The four young women hunted diligently, but they could find no sign of the small dog. Finally, giving up, they went downstairs. While Mary dreaded what Pirate might do before they found him, she dreaded even more keeping the earl waiting. The door to the earl’s study stood open and he was at his desk, a ledger book open before him. He glanced up as Mary and her sisters stopped in the doorway.
“Cousins.” He stood up and started around the desk. “Please, come in.”
He went around them to close the door as the girls moved forward to stand somewhat uncertainly before his desk, glancing around at the heavy, dark masculine furniture.
“Pirate!” Camellia exclaimed.
Her sisters whirled to glare at her, and Camellia pointed to the small black-and-white dog stretched out on his side on the floor in a square of late-afternoon sunlight streaming through the windowpanes. Pirate opened his eyes and lifted his head at the sound of his name. “He’s here! Look.”
“Yes,” the earl agreed. “He came in some time ago, looking like a fox with the hounds after him.”
“We bathed him,” Camellia explained.
“So I gathered.” The earl glanced over at the dog. “I must say, it hasn’t improved his appearance markedly.” Oliver gestured toward the chairs arranged in a conversational grouping near the windows. “Please, sit down.”
He waited politely for them to be seated, then took the remaining chair. Pirate, who had gotten up and trotted over to greet the girls, now lay down beside the earl, resting his head on the toe of the earl’s boot.
Stewkesbury followed their shocked gazes. “Yes, he seems to have taken an unaccountable liking to me.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I-I’m sorry,” Mary told him. “I—is he bothering you? Would you like us to take him away?”
The earl waved his hand negligently. “’Tis no problem. As you will be leaving for the country soon, it won’t last long.”
For a long, awkward moment, the four girls and the man regarded one another silently. Finally, he began, “If I recall correctly, Cousin Charlotte is taking you shopping tomorrow.”
Mary’s heart sank. Was he going to take away their shopping trip because of the scrape they had gotten into today? She didn’t dare look at her sisters. Lily especially would be crushed.
“It occurred to me,” the earl went on, “that you would need pin money. Charlotte, of course, will have the bills sent to me, but there will surely be small things like ribbons and candies and such that you will want to purchase yourselves.”
His words were such a surprise to Mary that she could not speak. Clearly her sisters were equally astonished, for all of them simply sat there, gaping at him. Oliver rose and went to his desk, took out a stack of notes, and handed several to each girl. Mary stared at the money. She was not sure exactly how much a British pound was in comparison to American money, but she rather thought that it was worth more. And five of them—for each sister!—seemed a great deal to spend on ribbons and candy.
“But, sir,” she said at last. “Surely this is too much.”
The earl regarded her with faint surprise. “I wouldn’t think so. Perhaps I should consult Charlotte. I fear I haven’t much experience with outfitting young ladies. But I would expect there are a number of things you might wish to purchase on your own, and it is, after all, for the whole month.”
“The month!” Rose repeated in amazement.
“Yes. I think it should be adequate for that, but if it is not, we can discuss it later.”
“But, sir …” Mary looked at him with some distress. “We cannot accept this.” She ignored Lily’s surreptitious pinch. “I never thought—I didn’t dream—that is, we did not intend to be such a burden to you. I did not realize what it would be like here.”
“I am afraid I don’t understand.”
“We expected to find our grandfather, and it seemed only natural that he would take in his grandchildren. But you are only our cousin. It hardly seems fair to expect you to support us. And I assumed that we would do something for our grandfather in return for our upkeep, not just batten on him.”
“Do something?” he repeated blankly.
“Yes, you know, work . Help clean or cook or tend the garden—something to help earn our keep.” At the earl’s astounded expression, she went on quickly, “I realize now that that is not possible. But I never meant for you to feed us and clothe us and have servants do everything for us.”
“But you are Talbots. What else would I do? Had my grandfather known of your existence, he would have done these things for you. He should, quite frankly, have made provision for you in his will. As he did not, I am duty-bound to provide for you.”