Prince of Ravenscar (Sherbrooke Brides 11)

“Yes, of course, cats. My two princesses, Maybelle and Penelope, are small and white, and each one so sure of her own superiority I many times have to beg them to sleep with me. But eventually they come to bed and wrap themselves around my neck, or snuggle in behind my knees.”

“Wouldn’t it be rather crowded?”

“Crowded? What do you mean?”

Roxanne said in a distant voice, “I have heard it said you have mistresses, my lord. What do your ladies think of your cats sleeping around your neck?”

He said, “Wherever did you hear such a thing, Roxanne?”

She heard his voice change, deepen, grow more austere. She shrugged. “It seems to be common knowledge. You, my lord, are known as a man of the world, as well as a man of possible other worlds as well, given your avoidance of the sun.”

“Isn’t it also common knowledge that mistresses never sleep in a gentleman’s house?”

Roxanne rose, dusted her hands on her skirts. She looked him straight in the eyes. “However should I know that?”

He waved a hand. “You are twenty-seven years old, you were raised in society, albeit the salons of York, and I don’t believe you’ve ever even visited a convent. Ah, enough of that. I asked Sophie if you preferred cats or dogs, and she told me you worshipped cats as well. Is this tru

e?”

“Yes. I miss Mathilda and William dreadfully. However, my father also adores cats. I wouldn’t doubt they are warming him at night now that I’ve deserted them. Where are Maybelle and Penelope?”

He pulled her up, drew her hand through his arm. “My housekeeper at Holly Hill spoils them shamelessly both when I am there and when I am not. Let’s walk to the cliff edge and observe the movement of the waves on the shore.”

The breeze was balmy, the day cloudy enough so that Devlin was not constrained to wear a hat. Roxanne saw a dozen palm trees and couldn’t help smiling. This place was amazing, and there was something of magic in the air. Finally, she couldn’t help herself. “Do you still love Corrie Sherbrooke?”

Devlin stopped dead in his tracks, turned to face her. “Do you know, my dear, that inquiry throttles all attempts at sparkling conversation in my throat? Why ever would you ask me that?”

Why, indeed? Shutting her mouth occasionally might be a wise course to follow, but she didn’t. “I believe you asked her uncle to marry her.”

“Did I? That was more than six months ago. Perhaps, at the time, upon reflection, I felt compelled to give her a choice, and she made it. She is a married woman now, so revoltingly happy with James it makes me shake my head in wonder. Yes, yes, I know he looks like a god, but who cares? Who wants a face that makes ladies swoon in your path?”

“I cannot believe you said that.”

Devlin sighed. “I can’t either, truth be told.”

“You are not a troll, Devlin.”

“No?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

“You are even more handsome than your half-uncle, and he is renowned for his good looks.”

“His mother started that rumor.”

She grinned up at him shamelessly.

He said, “Now, my girl, look out over the channel. It is calm today, so you know the fire was set at strategic spots in the Dower House, since there is no wind to whip up flames.”

“It seems a paltry attempt at revenge,” Roxanne said slowly, tasting the salt air in her mouth. “I mean, why the Dower House and not a direct assassination attempt?”

“Richard tried that in London last week, so Julian told me. But he wasn’t really serious, Julian said, because he knew he’d be hanged, so I suppose, as a man of little imagination, he was forced to destroy the Dower House as a sort of token slap in the face when he knew Julian would be riding here to Ravenscar. However, I do believe this time he has pushed my uncle to the brink.”

“The brink? Surely you don’t believe Julian will shoot him?”

“Who knows?” He shrugged.

She wanted to punch him but managed to control herself. “Look at those stone walls. Why are they there?”

“Those are protective walls so the four spaniels aren’t tempted to abscond to Land’s End and chase rooks. The run leads directly from Julian’s estate room to the cliffs. Well, some cliffs—they’re not at all high above the beach. The dogs can dash about here, daring each other to leap off the cliff, which wouldn’t hurt them, even if they leapt.”