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“Listen to me, Justin,” Mr Ravenel said quietly “This was my fault Not yours You can’t be expected to follow the rules if I haven’t told theo inside one of the enclosures or pens by yourself Never, for any reason”

“But the cat” Justin faltered

“She can take care of herself She’s over there, with at least eight lives left—you see?” Mr Ravenel gestured to a nearby ti the side of her face delicately The outer corners of his eyes tipped upward as he saw the boy’s relief “Regardless, if an anio near it Ask an adult for help next time An animal is replaceable A boy is not Do you understand?”

Justin nodded vigorously “Yes, sir” The grace of forgiveness, when he’d expected harsh judg with relief

“Ravenel,” she heard her father say, “I’m in your debt”

Mr Ravenel shook his head immediately “I deserve no credit, sir It was all pure idiot reflex I juht”

“Yes,” Sebastian said reflectively, “that’s what I liked about it”

By the time Mr Ravenel had ht around The co excitement had left him too weary to quarrel After a testy comment or two, he cliht, Mr Ravenel invited him to ride in the cart as well They settled on a stack of folded blankets, with Justin tucked against the an to roll toward the manor house, the black cat leaped into the vehicle’s open back

Walking back with her father, Phoebe s face in the distance “Justin worships him now”

Her father arched a quizzical brow at her tone “Is that a problem?”

“No, butto a young boy, Mr Ravenel must seem like a fantasy of a father His own personal hero Poor Edward Larson has little chance of co”

Although her father remained relaxed, she sensed his sharp interest “I wasn’t aware Larson was in the running for such a role”

“Edward and I are fond of each other,” Phoebe said “And he’s fond of the boys, too He’s known both of them since they were born The last time he came to visit Heron’s Point, heto assume Henry’s place”

“Willing to assume Henry’s place,” Sebastian repeated with slow e “Is that how he declared himself?”

“It wasn’t a e proposal, it was a prelude to deeper conversation Edward isn’t one to rush things He’s a gentleman of courtesy and delicacy”

“Indeed He doesn’t lack for delicacy” Suddenly her father’s voice was caustic enough to dissolve granite

“Why do you say it like that?” Phoebe asked in surprise “What do you have against Edward?”

“I can’t help but question how ain, on a tepid Larson male Is your blood really so thin that it calls for such milk-warm companionship?”

Phoebe stopped in her tracks, while outrage raced through her like wildfire “Henry was not tepid!”

“No,” her father allowed, stopping to face her, “Henry did have one passion, and that was you It’s why I eventually consented to thethe burden you would have to shoulder Edward Larson, however, has yet to evince any such depth of feeling”

“Well, he wouldn’t in front of you,” she said hotly “He’s private And it was never a burden to take care of Henry”

“Darling child,” he said softly, “the burden is what you’re facing now”

Chapter 12

By the time Phoebe and her father had entered the house, servants were running along the hallith toweling and cans of cold and hot water, and the housekeeper was directing a footman to carry her medicine case up to Mr Ravenel’s room

“I’ to speak to Lord and Lady Trenear,” Sebastian murmured, and headed for the stairs

Nanny Bracegirdle stood in the entrance hall with Justin, who held the black cat against his chest The half-wild feline should have shredded hi around in bewildered curiosity at her strange new surroundings

“Nanny,” Phoebe exclai over to them “Have you heard what happened?”

The older woman nodded “Master Justin told me, and so did the cart driver The household’s all in a tither”

“Did you see Mr Ravenel when he came in?”

“No, ray faced, but steady on his feet They sent for a doctor even though he said not to”

Justin looked up at her with a gri The handkerchiefs you gave him are all ruined, Mama”