She inclined her head. “Perhaps, but I must insist. Iwantto care for him.”
“Be the better person?”
“Rise above my resentments, yes.”
“I wish you both well, then.” He took a deep, cleansing breath. “And as…enlightening as our conversation has been, the past is not the reason I came over here today.”
“No?”
“I came to talk with you about the pup. My wife rescued him. And I’d like to keep him.”
She assessed him critically. “He was my litter’s best. If I hadn’t gifted him to my father, he would have fetched a nice price.”
“I’m not asking for a gift. I am willing to pay. And”—he leaned forward—“I can assure you the duchess and I are sincerely attached to Mercy.”
“Mercy?” The corner of her mouth turned up.
“As in, ‘Mercy,what have you gotten into this time!?’”
She laughed lightly. “I can see you are sincerely attached to him.”
They negotiated a price. He didn’t haggle hard. The importantthing was to make sure the pup remained with him. Mercy belonged at Harbury Hall. Just as Cassandra belonged with him.
He only hoped she’d come to her senses and return soon.
He took his leave with a lighter heart than he’d had when he arrived. And, as he mounted the steps to Harbury hall, he heard the sound of wild barking. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Mercy—ears flopping and claws rat-a-tatting against marble—circled him in ever more exuberant rings. Harbury glanced down with affection. The dog was thrilled, but also anxious.
Ever since Cassie left, he’d had taken up a place at the door.
“As soon as she comes home,” he said as he scooped up the pup, “we will tell her how much we missed her, won’t we?”
“If you had half a brain, you wouldn’t wait. You’d be at Ravenswood, on your knees.”
Harbury swiveled toward the voice. “Adrian!”
Adrian stood with his boots crossed at the ankle, leaning against the balustrade as if he hadn’t a care in the world. But, Harbury noted, he was still wearing his greatcoat. As they exchanged a hearty handshake, Mercy sniffed at Adrian as if he weren’t quite certain if the man were friend or foe.
“Oh, now that your protector has returned, you’re brave enough to sniff me.” Adrian tickled behind Mercy’s ear, settling the matter in Adrian’s favor—friend. “I’ve heard about you. Insufferably adorable, just as reported.” He transferred his gaze to Harbury. “You, on the other hand, look like the devil.”
“No doubt.” He kept hold of the dog, just in case. He might need comforting, depending on what Adrian had to say. “I’m surprised you could tear yourself away from Eliza. To what to I owe the pleasure?”
“On horseback, the ride is no more than a few hours. Besides, I came at my wife’s behest.”
Adrian had come because Eliza had asked him to do so? “Hasmywife sent a message, too?”
“Cassiedoesn’t know I’m here.”
Cassie.
He tamped down an irrational flare of jealousy. Of course, Adrian was on family terms with his wife. He was her brother-in-law.
“But before we discuss Cassie, there’s something else I’d like to know.” Adrian leveled his gaze. “I heard Lady Pennington is on the estate, is that true?”
“Lady Pennington is staying at Rose Cottage,” he confirmed, resenting the implication in Adrian’s tone.
Only he hadn’t any more cause for his resentment than he’d had for his jealousy. Adrian hadn’t been with him over the last few weeks. As far as Adrian knew, the last time Harbury had seen Lady Pennington, Harbury had lost his head.
“As a matter of fact,” Harbury continued, “I’ve just come from there. I went over there to secure our Mercy.” He hefted the dog and tilted his head. “Do you hear that?” He spoke directly to the spaniel. “I’ve bought you fair and square. You belong to Cassandra and me for good.”
