Page 96 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“You’re welcome. What will you name her?”

Charlotte held the kitten at arm’s length, studying her tricolored coat. Remembering the dessert she and Simon shared several evenings after their marriage, she pronounced, “Trifle.”

Simon’s dark brow hitched. “Like the dessert?”

“Yes. And also because she is so tiny.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from Simon, one Charlotte was loath to admit she found alluring. “She won’t always be so little. They do grow, you know.”

“Of course,” Charlotte answered, a setdown in her tone. “But that’s the beauty of it. She will prove the opposite of what people expect. Won’t you, Trifle?” She kissed the kitten on the nose again, eliciting another meow.

“I like the name,” Georgie said. “And she does look like the dessert.”

Simon balanced a well-muscled thigh on the arm of the sofa next to Charlotte, giving the kitten another scratch. “She even has a little brown patch of fur on the top of her head like chocolate shavings.”

Charlotte jerked her gaze toward him. “You remember that?”

“Contrary to belief, I have a splendid memory of things important to me.”

Oh.The budding warmth in Charlotte’s chest burst into a full-blown fire. Quickly, she schooled her features and turned toward Georgie. “What will you name yours?”

“Sir Nightclaws of the Meow Table.”

Simon guffawed. “Georgie, have you been reading the tales of King Arthur?”

“It’s an excellent name, Georgie. But it is rather lengthy.”

Georgie pouted, then her face brightened. “I’ll call him Nightly for short.”

As Simon reached across Charlotte to pet Nightly, the scent of rain mixed with sandalwood and shaving soap tickled her nose. Pleasant scents all of them. She expected him to smell of fish. Perhaps he was occupied elsewhere. With another woman? Tension coiled in her stomach like a nest of vipers. However, naming the cause would force her to admit her feelings.

“Didn’t you catch anything on yourfishingexcursion?”

Both eyebrows slid high on Simon’s forehead, and he locked eyes with her, the implication of her statement clearly understood. “No.” He turned his attention toward Georgie. “But Father did. Caught a big one.”

Shame burned her cheeks.

Simon glanced toward her, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Was it Gus?” Charlotte asked, burying her hot face into Trifle’s soft fur.

His gaze bouncing between Charlotte and Georgie, Simon blinked. “You know about Gus?”

Charlotte waved it away, eager to hear if Mr. Beckham had landed the legendary fish. “Georgie told me.”

“No. It wasn’t Gus, but it was nearly as big.”

“Will we have trout for supper?” Georgie asked, then placed a kiss on Nightly’s head. “Maybe Nightly and Trifle can have some.”

“I’m afraid not, Poppet. Father released him back to the river. But take heart. Father didn’t give up as easily as I did. Perhaps he’ll still bring home something for the table. And honestly, I didn’t know about the kittens until I had finished my fruitless effort.”

Georgie popped up from the sofa. “I’m going to show Nightly to Mama!” She raced out of the room without a goodbye.

Simon’s gaze followed his sister, and he laughed again, the sound vibrating on Charlotte’s skin and raising gooseflesh. She began to see her husband with new eyes.

Thoughtful.

Caring.

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