Page 60 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

‘Yes, but didn’t you say the book also said it is all right to move them somewhere more convenient once they’ve given birth?’

Primrose wasn’t sure why she had to explain herself. Clawdia was her cat, and she was very experienced in caring for mother cats and their kittens. She didn’t need a book to tell her what to do—or a man, for that matter.

‘That just means where they will be out of harm’s way, where they won’t be stepped on or where the kittens might fall and hurt themselves. It doesn’t mean picking them up and carrying them all the way down the street. Anything could happen between here and there.’

‘But—’

‘The book also said the mother and kittens should remain undisturbed for eight weeks.’ He raised a finger as if expecting her to dispute that as well. ‘So she’s going to have to stay here for the next two months until the kittens are fully weaned and independent.’

Before she could respond to this absurd lack of logic, he flicked through the book, opened it up to the page covering the weaning of kittens and held it up to her, as if to prove his point.

‘You will, of course, be most welcome to visit anytime you want,’ he added, closing the book, but keeping his finger inside to mark his place. ‘I’m sure Clawdia will always be happy to see you.’

Eight weeks. Primrose knew she had nothing to worry about regarding Clawdia, who it appeared was going to be treated like royalty while she nursed her kittens. But was it wise for Primrose to be visiting on a regular basis, for eight weeks?

Could her nervous system cope with being in his company for that long? This first visit was already placing it under a great deal of strain. After eight weeks it would probably be at breaking point.

‘Will you be leaving for America soon?’ she asked, keeping her voice as nonchalant as possible and not sure if she was hoping he’d say yes or no. Either way presented her with an array of conflicting emotions.

‘I can’t leave now,’ he exclaimed as if surprised she would even ask him that. ‘Arrangements are being made for the transfer of ownership of the house to the charity, but I’ve already informed my solicitor it will be two months before I am ready to leave as I must be here while Clawdia needs me to watch over her and the kittens.’

Primrose could only imagine what Mr Carruthers would have made of that, but that was neither here nor there. Somehow, she was going to have to cope with seeing Lucian every day for eight weeks. How would she cope with being alone with him in this study? Would she be able to stick to her principles, or would seeing so much of him reduce her to begging him to marry her, if that was what it would take to be back in his arms?

‘Mrs Elwood says sometimes kittens can fail to thrive, and you have to give them supplementary feed, plus the mother can be prone to mastitis and all sorts of infections, so they will all need constant supervision. I’m going to have to watch them carefully.’

‘That’s very vigilant of you.’ It appeared Lucian was now an expert on cats and had appointed himself the guardian of Clawdia and her kittens. She suppressed a smile. He looked so serious it was utterly adorable.

‘I sent the maid out to buy some scales,’ he continued. ‘Once the kittens are big enough to be handled, I’ll be able to weigh them daily to make sure they are gaining weight. You can’t handle them when they’re too small as it might distress them, as well as the mother. That’s all in the book, but I didn’t know that when I tried to place them in the basket.’

‘I’m sure Clawdia and her kittens will forgive you, and they all look perfectly content.’

He frowned in Clawdia’s direction, as if not certain he was doing enough.

‘So when are visiting hours?’

His frown was now directed at her, as if she had gone mad, and not just teasing him about his overprotectiveness. ‘You can visit us any time you like.’

He looked back at Clawdia. ‘I’ll need to change her bed linen soon. You can help me if you wish,’ he said in all seriousness. ‘The book says their surroundings have to be kept clean and warm at all times.’

‘I’m sure she’s happy with your shirts, which look perfectly clean, but it you want to retrieve them you could get some old rags that you don’t mind getting ruined.’

That look of disbelief returned as if she had said something truly shocking. ‘Clawdia clearly chose to give birth here because she knew I’d look after her. I will not let her down by placing her or her kittens on old rags.’

‘All right,’ she said slowly and looked down at Clawdia. The cat looked back at her with what appeared to be supreme smugness.

It was as if the cat was saying He’s doing all this because he loves me, not because of Society, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because he genuinely loves me.

Again, she would not allow herself to become jealous of her cat.

‘Would you like to stay for a while?’ he asked, still looking discomposed. ‘I’m sure Clawdia would appreciate it.’

Primrose wasn’t entirely sure. The cat possibly wanted Lucian all to herself, but she nodded anyway.

Lucian offered her his chair and left the room, then quickly returned with another, which he placed beside hers so they could both watch Clawdia. Which they did, saying nothing, just looking at the cat, who was looking back at them as if interested in what was going to happen next.

‘Well, I think you are correct. Clawdia does appear to have chosen somewhere she feels safe and secure,’ Primrose said, needing to make conversation and break this uncomfortable silence. ‘It’s funny to think that when you first met her, you let her know she was not wanted in your garden, never mind your house, and yet she chose your house in which to have her kittens.’

‘Things change. People change,’ he said quietly.