Page 66 of To Steal an Earl
“It wasn’t for me,” the boy halfheartedly admitted. “Kitty was extra hungry because of her babies.”
“Kitty?” Sophie asked.
“Babies?” Nash repeated. “What are you talking about?” The only cats in residence were those in the stables, and the boy had not been out there today.
“Kitty is my new cat from Arby’s place. His papa was going to kill her and her babies, so me and Arby saved them. She’s under the stair because the other cats in the stable acted like they were going to be mean to her when we tried to take her there.”
“How long have you had her under the stair?” Sophie asked.
Nash wrinkled his nose, imagining the mess that a trapped mother cat and her kittens would create.
“Three days now,” Solomon said. “I loosened a board on the back wall so she could come and go through the servants’ hall. I didn’t want her thinking she was in prison or nothing.” The lad grinned. “She caught a mouse yesterday and made Miss Josie squeal and drop all the folded linens.”
“Where in the world was Nanny while you were doing all this? Where was Miss Amy?” Sophie fixed a bewildered frown on her son.
“Nanny’s getting kind of old, Maman. She naps a lot.” His grin widened to a proud smile. “And Miss Amy likes cats too, and thinks Arby’s dad is an arse.”
“Solomon.” Nash arched a brow at his son. “We do not use vulgar words in the presence of ladies.”
“Sorry, Maman.”
“Apologize to your sister too,” Sophie advised.
“Sissy isn’t a lady. She’s a—”
“Solomon!” Nash pointed at the boy. “I think it best that you go to sleep now before you get yourself into even more trouble.”
“Sorry, Papa.” The lad obediently pulled his covers up under his chin and faked a yawn. “I love you, Maman. I love you, Papa.” He turned his head toward his sister’s cot and raised his voice. “I even love you, Sissy.”
“Don’t love you at all, Solly. You got me in twouble.”
“Charlotte Lavinia Sistene.” Sophie huffed a weary sigh. “You were not in trouble at any time for the missing dessert. Now forgive your brother and tell him you love him, because you know you do.”
“Love you, Solly.” Sissy’s tone denied the sentiment, and made Nash bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
“Papa and I love you both. Now to sleep, my angels,” Sophie said as they moved toward the door.
Nash extinguished all the lights except for the gentle night lamp glowing on the mantel. Then he and Sophie left the nursery.
As Solomon had earlier stated, in the attached sitting room, Nanny was sound asleep in her chair by the fire, but Miss Amy was wide awake and reading in the chair opposite her.
“If they call out, fetch us,” Sophie said as she and Nash crossed the room.
“As always, my lady.” Miss Amy nodded, then looked back down at her book.
As soon as they stepped out into the hall, and Nash had closed the door behind them, he started chuckling and couldn’t stop. Sophie joined in with a fit of snorting giggles, covering her mouth to keep from getting too loud.
“Your son,” she said, her shoulders trembling with uncontrollable mirth.
“Your daughter,” he countered, pulling her into his arms and rocking from side to side. “Gads, I couldn’t be any happier if I tried, my love. You and our children make my life joyously complete.”
She leaned back and gazed up at him with a loving smile. “I love you, my joyous husband.”
“And I love you more, my precious swan.” And he sealed the vow with a kiss.
The End
