Page 92 of A Duchess for his Family

“What conditions?”

His gaze returned to her. “There must be conditions.”

“Of course.”

“The creature is not to climb upon the dining table.”

“A very reasonable beginning.”

“It is not to enter the kitchens while food is being prepared.”

“Cook may contest that. I believe she has already adopted him.”

“He is not to sleep in the girls’ beds.”

Sophia raised her brows. “You may have difficulty enforcing that one.”

“It will be enforced.”

“And where is Admiral to sleep?” Sophia’s lips curved. “Not in your study, I presume.”

His expression became severe. “Certainly not.”

She lowered her gaze to her plate before her smile became too obvious. Since finding him that afternoon with the kitten asleep in his lap, Sophia carried the image with her in a warm, secret corner of her mind. Benedict looked so thoroughly betrayed by his own tenderness that she could not think of it without wanting to laugh and touch him in equal measure.

He attempted to claim the animal’s presence had been accidental. The gentle motion of his fingers against Admiral’s head had been rather more difficult to explain.

Right then, a commotion sounded in the corridor. There came the rapid patter of children’s feet, the heavier tread of a groom following behind, and Marjorie’s voice.

“He must enter properly. He is now an indoor gentleman.”

The doors opened. Marjorie swept into the dining room, carrying Admiral against her chest. Amelia followed close behind, one hand cupped protectively beneath the kitten’s hind paws, though Marjorie seemed to have him quite secure.

The groom paused at the threshold, with his hat in hand and apology upon his face. “Your Grace, I attempted to tell the young ladies the kitten might be brought after dinner.”

“You did your best, Harris,” Benedict sighed.

The man bowed with visible gratitude and escaped.

Admiral looked considerably improved since his discovery beneath the bush. His fur had been washed and brushed until the gray patches stood out cleanly against the white. Only the bent ear and the determined expression remained unchanged. He surveyed the dining room as though inspecting a property he had just recently inherited.

“He is here!” Marjorie announced.

“So I see,” Benedict nodded.

“Say it again,” Amelia urged.

Benedict frowned. “Say what again?”

“That he may stay.”

“I have already said it.”

“We were not certain we heard correctly,” Marjorie explained.

“You abandoned your dinner with remarkable confidence for two people who were uncertain.”

Marjorie held Admiral a little higher. “Please.”