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He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her back to him. “What if I beg for forgiveness?”

She stared up at him, forcing herself to breathe. It was times such as this when she thought, briefly, that perhaps their marriage might not only be a convenience . “It will have to be very sincere begging.” She pushed the words past the tightness in her throat.

“I’d expect nothing less,” he said, still holding her near him. He could pull her closer and kiss her, with little more than a flex of his arm. But he didn’t. Why? Why would he only kiss her when someone told him he must?

She sucked in a breath and stepped out of his arms. “I’ve heard no begging yet, my lord.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

He dropped to bended knee and pulled one of her hands to him. “My lady, may I offer my sincerest apologies for laughing at the notion that you knew not how to properly feed birds.”

Lawks. She did not know if she could deny him anything when he looked at her in such a way. She pulled him to his feet, just to stop his scrutiny. And to have her hand back. His touch made it hard for her to think. And to breathe. “Yes, yes. Very well. All is forgiven.”

“Then I may come and help?” he asked, still not releasing her hand.

She pretended to relent, even though she had no intention of leaving him behind. “I suppose...if you must.”

He lifted her hand and kissed the back. “Thank you, Lady Pip.”

“You’re most welcome, Galahad.” She pulled her hand from his and moved to the side table, grabbing the spool of red ribbon and willing her heart to stop racing. “Come. I’m certain Ari’s back from the kitchens.”

He fell into step beside her as she exited their rooms and headed for the stairs. “Why was she in the kitchens?”

“She was fetching a bowl, of course.”

He nodded. “Of course. How could I not have realized as much?”

When they entered the breakfast room, Ari raised a brow. “What are you doing here, Freddie? I thought it was to be an activity for the ladies.”

Freddie tapped the tip of his sister’s nose. “I wished to spend time with my favorite ladies. Can you blame me?”

Ari’s scowl melted into a smile. “No, I cannot.”

Pippy explained what they were to do, and they all set to work. Evie and Ari spread the suet on the pinecones before rolling them in a mixture of breadcrumbs, oats, and nuts, while she and Freddie mixed everything together and formed them into balls around a loop of ribbon. She held one up. “We’ll hang these in the trees.”

Just then the blond-haired maid came into the room. “Did you not shut the door to the larder? Mrs. Jannet found it ajar and says she’s reporting me to Mrs. Wintle.”

Pippy frowned. “But I did shut the larder. I’m certain of it.”

“Then how did she find it ajar?” the maid wrung her hands.

“I beg your pardon.” Freddie moved to Pippy’s side. “I don’t like the accusation you are leveling at my wife.”

“I beg your pardon, my lord. That was not my intent.” The girl frowned, even as she held his gaze. Then, as if considering it, she curtsied. “I need this position.” Panic laced her voice.

“Then I suggest you⁠—”

Pippy put her hand on Freddie’s arm. “I’ll speak to Mrs. Jannet and explain that I must have left it open.”

The maid looked at her. “You’d do that?”

“I would. I know what it’s like—” She paused. “I don’t wish for you to lose your position if it was something I did.”

The maid curtsied. “Thank you, my lady. You’re very kind.” She turned and hurried out of the room.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Freddie said. “And I shall speak to my aunt about her.”

“Please don’t speak with Aunt Dalmeer,” Ari said, but she didn’t look up from the floor. “It was me. When I went back to fetch the bowl, I opened the door.”

Pippy gasped. “Why would you do that?”