Page 6 of This Marquess of Mine

Her gaze fell away, and she lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Can you blame me? I’m bedridden and my own son barely visits me. What is there to be cheerful about?”

“I visited you this morning, didn’t I?”

“Only because I summoned you.”

Griffin bit back a smile. “Well, you’ve summoned me again, and here I am.” And before she could argue further, he reached over and took her by the hand. “Now, is there anything I can do for you? Fluff your pillows? Ring for more tea?”

She hesitated then nodded. “More tea would be nice,” she said. “And…there is one other thing you can do for me.”

Griffin rose to ring the bell for the maid. “Yes? What is it?”

He reclaimed his seat on the bed and his mother pursed her lips, a clear sign of danger to come. “With my injury, I will be laid up for some time,” she said slowly. “And this means I will be unable to act as your sister’s chaperone. Therefore, I will need you to take on the task until I am well again.”

Griffin’s brow knit. “What about Lady Augusta? Can she not escort her around?”

His mother’s gaze was on the kitten, her fingers scratching her chin. “Lady Augusta will be too busy helping me. She feels responsible for my injury and no matter how hard I try, I cannot convince her otherwise. She practically begged me to let her care for me until I am well, and I felt I had no choice but to give in. I could see it was the only way to make her feel better. So, over the next few weeks, she will be here with me.”

The kitten began to move about the coverlet, exploring her new surroundings with unabashed curiosity.

“Would you like me to speak with her?” Griffin asked. “Perhaps I can convince her to abandon the idea.”

Lady Keswick shook her head. “I shouldn’t bother if I were you. Her mind is quite made up.”

“But surely it would be worth a try,” he argued. “I can be rather persuasive when I try.”

She smiled. “I know you can, darling, but not this time. Lady Augusta will not be persuaded.”

“But—”

“Griffin, I am surprised at you,” she scolded, her lips puckering. “It is such a little favor to ask, and I would think you would be happy to spend this time with your beloved sister.”

Well, hell. There was simply no argument against that. “Very well,” he said, suppressing a sigh. “I will do as you ask.”

“Oh, splendid.” Lady Keswick clapped her hands together, a smile gracing her lips. “Emmy was hoping to visit the shops tomorrow. I’ll let her know you have agreed to take them.”

Griffin stilled, a wisp of unease brushing his nape. “Them?”

She nodded, chuckling softly as the kitten attacked a loose thread on the coverlet. “Yes, I believe Olivia would like to go, as well.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. Damn. He could just about tolerate an afternoon at the shops with his sister, but Olivia Blakely was another matter entirely. She was insufferable.

He’d already promised to go, however, and he always kept his word, so he swallowed the argument on his tongue and gave his mother a tight smile instead. “Fine. I’ll be here.”

Lady Keswick patted him on the hand. “I knew I could count on you.”

Griff huffed out an exasperated laugh. Guilt was a powerful weapon and Lady Lavinia Keswick brandished it like a master.

“Well,” he said, rising to his feet, “I’m tired. I think I’ll retire now.” He leaned down and kissed his mother’s forehead, catching the subtle scent of mint and rose water that never failed to comfort him.

“Sleep well, dear,” she said. “And don’t forget to take your kitten with you.”

“She isn’t my—” The words died the moment his gaze landed on the tiny ball of fluff trotting after him, her tiny paws silent on the coverlet. She looked up at him expectantly and his heart melted a little. A masculine sort of melting, of course.

With a resigned chuckle, he leaned down and scooped the kitten up before turning for the door. “Good night, Mother.”

“Good night, darling.”

Shutting the door softly behind him, Griffin paused in the corridor and glanced down at the purring little mongrel in his arms. He shook his head and sighed.

Damn, but he was a soft touch.