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Seven

TEN IMPOSSIBLY LONG HEARTBEATS LATER

Oncemore, LadyAltheliaWestbrook surprised Owen with her openness and approachability.

Shepatted a spot beside her, which he eyed dubiously. As if sensing his doubt that he could fit in the confined space, she scooted over. “If you extend your legs, you should fit.”

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for tea?” He folded onto the straw-strewn wooden planks, then gathered the little mite from yesterday, now well fed, into his hand. The puppy wriggled around until Owen tucked him beneath his chin.

He’dnever owned a dog, but the idea grew on him with such ferocity, much like he must acquire Sampson, he didn’t know himself anymore.

Altheliapulled a face.

“I could say the same about you. I’ve already changed, but I thought I’d steal a few minutes with the puppies. Mama and Papa are occupied with Lucius and Clodovea, and I vow I heard a coach arrive just as I entered. ProbablyAdolphus, a day early.” She stroked the puppy’s tiny head with her forefinger. “He’s the Marquess of Edenhaven and the future duke.”

“Yes, Leonidas explained your father adopted your mother’s two sons from a previous marriage before your parents went on to have six more children.” He bent his strong mouth upward. “I’m an only child.”

“Did you want siblings?” She cocked her head, her poignant azure gaze searching his face. “I cannot fathom my life without my brothers, though Mama might’ve obliged me by having another girl. My brothers are not unkind, but they call me Ally-Cat when they know I detest the nickname and often go off and do manly things together, which I’m not permitted to do.”

Leaningagainst the planks, which squeaked in protest at the pressure of his weight, Owen crossed his ankles as he cuddled the pup. “Leonidas tells me you can outshoot all of them and are a formidable rival at archery and billiards.”

“He told you that? Well, he fibbed because Lucius and Layton can best me at pistols.” She gave him a saucy grin. “Barely.”

Precocious minx.

Strokingthe tiny puppy, he couldn’t contain a droll chuckle. “Does it bruise their manly pride?”

“I don’t think so.” Shrugging, Althelia shook her head and flicked a strand of straw from her gown. Her frock would likely bear wrinkles from sitting on the floor and perhaps even a stain, yet she seemed completely unconcerned about her appearance. “I’m never sure whether they are proud or exasperated with me.”

“Definitely proud. Of that, I have no doubt.” He extended his other hand for Inez to sniff and scratched behind her ears when she wagged her tail in approval.

“I imagine my family is quite overwhelming to you, Owen, and they aren’t all here yet. LastChristmas, several of Papa’s brothers—he has five—and their families joined us. It was utter chaos but glorious too. Grandmama was in heaven.”

Glancingupward, Owen scratched his jaw.

Itwasn’t a secret, but he didn’t generally volunteer his tawdry origins. “I’m the bastard son of an earl and the governess he seduced. My mother never married. I have three older half-sisters, but they do not acknowledge me.”

He’drun into the eldest, LadyMaristellaFernsby-Hartshorn, at Hatchard’sBookStore a few years ago. Tall and thin, cold and haughty, she’d looked through him as if he’d been window glass. He still wasn’t certain if she’d not known who he was or if she’d given him the cut direct.

Assuredly, Owen hadn’t lain awake at night ruminating about the encounter because the truth was, he had no more pressing desire to know his sisters than they did him.

“I’ve decided I should name my puppy,” Althelia announced.

Sheadeptly changed the subject as if sensing the conversation had crossed into uncomfortable territory for him. A skill he was coming to learn she seemed quite adept at. Either that, or she was sensitive to others’ feelings and would spare them discomfiture.

Herconsideration raised her another notch in his esteem, which had become perilously close to placing her on a pedestal.

Sheran a slender finger, the oval nail neatly filed, down the pup’s tiny, fragile spine.

“IfI name her, it will make it harder for my parents to tell me no.” Through the thick fringe of her eyelashes, she cut him a chagrined glance. “Please don’t think ill of me or that I’m always so devious. Truth be told, I’m quite desperate for a companion. Eva’s leaving this spring, and I fear I shall be lost without her.”

“I don’t think ill of you, Althelia, for wanting a pet.”

Thenascent smile tipping her mouth upward was a mélange of self-castigation, guilt, and rebellion.

“I’ve decided on Zenobia,” she said with confidence. “TheGreek meaning is born of Zeus, though she was born of Apollo.”

Shechuckled at her wry jest.