An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(42)

Her mother nodded slowly. “I had not thought of that. People used to come and see your father all the time, and at all hours.”

“I know.” She thought a moment, unsure of what to suggest. “Perhaps someone we know will call today. Shall we go downstairs together and see?”

“I don’t want to watch you toiling over the viscount’s papers again.”

“I am sure that is dull for you,” Theodora murmured apologetically. What fascinated Theodora about business and finance had always bored her mother. “How about instead, we take tea outside? I noticed a small table and chairs in the walled courtyard at the back of the house that no one seems to use. I’m sure Lord Maitland won’t mind if we make it our own for a little while.”

“I’d like that.”

Mama hurried to wipe her tears away, and together they headed toward the main staircase. As they reached the head of it, they heard Lord Maitland in conversation with someone in his study. She had not known he was meeting with anyone today. Curious, Theodora listened carefully.

“You know you are a very pretty lady,” he said, chuckling softly. “Come here, my dear.”

Theodora grimaced. Flirting with another woman in the study? Where she worked? Theodora would put an end to that sort of nonsense immediately. She entered the room without knocking.

“Ah, there you are, Dalton,” Lord Maitland exclaimed. “I was just about to send for you.”

“Were you?” Theodora looked about, but there was only Lord Maitland occupying the space.

“Come meet my new friend,” he begged, gesturing her urgently toward the high-backed chair nearest him.

Theodora rounded the seat—and saw a small black puppy had been placed on the cushion, and it was chewing the brim of Lord Maitland’s hat.

“It’s a dog.”

“Very clever of you to notice,” he said, laughing. “I found this little waif near the stables, and since she was in danger of being trampled, I thought to save her.”

Theodora wasn’t fond of dogs, having been nipped by them as a child too often, but her mother had always doted on them. “Mother, come and see what Lord Maitland found outside today,” Theodora called.

Her mother came in unsmiling, but brightened immediately when she saw the black pup slobbering all over Lord Maitland’s hat. “Oh,” she cried out. “You shouldn’t let her do that,” she chided the viscount.

The man merely smiled. “Do you know about dogs, Mrs. Dalton?”

“I do indeed. I haven’t had one for a long time.” Mama reached for the pup and scooped it up against her chest. The pup licked her face excitedly, and she laughed. “What a darling little creature. Her coat is so soft. Is she yours?”

“I think she might prefer to be yours,” Quinn suggested, scratching the pup behind the ears. “I had a groom bathe some of the dirt out of her coat but there’s likely more than a house pet should have still there. She’s a bit of a lightweight, too. Someone needs to care for her. Would you like her, madam?”

“I would take very good care of her, my lord.” Mama stifled a sniff and then pressed a kiss to the dog’s wriggling head. “Thank you.”

“She’ll need a name if she’s to stay in the house,” he suggested next.

All of her attention focused on the excited pup, Mama nodded. “Soot. Yes, that is a good name for her.”

Lord Maitland threw Theodora a pleased smile, and her heart melted. He’d done just the right thing to cheer her mother up. How clever of him to realize Mama needed something special to distract her from grief, too. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him.

He winked and then stepped to her mother’s side. “I’m sure you and Soot will become the best of friends in no time,” he murmured before leaving them. “The walled courtyard is just the place for her to play.”





Chapter 16





Quinn startled from a deep, dreamless sleep at the unwelcome sound of pounding on the front door and Mrs. Dalton’s new pup launching into an excited bout of barking. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he stretched his arm out across the bed, expecting to encounter Theodora, only to find he was alone and her side of the bed was cold.

He sighed that she was gone too soon. He smoothed his bed quickly so it would not appear he’d had company during the night and sat up. He hadn’t felt Theodora leave him, but he would see her soon enough. There was a lingering fragrance of Theodora’s perfume in the room, and he breathed it deeply. Contentment trickled through him, and he fought the feeling.

He had the perfect arrangement, but should not grow used to it. Theodora was a remarkable lover and a dedicated secretary, too. He was glad she’d found her way to his bed. She was the perfect distraction. His thoughts did not linger on Adele or her betrayal once he had Theodora in his arms. His anger at his father had faded only a little. He had been used by people he trusted and he had survived the pain because of Theodora.

On reflection, he’d lost little from his life in parting ways with Adele Blakely’s, but he’d gained clarity.

Love and lust were quite different, and he only needed one in his life. Lust was simpler. Desire, when fulfilled so thoroughly, as his affair with Theodora proved, was enough.

He climbed out of bed feeling well rested, despite the fleeting moments of sleep he’d snatched between bouts of lovemaking last night, to open a window and take in the view outside.