Conrad chuckled.“I don’t mind.Another thing is certain: the teasing will most decidedly increase.”
“Yes, well, at least it will be true.Or…half-true.”
Conrad hummed his agreement.“And if I come down to breakfast a little late, like I did yesterday, they will all make a great deal of assumptions.Might be helpful to our scheme.”
“Does that mean my pillow won’t be moving anytime soon?”
Conrad laughed and reached for his book.“It does.”Sage relaxed against him.
After another hour, Conrad finally got out of bed and dressed.When he strode into the breakfast room, the same group as before turned to look at him, amusement and curiosity plainly written in their expressions.Conrad chuckled as he went to the sideboard.“You really oughtn’t be surprised.After all, we were roomed together.”
“I knew it,” Emrys said.“Sage has been coy, but it’s so obvious.”
Conrad smiled, his back to them, as he dished out his food.
“It was obvious to you because Torquil mentioned it,” Keelan retorted.
“And I mentioned it to you,” Emrys replied.“I’m very generous in my gossip.”
“He learns from the best,” Torquil said, smiling at Conrad as he sat down.
Emrys pulled Torquil close and kissed them.“That I do,” he murmured against their lips before turning back to Conrad.“Well, I hope you have a cheering influence on Sage’s temperament.Always had the worst personality, that man.”
Conrad felt a twinge of irritation at the casual insult to the absent man’s character.“I cannot imagine what gave you that impression.His personality is perfectly–”
Emrys waved a dismissive hand and said with a smirk, “Yes, yes, I’m sure he improves uponcloseacquaintance.”
“I think he’s already influenced him,” Keelan said, returning to the original topic.“We saw him pet a kitten yesterday.”
Roger straightened in his seat.“He pet Peony?”
“He did,” Torquil confirmed.“And she liked him.”
Roger seemed nonplussed by this information.“My goodness,” he muttered.“I never would have guessed it.I’m glad though.”
“I’ve heard of this kitten, but I’ve yet to see her,” Conrad said.“Where are you hiding her?”
“More like you’re hiding in the study all day,” Keelan said.
Conrad laughed.“True.”
“I’ll see to it you get to meet her soon,” Roger assured him.“She’s the sweetest little thing.”
Keelan and Torquil nodded their agreement, but Emrys looked dubious.Soon the topic changed to the fineness of the weather, and how they all ought to take advantage of clear skies.
