Alden shrugged, that unreadable expression crossing his face again. “Even I crave company, sometimes.”
“Well, you ought to come to supper with us, then. Plenty of people to keep you company at our house. If you can lower yourself to dine with us, that is.”
“Actually, it sounds pleasant.”
Clara started, surprised he would take what she said as anything other than a jest. “Very well. I’ll arrange it.”
Alden blinked, as though surprised in turn. “Good.”
Harvey let out a whine. He stared up at them as they stood close over him, as though wondering was going to happen.
“You should go,” Alden said abruptly to Clara.
“I should stay.” She returned his stubborn look with one of her own. “Harvey will be afraid if I don’t.”
Alden glared at her a while longer. Harvey waited, his expression growing more and more worried.
Finally, Alden jerked his head in a nod, as though grudgingly agreeing. While Clara patted Harvey reassuringly, Alden found a few more lanterns and lit them from the candle in hers. They were oil lamps and gave off a brighter glow.
Clara found an bench to sink onto, glad to be out of the wind, but it was still very cold. Harvey lowered himself to his haunches next to her, pressing into her skirts.
“Are you certain you can bathe him?” she asked.
“Of course I can,” Alden answered impatiently. “Tomorrow, in the garden. There’s a pump out there, and I’ll scare up some carbolic soap. Milford swears by it.” He studied Harvey’s matted coat. “I don’t have any brushes for dogs, though, only for spoiled dandies.”
Wordlessly, Clara produced a stiff-bristled brush from her pocket. Alden stared at it, then, incredibly, began to laugh.
“Clara Griffin, you are an amazing woman.”
Her heart beat in slow, banging thuds. She’d never seen Alden laugh, and it lit his face, chasing away the shadows.
She’d always thought him handsome, but the laughter transformed him into something extraordinary. Clara stared up at him, lips parted, before she snapped her mouth shut, fearing she looked like a fool.
She shrugged. “I always wear coats with deep pockets.”
This set Alden into more laughter. Harvey sat up straighter, his tail beginning to thump.
“What else have you got in there?” Alden asked, wiping his eyes.
Clara dipped her hands inside her coat. “Several brushes, actually, and a comb. I wasn’t certain what we’d need. Alsoa flask of tea and a beef sandwich.” She laid everything on the bench beside her, the sandwich, made by the doting cook, wrapped in paper.
Alden collapsed on her other side, burying his face in his hands. “A beef sandwich and a flask of tea.”
“I thought Harvey might be hungry, but I didn’t want our cook to refuse me a bit of beef for a stray dog. So I said it was for me. It is probably why he has been hovering near me instead of you.”
Harvey’s nose was twitching, drool spilling from the sides of his mouth, his tail moving even faster. Clara unwrapped the sandwich and handed it out to him.
The dog took it and swallowed it in two gulps, the poor, starving thing. He licked his maw and eyed her eagerly, hoping for more.
Alden leaned his head back against the wall and let out a long breath. “I haven’t laughed like that since—” He broke off, pain darkening his expression. “In a long time.”
Clara put a hand on his arm. “It was nice to hear.”
“Don’t.” Alden abruptly leapt to his feet and took two swift steps backward. “Don’t touch me.”
Clara drew back, her heart stinging. “Pardonme, I’m sure.”
“No. No, I didn’t mean—”
