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Justfor reinforcement, she added a couple more self-castigations because entertaining whimsical fantasies was plain stupid.

“Peagoose. Saddle-goose.”

“SaddleSirWaddlesby?” A manly chuckle filtered to her. “I’d like to see that.”

What?

Shepoked her head around the sheet she’d just finished hanging on the line.

Abasket covered by a tea towel clutched in one hand, Darius stood there, a wholly disarming smile curving his firm mouth upward.

“Good morning, Araminta.”

Headdressed her with the ease and confidence of someone who believed it was their right.

“Good morn to you as well.”

Whywas he here?

“I wasn’t expecting you.” She nearly rolled her eyes at stating the obvious. Lest he feel unwelcome, she rushed to add, “ButI’m glad you came.”

Oh, for pity’s sake, Araminta.

Nowshe sounded too eager.

SirWaddlesby waddled over and longingly eyed the black gloves Darius wore.

Ho-onk. Ho-onk.

Heoffered a muted greeting as he stretched his long neck toward the treasure he so adored.

“Oh, no, you don’t, you rascal.” Darius chuckled, the warm rumble resonating in his broad chest. “Just a moment, my good fellow. I have something for you.”

Heglanced upward, his gaze meshing with Araminta’s. “I think you will both be very pleased.”

Hewinked, and she forgot to breathe.

Lord, he was devastatingly handsome this morning, his dark blue eyes rivaling the spring twilight. He wore a cobalt coat, black trousers, and an azure and black paisley waistcoat. Though he claimed to be of the merchant class now that he operated Westbrook’sBook & CoffeeEmporium, no one would ever mistake him for anything but quality.

Hisfacial features and bearing betrayed his noble breeding.

Yetnot once had he behaved like an arrogant ponce.

Glancingdownward, she hid a grimace.

Planningon spending the day completing chores, she’d slipped on one of her oldest, most worn frocks when she’d arisen at dawn. A gingham yellow floral affair, the gown’s once cheery colors had faded into obscure shades and shapes. And worst of all, she hadn’t confined her wild hair into a tidy knot but had secured the untamed curls at her nape with a ribbon.

Afterfishing around in his basket for a moment, Darius withdrew a glove. “WhenI wrote and asked my parents to send books for the library, I also asked them to collect gloves missing their mate.”

Stillwearing that distracting grin, he glanced at the basket. “They sent several. How a glove goes missing, I have no idea. Nevertheless, I should think there are enough gloves here to keep SirWaddlesby happy for a while and prevent him from stealing.”

Dariusdangled a lady’s blue glove for the goose whose black button eyes lit with joy. Issuing a gleeful hum, SirWaddlesby accepted the offering, then pelted through the rose and vegetable gardens with his treasure hanging from his mouth.

“Thank you,” Araminta said in an unfamiliar breathless tone. “SirWaddlesby is as happy as he’s ever been.”

“You’re welcome.” Huskiness deepened Darius’s voice.

Observingher beloved goose clicking and humming to himself in complete delight, she offered Darius a tremulous smile. If she hadn’t already fallen head over heels in love with DariusWestbrook, his thoughtful gift certainly clinched it.