of his time in the house.”
Mrs. Hillsdale dropped her hands, her expression stricken. She glanced at the footman by the door who ducked his head. Turning back to the duke, she replied, “He will not in the future. I must also confess I lost him last night. I spent a good amount of time looking for him. However, I fear he is a bit of a weasel when it comes to having his way.”
“He was with me,” the duke said, “And please do not worry. Muggins is welcome in the house,providedhe stays away from my boots,” he said, reiterating the warning he’d given the daybefore. However, this time, he directed his comment to the dog who acted unconcerned.
“He will, Your Grace. I promise he will.” The housekeeper picked up Muggins.
“Actually, Mrs. Hillsdale, he is a fine character. I imagine Muggins rules the place when I am not here.”
“Mr. Avery likes him, so he does let him do whatever he pleases,” she replied.
“Ah, yes, I am certain it is Avery who has spoiled him.”
“I certainly do not,” she answered, but she was smiling. Celeste noticed the footman seemed relieved that all would be well. Muggins was obviously a favorite in the household among the staff.
After the dog had been carried away, Celeste helped herself to the dishes on the sideboard. “Has Muggins made a dog lover of you, Your Grace?”
“I like Muggins more than most of the members of Parliament.” He set his napkin aside. “Are you ready to view the Masick property, my lady?”
Celeste hopped to her feet, picking up the bun from her plate that she hadn’t finished eating. “We’ll see you later, Beatrice.”
The duke had arranged a lovely bay mare for Celeste to ride. The animal was well-trained with a gentle temperament. He rode his beast of a horse, Johnny.
Again, conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about everything from events of the day to books they’d enjoyed to plans for the charity as they cut across the plowed fields. Oliver knew the way, and she was happy to follow. She enjoyed being on the back of a good horse again.
“I have been thinking about what rules we should have for the men living on the property,” she said.
“What have you decided?”
“That most of the rules should be determined by the men themselves. After all, they were all soldiers once. They know how to keep good order.”
He nodded his agreement. “I also accept how important their dogs may be to them. However, you mentioned cats. I don’t know about cats. Cats don’t strike me as loyal to anyone.”
“They can be very companionable,” Celeste assured him. “When I was a girl, I had an orange tabby named Mortimer who followed me everywhere. He’d even let me dress him up in a doll bonnet. He could open closed doors. He’d jump up, catch the latch, and pull down on it. I also adore seeing a cat napping in the window seat of a room.”
Oliver made a face. “I’ll wait to be convinced.”
She laughed. “All we need is a cat with a personality as big as the one Muggins has.”
“That would be hard to find,” he assured her, and she promised him that, someday, he’d meet a cat who would change his mind. She knew it wouldn’t be hard. She was quickly learning that Oliver had a big heart. It was becoming what she admired the most about him.
They were met at the appointed place by a Mr. Vickery, Lord Masick’s land agent, who gave them the tour. There was a house, but it needed work. Celeste was a bit dismayed by how much would need to be repaired.
However, Oliver assured her the pensioners would be happy to see to the repairs. “The barn and stables are in good shape,” he pointed out.
