The Favor_The Blooms of Norfolk by Angelina Jameson

Author:Angelina Jameson [Jameson, Angelina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Iris made good on her plan to find a pet for Rose. Lottie was astonished when her sister returned from an outing the next day with a male Springer Spaniel puppy.

Lottie and Iris waited in the morning room while a maid fetched their sister. When Rose entered the room and spied the pup in Iris’s arms she let out a little scream.

“He is gorgeous,” Rose crooned softly as Iris handed her the puppy.

“Chastain’s father has too many dogs.” Iris winked at Lottie as Rose cradled the pup. “This puppy was the smallest of a new litter.”

“He’s ours?” Rose looked up at Iris with shining eyes.

Iris nodded. “If you promise to care for him, he’s yours. Goodness knows I have enough to do right now without having to care for a dog.”

“Puppies are a lot of work,” Lottie added. “You must make sure he gets enough exercise.”

“I promise to take very good care of him.” Rose rubbed her face along the back of the squirming mass in her arms. “I will ask Cook for something to feed him. I need to think of the perfect name.”

The girl skipped away from her sisters with the puppy. Iris reclined on a chaise. Lottie was seated near her on a high-backed chair with a good view of the garden.

“You’ve had an eventful morning.”

Iris nodded. “Chastain’s father was going to keep the pup. He found homes for the rest of the litter. I told him our need was far greater than his.”

“It was kind of him to give you the dog.”

“He desperately wants to be closer to his son and knows I am the bridge he needs.”

Lottie sat quietly for a moment. “Tea?”

Iris sighed. “No, thank you. I simply want to sit here awhile. That puppy whined and barked all the way home in the carriage. I’m enjoying the quiet.”

Hopefully the dog would distract Rose from any attachment she felt for her dancing master. Or for Lord Peake. Why was she thinking about the viscount again? She shook herself.

“What is it? Has your migraine returned?”

Lottie felt a moment of guilt for having fibbed about her health last evening. She’d merely wanted to be alone. An evening reading Every Man His Own Gardener had set her to rights.

“I’m quite well. I was wondering what our brother will make of the addition to his household.”

Iris grinned. “I will simply tell Ambrose the truth: it was Chastain’s idea.”

“Chastain is a very good husband to you,” she replied, her words sounding wistful to her own ears.

“You sound melancholy, dear sister. Do not fret. You will find a husband in good time.”

Was she melancholy? If she was, it wasn’t for lack of a husband. She did not wish to wed simply because her sister had. “I will marry when and only when my heart tells me to do so.”

“I have no doubt of it. Keep your eyes open. Love can be found if you are open to it.”

She had no answer for her sister’s platitudes.

“I am glad Lord Peake is riding to Marcourt tomorrow,” Iris said.

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