Lord Romney's Exquisite Widow by Jenni James

the preposterous dimple. She should say yes just to toss his courage back a peg or two. Wed before the week was through, indeed! And what would his mother say? "You, my handsome Lord Hamson, may take yourself and your daring, nonsensical dreams away. I am positive Sophia will be home soon, and the earl. Heaven knows I have enough explaining to do, what with the kitten you have brought over. So away with you! Shoo! And leave your silly imaginings home the next time you come." She stood up and cuddled the beast into her shoulder.
    He rose to his feet, that dashing smile in place. "So am I to come again?"
    "Of course." She glanced up at him. "How else am I to put poison in your tea?"
     
     
     

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
     
     
    Joshua came bounding into Catherine's room about an hour or so later. He had only just then returned from an outing with his nurse and was still in his overcoat. "Is it true? Is it true?" he asked as he jumped upon her bed, his dark curls bouncing as he headed toward her. "Cook says you broughted home a kitty! Did you broughted home a kitty?"
    After Cook had fed the kitten some milk and bits of fish, Catherine had carried the little guy up to her room. She had been reading her Gothic novel on her bed and snuggled the tiny creature until he had fallen asleep. "Hush—you will wake him." She attempted to be stern, yet could not help but smile at Joshua’s excited features. She pointed to her side. "He is tucked away in these blankets, but you must be quiet if you would like to see him."'
    "Oh, I would so much!" he exclaimed, and then whispered with his finger to his mouth. "Shh ... I bested be very quiet now so I can sees the kitty."
    "That is a good idea."
    Nurse knocked upon the open door of the room and curtsied. "Sorry, my lady. He ran the whole way from the kitchens and up to you before I had a chance to catch my breath from the park. Master Joshua is becoming so quick."
    "Not to worry, Miss Annie. He is fine. I will call for you when we are done. You are welcome to enjoy yourself for a little bit."
    "Thank you, my lady." She curtsied and then smiled dotingly on Joshua before departing.
    "Can I sees him now?" he asked as he adorably swayed back and forth on the bed in excitement.
    Catherine slowly removed the covers, and both of them grinned when they saw the little kitten stretch within his warm cocoon and then blink his eyes and mew in greeting.
    "He is the mostest perfected kitten in the whole big world!" Joshua lunged forward, but Catherine held out her arm.
    "Just a moment, dearest. Let your grandmama pick him up like so. Now sit back on your bottom and hold out your hands. Yes, that is correct. Now I shall place him very gently in your arms. Do not shake him, or he will startle. You must be very, very gentle. Yes, just as you are doing now. Very good, Joshua."
    "Where did you getted him?" the boy asked in awe as the little tyke began purring against his chest.
    "An old friend of mine brought him to cheer me up."
    Joshua's worried eyes met hers. "Did you needed cheering up, Gran'mama?"
    How did she answer such sweet innocence? Catherine reached over and ruffled his dark-brown hair. "No, not anymore. That is the magic of kittens. They take away all sadness and replace it with happy, joyful feelings."
    "’Tis true! I am already so much happier now that I am holding him. What’s his name? Does he have a name yet? Oh, Gran'mama! He looks just like the picture you sewed me. How did you know how to make the picture? He is bestest. Just the most bestest kitty in the whole world! I love him so much!"
    Her heart nearly burst at the sight of her dearest sweetheart loving her new cat so eagerly. "I do not have a name for him yet. Should we think of one together?"
    "He is gray, and I bet he is faster than me."
    She chuckled. "Quite possibly, though I hope for both of our sakes, he is not." Her brows furrowed. "Would you like to name him Gray, then?"
    "Oh, no. Gray is not a good word for a cat, Gran'mama. Gray is