Page 71 of The Major's Mistake
As if to cement the new friendship, the puppy began squirming in Justin’s arms and running his pink tongue over all over the little boy’s face.
“Perhaps you might let Sykes take your new friend into the kitchen for some warm milk,” suggested Julian, noting that the animal’s tail was beginning to twitch in a rather ominous manner.
The valet nodded in understanding and quickly whisked the puppy out of the room to the accompaniment of its doleful howls. Fortunately, the accident that the marquess had foreseen might happen occurred just out of range of the expensive oriental carpet.
“Oh dear, I’m afraid you have no idea how much your peaceable existence is about to change,” murmured Miranda.
There was a decided twinkle in Julian’s eyes. “I daresay Sykes and I shall learn to cope with unruly animals and muddy children.”
Justin stared in some dismay at the state of his dress. “I didn’t mean to?—”
Julian ruffled the little boy’s hair. “I imagine I ruined a good deal more clothing in my time than you, lad. Now that I am to look after you and your Mama, you needn’t worry about that.”
Justin’s eyes grew wide. “Then it is true?” he ventured in a voice tinged with awe. “Mr. Sykes said that Mama and I were to come live with you, but I thought that, well, maybe he was just teasing me.”
Julian reached out and hoisted the boy onto his lap. “No, it was no jest. Does that meet with your approval?”
Justin wound his arms around the marquess’s neck, wreaking havoc with the precise folds of his neckcloth. “Oh, I should like it above all things!” There was a brief pause. “Can Aunt Sophia live with us too? And Angus and Jem?”
“They have all been invited,” answered Julian.
A blissful smile came to his lips as his head nestled against the marquess’s shoulder and his eyes drooped half shut. “Why, today has been just like one of the fairy tales you read to me, Mama, where all wishes come true,” he said in a sleepy voice.
“Indeed, lad. Indeed.” Julian hugged him closer while exchanging smiles with Miranda.
Lady Thornton put aside her glass and rose. “I think Justin has had quite enough excitement for one day—as have we all! I will take him home and leave the two of you some peace and quiet on your wedding night.” A flicker of sly amusement crossed her face. “I leave it to you, Miranda, to see that Julian does not suffer any ill-effects from all of the strenuous activities required of him today.”
The marquess repressed a chuckle. “You are a marvel, Aunt Sophia.”
“Yes, aren’t I?” she replied with a happy smile.
Sykes came back into the room, followed by Angus and Jem. Seeing that Julian was about to attempt getting to his feet, the small boy still in his arms, the big groom moved quickly to the marquess’s side.
“Here now, Yer Lordship, I’ll make sure to see the bairn safely home.”
Julian handed over his drowsy son without hesitation. “Yes, I know you will. My thanks, Dagleish. For everything.”
Angus bobbed his head in awkward acknowledgement.
“Did you find the stables to your liking?” inquired Julian after a moment.
Emboldened by the champagne, Jem couldn’t keep his own answer from bubbling out. “Cor, I ain’t never seen such prime horseflesh, and Will—that, is, Mr. Sykes—says that they don’t begin to hold a candle to what’s at Crestwood.” The awe in his voice was mirrored in the widened eyes that wandered over the rich carpets, the mahogany furniture and magnificent woodwork of the room.
“Do I take that as an acceptance to come work for me?”
“Oh, yes, sir!” He swallowed hard. “That is, if Lady Thornton don’t have need of me.”
Lady Thornton smiled. “As I plan to accept my niece and nephew’s kind invitation to spend a good part of the year with them, I fear I will have little call for a staff other than Wells and Mrs. Walters to keep up Talney Hall.”
Jem let out a sigh of relief.
“And you, Dagleish. What say you?” asked Julian.
The big groom took a moment to answer. “Well, I suppose I’d best say yes since someone needs te keep an eye on everyone—and to knock some sense into ye if you ever bring a tear to the eye of your wife again.”
“I assure you, I shall stay in line,” murmured the marquess. “Though I would take it kindly that you do not spread the word to the rest of my staff that you are in the habit of giving me a thrashing. Not at all the thing, you see. My other grooms are actually a bit in awe of me.”
Angus gave what for him was a broad grin. “I think we can come to some agreement on that.”
