Never Dance with a Marquess (The Never Series Book 2), Maggi Andersen [best short novels of all time TXT] 📗

In a smaller pen, ten pups, some gray, some light brown, one black, were squirming against their mother’s teats. They were small with fat pink bellies. “They are adorable,” Bella sighed gustily. “May I hold one?”

“Which one would you like, Miss Arabella?” Bevans asked.

“The tiniest. The gray puppy with the bit of white on its head.”

“That’s the runt of the litter,” Stevens said. “A bitch. She may not survive.”

Bella gave a squeal of outrage. “Oh, she must!”

Bevans went into the pen and picked his way through the swarm of eager puppies to remove the wriggling little dog which kept missing out on a feed. He brought the animal out and handed it to Bella.

The puppy quietened and nestled against Bella’s chest. She stroked its soft fur. “Can we take her to the kitchen to raise? We did this sometimes at Leeming Hall. Cook didn’t mind.”

“My chef and the kitchen cat won’t be too pleased,” Nicholas said, a smile in his eyes.

“But, Nicholas, see how she has to fight the bigger pups for milk,” Bella protested.

Carrie met Nicholas’s gaze in silent appeal. It would be perfect to give Bella a puppy to love. “Surely there is a way.”

Nicholas laughed and held up his hands. “Very well, but you must take care of the pup, Bella,” he said. “And if my chef resigns in disgust, you will go without a decent meal until I can find another.”

“I don’t mind,” Bella said with casual disregard for the rest of them.

“I would like the black one,” Jeremy announced.

“But Jeremy, you won’t be here often,” Carrie protested. “Besides, it’s rude to make such a demand.”

“You may have the black one. It will be kept for you until you return.” Nicholas turned to Carrie with a smile. “Do you also want a pup?”

She laughed. “No, but thank you.”

“Shall we walk back? Give the puppy back to Bevans, Bella. Bevans will bring them to the house in a day or so. I shall alert the housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips. We will need a place to keep them. We can’t have two puppies running riot in the house.”

Jeremy and Bella walked on ahead, their voices drifting back as they discussed names for their puppies.

“That was kind of you, Nicholas,” Carrie said. “Bella will miss me. The puppy gives her something to love.” She looked up at his face. “And we all need someone to love, do we not?”

“Indeed. I am very fond of my horse.”

She frowned at him. “But surely you must intend to marry and have children?”

“One day, perhaps.”

“Why do many men marry so late in life?”

He cocked an amused eyebrow, but his gaze roamed over her as if memorizing every part of her. “I imagine one waits to feel the urge.”

She drew in a slow breath. “Perhaps you dislike the idea of marriage.”

There was something lazily seductive in his smile, which quickened her pulse. “When I choose the lady, I shall be very keen on the idea.”

Was there a lady in London? The flash of jealousy was unlike her. “You’ll make a good father,” she said hastily.

“If I am not prematurely aged by your brother and sister, I suppose I would become quite an old hand at it,” Nicholas said wryly as Bella ran back along the path to reach them.

“My puppy’s name is Daisy because she has a white patch on her forehead in the shape of a flower, and Jeremy calls his Bandit because he looks like a rascal.”

“I approve of them both,” Nicholas said. “But I see Miss Scotsdale is waiting for you.”

Scotty stood on the porch, arms folded, looking purposeful.

“Oh. I forgot about my French lesson,” Bella said casually and ran over the path.

“Bella!” Carrie shook her head.

“Your sister is happy. Don’t be too hard on her.”

“I can see you will be entirely too lenient, Nicholas,” Carrie said to help banish the disturbing emotions churning her stomach. “I shall come home for a visit and find her running riot.”

“Bella needs to trust me. It’s best to allow her a certain amount of freedom. And we may not see you here for a while. Your circumstances are likely to change.” Nicholas clasped her arm as they stepped up on the porch.

She twisted away and glared up at him, seeking an emotional outlet for her uncomfortable feelings. “You think I’d forget those I care for most, Bella…and Jeremy...and…”

His lips lifted in a half-smile. “Not for a minute. And I have every intention of taking Bella to London to see you. I’ve promised your brother a trip to see the animals in the Tower.”

“Oh, you are good,” she said, pleased he’d offered. But was she also pleased because she would see him in London? She’d almost included him in those she cared about. Had he noticed? He’d shown no sign of it.

After Nicholas left her, Carrie gazed around at the walls of the great hall, the marble fireplace, the elegant furniture, the portraits. She had called this home. How foolish it wasn’t her home and never would be.

Carrie entered the music room while trying to come to terms with her troubling emotions. She shut the door and drew up the piano stool. Selecting a piece of music, her heart full of unfulfilled desire, she began to play.

Chapter Ten

As Nicholas climbed the stairs, the beautiful strains of Beethoven’s Fur Elise floated down from the music room. He made his way there and opened the door. So engrossed in the bagatelle, Carrie didn’t notice him. Caught by the depth of emotion she imbued in the music, he let out a breath he wasn’t even aware he was holding and slipped into a chair.

The stirring music swelled over the room. Inspired by Beethoven’s love for a woman, perhaps. Carrie’s slender fingers moved over the