The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(75)

He threw the cloth toward the basin, and climbed into bed, cuddling next to her again. A contentment he’d never experienced before filled him. “When shall we wed?”

“In the next week or so.” She lifted her head and smiled at him. “I do not think we’ll be allowed to marry before then. Fortunately for us, Matt wants to get Daisy back to Stanwood before she whelps.”

Con tried to imagine a litter of puppies running around Stanwood House and laughed. “Thank the deities for pregnant dogs.”

“Indeed.” Charlotte’s lips curved into a smile. “I know when we went to pick out Daisy she had ten brothers and sisters.”

Con would have to tell Worthington he and Charlotte wanted a puppy. “I’m surprised he decided to breed them while you were all in Town.”

“Well, that is not exactly what happened.” She began to laugh. “As a matter of fact, he had a pen built for Daisy to keep Duke away from her.”

That should have done the trick. At least it had with most of his hunting dogs. “What happened?”

“Mary and Theo.” Charlotte chuckled. “It was clear to them that the Danes wanted to be together, and they thought it wouldn’t hurt anything if they let Daisy out.”

He joined her laughter. “My mother once had a pug dog who developed an infatuation for one of my hunters. Naturally, we separated the bitches when it was their time. One day a stable hand found the pug had dug his way under the stall, and the hunting dog was pulling him by his ears out of the tunnel.”

Con kissed her as she went into whoops. “I’m sorry. I should remember we cannot be loud.”

“Not at the moment. When we are in our own house we shall do as we wish.”

Her eyes began to close, but he wanted her attention for a moment longer. “We shall have puppies someday.”

Something landed on the bed and began to purr. He had forgotten about the cat.

“And kittens,” Charlotte murmured in a sleepy voice.

Con pulled the rest of the covers up over them. A second later, the cat curled up next to Charlotte on his chest. He stroked it, marveling at the dense soft fur. “And kittens.”

This is what his life would be like with Charlotte. Dogs, cats, their children, stray children, and other assorted people, and a love that he could never have imagined.

Con couldn’t wait for it to begin in earnest. As soon as they returned to Town, he’d procure a special license.

Hours later, light stole through the slit in the curtain, waking him. He lay there listening to Charlotte’s soft breathing, marveling that he had her in his life forever.

Mine.

No matter what happened, she would always be with him.

The kitten stretched and patted his chest. Its large, yellow eyes seemed to study his.

“I suppose you need something.” He stroked the cat again, and found himself to be inordinately pleased when it began to purr. “We shall break our fast soon.”

What he really wanted to do was to make love to Charlotte again, but Con wasn’t quite sure what would happen if he made the kitten move. He definitely didn’t want to get clawed. She would probably be sore as well. Tonight would be soon enough.

Sounds came from his room, disturbing his peace. Damn. Cunningham was already up and about. They had to leave the inn early to return Miss Cloverly, but surely it couldn’t be late enough for that.

Con slipped out of bed, gathered his clothing, and opened the door to his bedchamber.

His valet’s eyes might have widened, but he couldn’t swear to it. “You may wish me happy. Lady Charlotte and I shall wed next week.”

“The best of news, my lord. Congratulations.” Cunningham finished laying out Con’s kit for the day. “Breakfast shall be served soon.”

Two doors opened and closed, and he resisted the urge to wipe his brow. A few moments longer, and he would have been found in her bed. Somehow that was infinitely more troubling than his valet knowing he’d slept with her.

About a half hour later, he entered the parlor. Lady Merton, who had told him to call her Dotty, was pouring tea for Merton, and Charlotte was just taking a seat at the table. The kittens were rolling around the floor, not paying attention to anyone else.

Con stepped around them, taking the chair next to Charlotte. “Good morning.”

She smiled, a sleepy expression on her beautiful face. “Good morning to you. How do you like your tea?”

“Milk and two lumps of sugar.” He noticed a second pot of tea next to her elbow. Taking the cup she handed him, he sipped. “Perfect.”

“That is another thing we have in common,” she said, fixing her own cup. “I’m going to take Collette for a short walk before we leave. I wasn’t able to work with her at all yesterday.”

A vague feeling of uneasiness slithered down his spine. Something akin to the one he had experienced when he’d started this adventure with her.

One of the men who had abducted her was still missing. But he did not dare forbid her to go. She would not take that at all well. Nor could he hover over her. He could, though, watch her from the balcony that overlooked the front of the inn. “Will you do me a favor and remain in the yard?”

She nodded and swallowed the bite of toast she’d been chewing. “I shall stay on the side, out of the way of the carriages and horses.”