Page 24 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
Jon’s frown wiped away the girl’s smile. “What did we agree about the dog and the dining room?”
Mrs. Gilroy offered a well-timed clearing of her throat. “Have ye forgotten about Mr. Bennett?”
“Blast—” Jon broke off his words.
“He did say it was a matter of importance,” Mrs. Gilroy said, as if for emphasis.
“It isalwaysimportant,” Jon responded, not quite under his breath. With that, he briskly left the room.
Carrie pointed to the chair beside Belle. “I’d like to sit with you.” She hesitated. “May I?”
“Of course. Please join me.” Belle smiled as the girl scrambled onto a chair, an amazing feat of nimbleness considering the layers of frilly skirts in her way. The dog plopped down beside the spindled legs, making it clear he wanted to be with the humans of the household.
Reaching down to pet the dog, Carrie nibbled her lip. “I shall take him to my room.” Her young voice sounded rather resigned.
“I see no need for you to do that,” Belle said, as a vision of Jon’s disapproving frown danced in her thoughts. “Not yet, atleast.” She decided to change the subject. “Where is Miss Bun-Bun?”
“Cousin Jon does not want me to bring her to the table.”
“Now what could be the harm in it?” Belle said. “It’s not as if she’s going to nibble on anything now, is she?”
“Of course not,” the girl said with a giggle. “She doesn’t even have teeth. Not real ones, at least.”
“Unlike the dog,” Mrs. Gilroy said. “I’ll take Heathy with me. Mr. Mason won’t be pleased to see the wee chewing machine is still here.”
“I’d prefer the pup stay, if only for a short while. He rather reminds me of my Angus. I do miss him so.” Seeing Jon approach, Belle felt a sudden twinge of rebellion. “Besides, rules are made to be broken.”
“Are they now?” Jon questioned as he rejoined them. “I’d have to say I disagree.”
“Somehow, that does not surprise me in the least,” Belle countered, adding a sweet smile for effect.
“I was just on my way to take the dog to the lass’s room,” Mrs. Gilroy spoke up.
“Thank you.” His attention fell on Carrie before darting to Belle. “There is a children’s table,” he said, motioning to the small round table by the window.
Belle deliberately quirked a brow. “Unfortunately, there are no other children here. I see no reason for Carrie to sit by herself while we break our fast.”
“You may have noticed the girl is not tall enough to sit properly at the table,” he pointed out, sounding quite logical—as if logic truly mattered in this situation.
“I did take note of her child-sized stature,” Belle said. “I suppose you do have a point.”
His eyes flashed, betraying he’d taken note of her too-agreeable tone. “By thunder, I’d say today is a most remarkableday. Miss Arabelle Frost has decided to concur with me on at leastonepoint.”
“There is a small problem.” She hiked her chin, meeting his gaze directly. “And I have a solution.”
“Do you, now?” His words seemed a bit of a challenge.
“Of course.” She plastered on a smile, if only to see his frown deepen. “It’s actually quite an easy answer.” She turned to Mrs. Gilroy. “Might you happen to have a throw pillow or two lying about that might be used to boost her height?”
“That I do, Miss. I’ll fetch them from the parlor.” The housekeeper looked to be biting back a little smile. “Come, Heathy,” she called, then briskly left the room with the dog trotting happily at her heels.
Jon raked a hand through his hair. “I am not accustomed to being overruled in my own home.”
She shrugged. “I would not regard a difference of perspective in that manner. Luckily—perhaps for both of us—you won’t have to endure my hard-headed ways much longer.” Belle turned to Carrie. The girl wove her fingers together in what seemed a sign of distress. The gesture tore at her heart. “In any case, Mr. Mason, might I suggest we continue this discussion at another time? We should not bore Carrie with our minor disagreements.”
As he turned to the child, his expression softened. So, he’d also noticed the girl’s fretting look. “Point taken.”
“Now little one, let’s have a chat while we wait for Mrs. Gilroy to return,” she said, meeting Carrie’s questioning eyes. “I trust you slept well.”
