Page 9 of The Milliner and the Griffin Rider

If Ranger responded, Chloe didn’t hear it, but Captain Harrison turned to look over his shoulder, deeper into the mews. Another griffin, only slightly shorter than Ranger, strolled toward them.

“And who is this beauty?” Chloe asked.

The new griffin gave a satisfied rumble that she couldn’t be sure if she heard with her ears or in her mind.

“This is Hunter, Fletcher’s companion,” the captain said, nodding his head at the new griffin.

Hunter had lighter gold fur than Ranger, and his feathers were a dark brown unalleviated by gold, giving him a distinctive contrast that drew the eye.

“They’re so similar, and yet so different,” Chloe marveled. “I read that girls are smaller in stature?” She gave the captain an inquiring look.

“Generally they are, but the difference isn’t as great as you might expect.” His tone finally warmed slightly. “The largest female I’ve encountered was larger than the smallest male.”

“And both the males and females sleep in nests?” She nodded toward the closest one. “They look more comfortable than I was imagining.”

The captain laughed. “The ones here are far more comfortable than any nest they could put together for themselves. Why do you think they put up with us?”

Chloe grinned, and the captain forgot himself for a moment and grinned back at her. Wanting to hold onto the mood, she quickly asked another question using the knowledge from her book, and the prickly captain unbent even further.

As long as he was talking about his beloved griffins rather than considering the offense of Chloe’s existence, he was perfectly personable. He showed her around the mews, pointing out more of the griffins, although no more chose to come out of their nests. He allowed her to feel the polished leather of the simple saddles they used for long flights, and to examine the various tools used for caring for the griffins.

There was no sight of any feed, however, and he confirmed that the humans didn’t feed the griffins, since they preferred to hunt for themselves.

“Except for treats.” He gave Ranger an indulgent smile that the griffin ignored. “Even creatures as magnificent as Ranger are susceptible to their favorite treats.”

Chloe chuckled delightedly. “And what about you?” she asked, forgetting herself for a moment. “What’s your favorite treat? Does the Duke keep you in his service by providing it at every meal?”

The captain instantly stiffened, his disapproving manner returning, and Chloe bit her tongue. She had relaxed too much during their conversation about the griffins. She couldn’t allow herself to forget her situation—she hadn’t actually come to see the griffins, however fascinating they might be. The captain didn’t like her—more than that, he suspected her—and she had a role to sell. One that would be best served by her swift departure.

She dropped into a shallow curtsy. “I’m grateful for the honor I’ve been afforded today. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

The captain merely nodded, his earlier warmth gone and his face cold.

“I’ll escort you to the hedge.” His tone left no room for protest, so she inclined her head in acceptance.

But she hadn’t expected Ranger to pad along with them, and from Captain Harrison’s brief look of surprise, he hadn’t expected it either. It was a silent journey, and though Chloe wracked her brain, she couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t earn her a cold, disapproving look.

To her disappointment, the captain led her back to the gap in the hedge she had used for entry. Apparently he really didn’t want her anywhere near the Duke or his guests.

She regarded the tight passage with a sigh, her eyes narrowing as she caught a quickly suppressed smile out of the corner of her eye. But when she turned to face the captain, he looked perfectly grave, his hand held out toward her, palm up.

She stared at it blankly, so he spoke.

“You’d better give me your hat. I’ll hand it through the hedge to you once you’re through.” His face remained grave, but his eyes were definitely laughing.

Chloe wanted to take offense and repudiate his offer, but she couldn’t help remembering the disaster of her passage through the hedge in the other direction.

“Very well, Captain.” She quickly removed the hat pins, keeping them in her hand as she gave the hat itself into his keeping. “Make sure you don’t catch it on any branches. I put a great deal of work into that.”

Her breath stopped at her thoughtless lapse, her eyes flashing to his. One of his brows twitched upward briefly, but he accepted the hat without comment.

She turned to Ranger. “Farewell to you, noble sir. You’ve honored me greatly.”

Farewell, Chloe. If you wish to visit again, I will allow it. You made Harrison laugh four times today.

Her eyes widened, and she glanced at the captain. His expression hadn’t changed, however—as if the griffin’s words had been only for her.

She curtsied to the creature. “It would be my honor to see you again, and I hope the day may come soon. Thank you for the invitation.” She had no idea what to do with the griffin’s final sentence, so she ignored it completely.