Snowbound With the Notorious Rake by Sarah Mallory Page A

taken from their mother until they are weaned, but Jem says they don’t have buyers for them all. Could we have a puppy, Mama?’
    Sam was looking up at her. She tried to concentrate on what he had said, tried to put out of her mind the fact that Lawrence was here, in her home, filling her sitting room and her senses with his presence.
    ‘Please, Mama…it would be company for Grandmama!’
    The childish logic caused a ripple of amusement.
    ‘I have plenty to occupy me without adding a dog to the family, Sam,’ laughed Mrs Molland, ruffling his hair.
    ‘It is out of the question,’ declared Magnus. ‘If Mrs Molland truly requires a pet, she should consider a little lapdog. You do not have room here for a pointer.’
    ‘We have plenty of room,’ put in Rose, angered by his calm assumption of authority. ‘But I’m afraid we cannot have a puppy just at the moment.’
    The look of disappointment on Sam’s face tuggedat her heart and she dropped down beside him, putting her hands on his shoulders.
    ‘This is a bad time of year to bring home a puppy that needs so much exercise, my dear,’ she said gently. ‘Perhaps next time, when the weather is a little better and you are older.’
    His lip trembled, but before he could reply Mrs Molland held out her hand to him.
    ‘We can talk about this more in the morning. Come along now, Sam; bid your mama and our guests goodnight and I will take you up to bed.’
    Rose put her arms around him and kissed him, standing at his side as he made his bow.
    ‘Do not forget to thank Sir Lawrence for seeing you home,’ Magnus reminded him.
    ‘No, no, you have that the wrong way round,’ replied Lawrence seriously. ‘Sam showed me the way.’ He held out his hand. ‘Goodnight, Master Westerhill. I am greatly indebted to you.’
     
    ‘So, what business is it that keeps you in Mersecombe?’ enquired Magnus, when Sam and his grandmother had left the room.
    The gentlemen were settling into chairs close to the fire, but Rose moved to the window seat, still trying to collect her wits.
    ‘Oh, this and that,’ Sir Lawrence responded vaguely. ‘I return to Knightscote tomorrow, but I shall have to come back again once Wooler sends word that the dog is weaned.’
    Magnus leaned back in his chair. ‘You could send your man to collect it.’
    ‘I could, of course, but I enjoy finding my way about.’ He added apologetically, ‘I fear I have been far too reclusive during my previous visits to Exmoor.’
    ‘I do not see what you need with a dog when you are here for only a few weeks each year.’ Rose’s statement brought both men’s eyes upon her and Magnus was moved to protest. Lawrence held up his hand.
    ‘No, no, Emsleigh, she has a point.’ Again she was subjected to that intense gaze. ‘I have brought my keeper with me. The dog will be put into his care to be trained up, for use on whichever of my estates we are visiting.’
    ‘Do you plan a long stay at Knightscote, Sir Lawrence?’ asked Magnus.
    Rose looked down at her hands, desperate to hear his answer.
    ‘That depends. I have made no firm plans yet.’
    She dared not look up, afraid of what she might see in his eyes.
    ‘Well, sir, if you are still here at the end of October you should come to the Mersecombe Assembly,’ declared Magnus. ‘I will be able to introduce you to everyone. Not the highest society, of course, as you are used to in London, but nevertheless it will give you an opportunity to meet your neighbours. It is held at the Ship, so before you leave tomorrow you could take a look at the Assembly Room—I think you will agree it is a fine space for dancing.’
    ‘And will you be attending, Mrs Westerhill?’
    Rose jumped as Sir Lawrence addressed her.
    ‘Why…yes.’
    ‘Then, if I am still at Knightscote, I shall look forward to seeing you there.’ He picked up his hat. ‘I must go.’
    Rose jumped to her feet.
    ‘I shall see you out.’
    Magnus immediately sat up.
    ‘My dear, you should ring