Page 64 of Aurelia

“Come, let us eat.” The earl led the way to the dinner table.

Guustin waved away the footman and seated his sister, while the earl pulled out Aurelia’s chair.

While Celsa scowled at her half-brother just the way she did with everyone else, Aurelia could not help noticing the rosy blush that tinted her cheeks when she did so.

She fervently hoped the girl wasn’t infatuated with Captain Walker. While it would be understandable—he was exceedingly handsome and charming—it would be unfortunate given their familial relationship.

“Guustin brought back several crates of specimens from America,” Arthur said, reminding Aurelia that there was a third male at the table. “You should come and look at the new botany samples as many are much better preserved than the ones you’ve had to work with.”

“There are also several more taxidermied samples—although they are not as good as Arthur’s,” his lordship added loyally, earning a smile from the man in question.

“I have something for you as well, Celsa,” Captain Walker said, smiling at his prickly sister.

“I have no interest in dead animals or wilted plants,” Celsa retorted.

Captain Walker laughed. “It is neither of those things. You will have to see for yourself. It—or she, rather—is in one of the stalls out in the stables.”

Celsa dropped her spoon with a clang, no longer surly or hostile. “You brought a horse all the way from America?”

Lord Crewe and his son laughed.

“Not a horse, Little One,” her brother said.

“Oh.”

“Such becoming gratitude,” the earl said, giving his daughter a look of exasperated amusement. “Perhaps you should give your gift to somebody more appreciative, Guustin?”

“No! I want it,” Celsa said hastily. “Thank you, Guustin,” she added when her father cut her a severe look.

“Do you want to come with me and see what Guustin brought?” Celsa asked, her smiling face and sparkling eyes making her look exceptionally pretty.

Aurelia was touched by the friendly gesture. “Of course,” she said, even though she had planned to look at the new samples.

For a change, the three men stayed after the meal to have port and cigars when Aurelia and Celsa left the dining room.

“Shall we go upstairs and fetch our—”

“We don’t need cloaks; it is warm out.” Celsa grabbed Aurelia’s hand and dragged her. “Come along! Don’t be a slow poke.”

Aurelia laughed, picked up her skirt with her free hand, and tried to keep up with the younger woman, marveling yet again how Celsa could be a surly adolescent one moment and a spirited child the next.

“Silas!” Celsa shouted the moment they entered the ancient, rambling stone structure. “Silas!”

The stablemaster came shuffling down a narrow corridor which Aurelia knew led to his quarters. “Ye’ll wake the deid, me lady,” he groused. “What de ye want?”

“Guustin said you had something for me.”

“Did he then? Hmm. Nae, I canny think what—”

“Silas.”

He chortled. “Aye, this way, afore you make me deaf in t’other ear.” He led them toward a stall meant for pregnant mares. “There she be, Lady Celsa.”

She was a fluffy brown dog just on the cusp between puppyhood and adulthood.

Celsa gave a yelp of joy. “Why, she looks like a poodle crossed with a sheep!” She dropped to her knees in the straw, heedless of her finery. “Come here, you precious darling.”

The dog gave an excited yip and shot into Celsa’s arms. A frenzy of face-licking and delighted laughter ensued.