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Athena had finally snared a husband—a much, much older husband. Wealthy too. No surprise they’d been caught in a compromising situation by Albertina and two of her most gossipy cronies a mere week after Jordan had ordered the two women from his house.

Theran put his arm around Dexter’s frail shoulders. “I can do much better than that, Dexter. Purity and I would count ourselves fortunate if you agreed to live with us.”

Tears blurred Dexter’s eyes as he shifted his gaze from Theran to Purity.

“You wouldn’t mind, Purity? It wouldn’t bother you that Imogene was my daughter?”

Purity stepped forward and kissed his wrinkled cheek. “You are my family now.”

Theran winked. “You see why I fell in love with her?”

Chuckling and drying his eyes, Dexter nodded. “I do, my boy. I do, indeed.”

Bernadine came running into the drawing room, Dotty scrambling to keep up behind her.

“Grandpa!”

Arms open wide, she hurled herself at Dexter.

Her grandfather kissed her flushed cheek.

Theran scooped the wriggling puppy into his arms.

“I told you, Papa.” Grinning, Bernadine petted her puppy.

Dotty promptly tried to nibble her fingers, and Bernadine laughed.

“Told me what, Rabbit?” The puppy bit his chin. “Stop that, you little rascal.”

“That Purty should be my mama.”

His gaze suspiciously moist again, Dexter said, “Out of the mouth of babes.”

“You were absolutely right.” Theran’s gaze met Purity’s, and he leaned over and grazed his lips across hers.

Yes, Purity thought as she let her eyelashes drift shut. This is absolutely right.