Holly, Mistletoe, and Midnight Snow: A Romantic Opposites Attract Mystery & Suspense Family Saga Regency Romance (Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides Book 4) by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron [Cameron, Collette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance® LLC
Published: 2024-03-18T18:30:00+00:00

Seven

TEN IMPOSSIBLY LONG HEARTBEATS LATER

Once more, Lady Althelia Westbrook surprised Owen with her openness and approachability.

She patted a spot beside her, which he eyed dubiously. As if sensing his doubt that he could fit in the confined space, she scooted over. “If you extend your legs, you should fit.”

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for tea?” He folded onto the straw-strewn wooden planks, then gathered the little mite from yesterday, now well fed, into his hand. The puppy wriggled around until Owen tucked him beneath his chin.

He’d never owned a dog, but the idea grew on him with such ferocity, much like he must acquire Sampson, he didn’t know himself anymore.

Althelia pulled a face.

“I could say the same about you. I’ve already changed, but I thought I’d steal a few minutes with the puppies. Mama and Papa are occupied with Lucius and Clodovea, and I vow I heard a coach arrive just as I entered. Probably Adolphus, a day early.” She stroked the puppy’s tiny head with her forefinger. “He’s the Marquess of Edenhaven and the future duke.”

“Yes, Leonidas explained your father adopted your mother’s two sons from a previous marriage before your parents went on to have six more children.” He bent his strong mouth upward. “I’m an only child.”

“Did you want siblings?” She cocked her head, her poignant azure gaze searching his face. “I cannot fathom my life without my brothers, though Mama might’ve obliged me by having another girl. My brothers are not unkind, but they call me Ally-Cat when they know I detest the nickname and often go off and do manly things together, which I’m not permitted to do.”

Leaning against the planks, which squeaked in protest at the pressure of his weight, Owen crossed his ankles as he cuddled the pup. “Leonidas tells me you can outshoot all of them and are a formidable rival at archery and billiards.”

“He told you that? Well, he fibbed because Lucius and Layton can best me at pistols.” She gave him a saucy grin. “Barely.”

Precocious minx.

Stroking the tiny puppy, he couldn’t contain a droll chuckle. “Does it bruise their manly pride?”

“I don’t think so.” Shrugging, Althelia shook her head and flicked a strand of straw from her gown. Her frock would likely bear wrinkles from sitting on the floor and perhaps even a stain, yet she seemed completely unconcerned about her appearance. “I’m never sure whether they are proud or exasperated with me.”

“Definitely proud. Of that, I have no doubt.” He extended his other hand for Inez to sniff and scratched behind her ears when she wagged her tail in approval.

“I imagine my family is quite overwhelming to you, Owen, and they aren’t all here yet. Last Christmas, several of Papa’s brothers—he has five—and their families joined us. It was utter chaos but glorious too. Grandmama was in heaven.”

Glancing upward, Owen scratched his jaw.

It wasn’t a secret, but he didn’t generally volunteer his tawdry origins. “I’m the bastard son of an earl and the governess he seduced. My mother never married.

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