It’s beena few days of trying to settle in, and there is still so much to see of the grounds, so I decide to head out for a walk with Min as my silent companion. The stillness of the early morning settles me, and neither of us speak as we wander the gardens. A cool breeze gently wafts at my maxi dress, and the aroma of the exotic flowers tickles my nose. Peace shatters with a sudden chorus of yips and barks. In moments, I’m surrounded by wagging tails and eager paws. I crouch, laughter spilling out as tongues and wet noses greet me.
“Down.” Marcus’s voice rings out, and all the dogs sit immediately and turn to face him expectantly. “Morning, ladies. My apologies, the one thing I can’t seem to get them to do is mind their manners around people they haven’t met before.”
I stand and wave my hand. “Oh, they’re fine. Are they all yours?”
“I’m afraid so. They’re excited to have their morning run. I’m a bit late this morning.”
“You run with them?”
He nods. “Every morning and every night.”
Well, that explains a lot. I’ve just discovered the secret to his incredible body. The dogs fix their gaze on Marcus, their bodies taut with anticipation as they wait for the signal to spring free.
I incline my head to the pack. “They look a bit impatient.”
“They’re always like this. Even after a walk, they want more.”
I laugh, the sound carrying farther in the quiet of the morning. All this time, Min has stood silently by. “I’ll let you get on with it, then. I’d like to be friends with them, and encroaching on their walk is hardly a way to endear myself to them.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about there. You’re still covered in slobber.”
My hand shoots to my face, and I frantically wipe at my skin. Marcus laughs. The asshole was messing with me. Fucking damn it!
The Great Dane lets out a low whine, and Marcus pats his head. “All right, boy, we’re going, we’re going.” With a sharp whistle, the dogs sprint to their feet and bound away. Marcus gives us a mock salute. “Ladies.” Just like that, he’s gone.
“Now, that’s a view I could get on board with every morning,” Min says.
“I guess you should have married him, then.”
“A-ha! I knew it! You find him attractive.”
“Meh. There’s more to attraction than a nice ass.”
“Some would say a start is a start.”
“And I’m saying we need to stop talking crap and get to work.”
“What happened to our walk?”
“I just remembered I have a lot to do.”
Min shoots me a dubious look.
“What? I do. We’ve still got to hang my artwork.”
I can tell I’m not being convincing, but she lets it go.
“Have you decided where to hang them?”
“I have a few ideas.”
“Let’s get to it, then.”
As we descendthe steps to the library where Aiden stored my paintings, the doorbell rings. Like a ghost, Sebastian appears and opens the door with his usual flourish. I know the gate called to give him a heads-up that we were receiving a guest, but it’s as though he can sense the exact moment the doorbell will be rung.
Stephan stands on the doorstep with a polite smile.
“Ah, Mr. Lovell. If you’ll wait here, I’ll call?—”
