Page 66 of Once More, My Darling Rogue
“How do you know that?”
He swung his gaze to hers, and she saw a mixture of emotions: confusion, aggravation, worry.
“You mentioned it in passing once.”
“Was it my cat?”
“No, it belonged to a childhood friend. At least that’s what I recall you saying.”
“What else did I mention?”
He shifted his attention back to the side of her face, as though if he didn’t watch it, the ice would wander off. “You had a scruffy mutt that barked at anything that wasn’t wearing a skirt.”
“I suppose it would have barked at you then. I wish I could remember it.” She thought for a moment. “Probably best not to. Might just make me sad. Anything else?”
“You like to ride, but Daisy will not be suitable for riding.”
“I have no plans to ride her. I just want her to have a life without care. You’ll need to get her some oats.”
“I’ll take care of it before I go to the club.”
“I’m quite the bother, aren’t I?”
“I’ve known more bothersome wenches.”
“You are such a grumbler, even when you’re trying to make me feel better.”
He smiled, and without thought she reached up and touched the small dimple that formed in his cheek. His lips started to close. “No, don’t stop smiling. You don’t grin nearly enough. And you have such a lovely smile.”
“Lovely? Lovely gets a bloke beat up.”
“Not you. I never doubted for a moment that you would put that awful man in his place.”
“I broke his nose. And his jaw, I think.”
His voice contained no boastfulness, but she heard regret.
“He deserved it,” she said with conviction.
“Aren’t you bloodthirsty?”
“I think I am, rather. When it comes to animals.” She placed her hand over his where it still held the ice to her face, and lowered it to her lap. “Your knuckles are grazed and swollen. We should put ice on them for a bit.”
“They’re big and ugly. Ice isn’t going to help that.” As though suddenly uncomfortable, he got up briskly. “I should see to the oats before trying to get a few winks.”
It hadn’t even occurred to her that it was the middle of the afternoon and he’d not yet had a chance to sleep. “It can wait. You must be exhausted.”
“I’ve gone longer without sleep. I’ll be fine.”
He headed for the door.
“Wait, I have something for you.”
“A list of other things you need?” He was teasing her. She could tell by the twinkle in his eyes. She thought she could easily fall in love with that twinkle. Wouldn’t that be a disaster? As she’d told Marla, servants did not marry their employers.
“No, something else.” She reached into the reticule that Marla had rescued after she’d dropped it and pulled out the small wrapped parcel that was as big as her hand. Hearing a clink, she frowned. “It may have broken.”
Still she pushed it across the table toward him. He approached it as though he expected it to bite.
