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“I was admiring your coat so thoroughly, I almost missed my husband’s efforts.” Beatrice toyed with the cuff of Tabitha’s new pelisse.
“It is a Lady Coleman original.” Tabitha ran her free hand down the front and slipped it into the pocket. “It is also very orange.”
“Notorangeorange—it is like the deep auburn stripes of a tiger,” Felicity said. “If that is not an insult to your duke.” She smiled at Alwyn, who smiled in return.
“Jemima made Alwyn suits of clothes that he can dress himself in. And she made me several very practical…pieces of clothing? That I am to change about, from one ensemble to the other? I have never seen such a thing.”
“We are fortunate in our friends, whose skills enrich all our lives,” Beatrice said.
Felicity clapped her hands. “As my skill lies in organization, I must organize a larger abode for you both.”
Tabitha bit her lip just as Alwyn slid his arm around her waist. She did not think couples went about expressing affection like this, but she suspected her duke was a power unto himself.
In any event, Lowell took one of his duchess’s hands in his and twined their fingers, and Osborn absently played with the furbelows on his wife’s bonnet.
“We will not be stopping here, my friend,” Tabitha said.
“There are souls in the world who need my duchess’s skills.” Alwyn went so far as to give her a squeeze.
“We cannot express our gratitude enough,” Lowell began.
Osborn huffed. “We, again, Alfred?”
“I speak for my duchess, Artie,” Lowell said, “and for all in my pack, if not beyond.”
“Indeed.” Georgie descended upon them. “The Duke and Duchess of Llewellyn have the gratitude of the Crown.”
Oh, that was rather a lot to hear for the first time, and Tabitha leaned into her mate’s side. He was well able to take the weight.
“In return, you two may express your gratitude,” the prince went on, “by liberating any of our kind who are trapped under sorcery such as that lady author practiced.”
“I would know that she is not going to slither out of your grasp,” Alwyn said.
“The snake Shifter is securely held, and I have a business of ferrets engaged in winkling out her connections and associates,” the prince assured him. “And thanks to your mate, that vile pendant is secured.”
“And we will be taking it upon ourselves to locate and liberate anyversipelleswho have fallen afoul of Drake’s menagerie before we go.” Tabitha could not wait to get there.
“Will you remain in London?” Felicity’s hope warmed her heart.
“We leave for France in three days and are for Sorrento, ultimately,” Tabitha said.
“I have heard only good about the place,” Alwyn said. “And there is a certain Italian cat whose acquaintance I wish to make.”
Lowell extended a hand to Alwyn, who took it and, beyond all expectation, pulled his peer into an embrace. Osborn joined in and patted both on the backs to the subdued delight of their duchesses. When they stepped back, Lowell said, “You may send any you find to us, if they do not choose to roam with you or need a place to rest until their pack or clowder or herd are found.”
“And a place will be held as a home for you here,” Felicity added, “whenever you wander back to us and for however long.”
Promises were made, of correspondence and visits, even as hugs were exchanged. A familiar hand touched her elbow, and Tabitha was drawn into her brother’s arms. Before she turned her head to Timothy’s shoulder, she saw Alwyn herd the others away.
“If I had to send you off with anyone, it would be His Grace,” Timothy said. “Your Grace.”
“That will take some getting used to.” Tabitha closed her eyes and clutched the back of her brother’s coat.
“I don’t know about that,” he joked, “you’ve always been high in the instep.”
Timothy made to release their embrace, but she shook her head. “I cannot look at you and keep my composure.”
“You and your blasted composure.” Despite his caustic tone, he tucked his face into her shoulder.
