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Chapter 24

Celeste was just putting the finishing touches on a fresh arrangement of white lilies, baby’s breath and ferns, when the Duke strode in with Benny and Brodie at his heels. He had been out for a walk, and carried the scent of fresh morning air and crushed grass about him.

Celeste bobbed a curtsey, then set the oblong brass flowerpot on its pedestal in the corner opposite the fireplace, and turned to the Duke. “Good morning, Your Grace. Good morning, Benny and Brodie.”

“You know their names!” The Duke looked pleased.

“I met them a few days ago when Mr. McOwen had them up in the attic, practicing at catching rats. They are such beautiful little dogs! May I offer them each a treat?”

“Of course!” Jonathan smiled, a boyish, happy smile that made Celeste’s heart turn over with delight just looking at it.

Celeste fished in her apron pocket and brought out a wrapped package. From it, she extracted two fried dough balls. She bent down and offered one to each of the terriers in turn. They gobbled them down, then Benny sat on his haunches and waved his paws in the air, while Brodie chased her tail, circling around three times, before she sat down and looked at Celeste expectantly.

“I’m sorry,” she told them, “That was all I had. You’ll have to wait until I get some more.”

“I hope they did not just eat your breakfast, Miss Singer.”

“Oh, no. I learned this from Miss Sedgewick. Since Mr. McOwen has been taking them about the house, we’ve been far less troubled by mice and rats. She has the cook make up fried dough balls to give them for treats, and we all keep at least two in our pockets to reward them.”

“Oh, my!” Jonathan laughed. “I’m glad you only gave them one each. If everyone is rewarding them, they shall soon be fat as little butterballs.”

“I don’t think they hold still long enough to get fat.” Celeste sank down on her knees, and held out a hand to each of the pups. They dashed up to her, putting their paws on her knees, and wiggling in an ecstasy of joy at being given attention.

“You certainly have a way with them.” Jonathan watched her as she petted the terriers and scratched their ears.

“They are so sweet, it would be hard not to like them.” Celeste snuggled each one in turn, then stood up, shaking out her skirts. “But perhaps it is a good thing that I am wearing my plant tending apron.” She looked down ruefully at the pawprints and fur on the white fabric.

“Quite so,” Jonathan laughed. “I have often thought that dress makers and tailors should create pet-colored clothing so that one need not worry about brushing off before going into company.”

“What an amiable thought.” Celeste flashed a smile at him. “Perhaps you should suggest it.”

“I shall certainly keep it in mind,” Jonathan said. “Perhaps I will suggest a riding costume to match my horse, as well.”

“Do horses shed, Your Grace?”

“Oh, they do, indeed, Miss Singer. Fortunately, the grooms usually have most of the loose hair brushed off before I get on my horse and the saddle blanket further protects my breeches.”

“Perhaps, then, it is only for dogs that one needs matching clothing,” Celeste said.

“I have an aunt who keeps a large quantity of cats in her home. It is my observation that her cats shed a great deal more than dogs, and they require more cleaning after. Fortunately for her, my grandfather gave her an excellent bequest at his death and her man of business is a canny old soul who has done very well by her in the way of investments.”Better than I have done. Perhaps I should take lessons.“Since her income is generous, she has no problem hiring plenty of servants to clean up after her cats.”

“What an amazing thought. We had just such a lady in our village, but she had no servants, so the cats all lived out of doors. They could be quite a nuisance. Some people whispered that she was a witch, but I think she was just a lonely old woman.”

“Most likely. Do you like cats, Miss Singer?”

“Sometimes. It really depends on the cat. I’ve not had much of a chance to be around a lot of animals. Mama and Papa always said that it cost a lot to keep an animal. We had a goat once.”

While Jonathan digested this bit of information, and tried to think of something suitable to say in return, Betty knocked on the doorframe of the study. “Begging your pardon, Your Grace,” she said. “The Duchess is asking for Miss Singer.”

“Of course, Miss McGuire. Miss Singer, I will not keep you any longer.”

As the two maids hastened away, Jonathan watched them go. Celeste’s slender frame in her well-fitted uniform was a strong contrast to Miss McGuire’s stockier form, as was her neatly braided blonde knot a contrast to the other maid’s frizzy ginger curls that were constantly escaping her braids.

She is just amazing. She has taken to the dogs and they to her, even though she never had a pet. She gets on well with the other maids, and Mr. Hammonds relies on her. What did we do without her? What will I do if she leaves?

Jonathan sighed.I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Well, no amount of sighing will keep up the estate records, nor will it discover who it is that has been despoiling the maids and sometimes hurting them.He picked up his pen and began entering figures into neat columns.

Then he paused. What was the name of his aunt’s man of business? She and her household lived in Edinburgh.Perhaps the old fella could give me some pointers on recouping my losses. I think I should write him a letter. He might even be able to give me some pointers on managing females since he seems to have managed my aunt all this time. But then, he isn’t married to her.