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“Justin's small form was very still with excitement, his attention riveted on the black feline. "Look, Mama!"
Phoebe glanced at Mr. Ravenel. "Is she feral?"
"No, but she's undomesticated. We keep a few barn cats to reduce the rodent and insect population."
"Can I pet her?" Justin asked.
"You could try," Mr. Ravenel said, "but she won't come close enough. Barn cats prefer to keep their distance from people." His brows lifted as the small black cat made her way to Sebastian and curled around his leg, arching and purring. "With the apparent exception of dukes. My God, she's a snob."
Sebastian lowered to his haunches. "Come here, Justin," he murmured, gently kneading the cat along its spine to the base of its tail.
The child approached with his small hand outstretched.
"Softly," Sebastian cautioned. "Smooth her fur the same way it grows."
Justin stroked the cat carefully, his eyes growing round as her purring grew even louder. "How does she make that sound?"
"No one has yet found a satisfactory explanation," Sebastian replied. "Personally, I hope they never do."
"Why, Gramps?"
Sebastian smiled into the small face so close to his. "Sometimes the mystery is more delightful than the answer.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter

“It’s about to rain forks and knives,â€� Winterborne reported, water drops glittering on his hair and the shoulders of his coat. He reached for a glass of champagne from a silver tray on the table, and raised it in Tom’s direction. “Good luck it is, for the wedding day.â€�
“Why is that, exactly?� Tom asked, disgruntled.
“A wet knot is harder to untie,� Winterborne said. “The marriage bond will be tight and long lasting.�
Ethan Ransom volunteered, “Mam always said rain on a wedding day washed away the sadness of the past.�
“Not only are superstitions irrational,� Tom said, “they’re inconvenient. If you believe in one, you have to believe them all, which necessitates a thousand pointless rituals.�
Not being allowed to see the bride before the ceremony, for example. He hadn’t had so much as a glimpse of Cassandra that morning, and he was chafing to find out how she was feeling, if she’d slept well, if there was something she needed.
West came into the room with his arms full of folded umbrellas. Justin, dressed in a little velveteen suit, was at his heels.
“Aren’t you supposed to be upstairs in the nursery with your little brother?� St. Vincent asked his five-year-old nephew.
“Dad needed my help,� Justin said self-importantly, bringing an umbrella to him.
“We’re about to have a soaker,� West said briskly. “We’ll have to take everyone out to the chapel as soon as possible, before the ground turns to mud. Don’t open one of these indoors: It’s bad luck.�
“I didn’t think you were superstitious,� Tom protested. “You believe in science.�
West grinned at him. “I’m a farmer, Severin. When it comes to superstitions, farmers lead the pack. Incidentally, the locals say rain on the wedding day means fertility.�
Devon commented dryly, “To a Hampshireman, nearly everything is a sign of fertility. It’s a preoccupation around here.�
“What’s fertility?� Justin asked.
In the sudden silence, all gazes went to West, who asked defensively, “Why is everyone looking at me?�
“As Justin’s new father,� St. Vincent replied, making no effort to hide his enjoyment, “that question is in your province.�
West looked down into Justin’s expectant face. “Let’s ask your mother later,� he suggested.
The child looked mildly concerned. “Don’t you know, Dad?”
― Lisa Kleypas, Chasing Cassandra

“Mama,â€� the child exclaimed, breathless and agitated.
Phoebe looked down at him in concern. “Justin, what is it?�
“Galoshes brought me a dead mouse. She dropped it on the floor right in front of me!�
“Oh, dear.� Tenderly Phoebe smoothed his dark, ruffled hair. “I’m afraid that’s what cats do. She thought it was a fine gift.�
“Nanny won’t touch it, and the housemaid screamed, and I had a fight with Ivo.�
Although Phoebe’s younger brother Ivo was technically Justin’s uncle, the boys were close enough in age to play together and quarrel.
“About the mouse?� Phoebe asked sympathetically.
“No, before the mouse. Ivo said there’s going to be a honeymoon and I can’t go because it’s for grownups.� The boy tilted his head back to look up at her, his lower lip quivering. “You wouldn’t go to the honeymoon without me, would you, Mama?�
“Darling, we’ve made no plans to travel yet. There’s too much to be done here, and we all need time to settle in. Perhaps in the spring—�
“Dad wouldn’t want to leave me behind. I know he wouldn’t!�
In the electrified silence that followed, Tom shot a glance at West, who looked blank and startled.
Slowly Phoebe lowered to the ground until her face was level with her son’s. “Do you mean Uncle West?� she asked gently. “Is that what you’re calling him now?�
Justin nodded. “I don’t want him to be my uncle—I already have too many of those. And if I don’t have a dad, I’ll never learn how to tie my shoes.�
Phoebe began to smile. “Why not call him Papa?� she suggested.
“If I did, you’d never know which one I was talking about,� Justin said reasonably, “the one in heaven or the one down here.�
Phoebe let out a breath of amusement. “You’re right, my clever boy.�
Justin looked up at the tall man beside him with a flicker of uncertainty. “I can call you Dad � can’t I? Do you like that name?�
A change came over West’s face, his color deepening, small muscles contorting with some powerful emotion. He snatched Justin up, one of his large hands clasping the small head as he kissed his cheek. “I love that name,� West said unsteadily. “I love it.� The boy’s arms went around his neck.
“Can we go to Africa for our honeymoon, Dad?� he heard Justin ask.
“Yes,� came West’s muffled voice.
“Can I have a pet crocodile, Dad?�
â€Ô¨±ð²õ.â€�
Phoebe produced a handkerchief from seemingly out of nowhere and tucked it discreetly into one of West’s hands.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Chasing Cassandra

“Phoebe knew West couldn't see beyond his own fears of being unworthy, of someday causing her unhappiness. But this high degree of concern was precisely what inclined her to trust him. One thing was clear: if she wanted him, she would have to be the pursuer.
West lounged on the floor between her two sons, a heavy forelock of dark hair falling over his forehead. "What does a chicken say?" he asked Stephen, holding up a wooden figure.
The toddler took it from him and answered, "Rowwr!"
West blinked in surprise and began to chuckle along with Justin. "By God, that is a fierce chicken."
Delighted by his effect on West, Stephen held up the chicken. "Rowwr," he growled again, and this time West and Justin collapsed in laughter. Quickly West reached out to the toddler's blond head, pulled him closer and crushed a brief kiss among the soft curls.
Had there been any doubts lingering in Phoebe's mind, they were demolished in that moment.
Oh, yes... I want this man.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter

“Justin frowned. "Do I have to stay in the nursery? With the the babies?"
“Darling, you’re four years old—�
“Almost five!�
Phoebe's lips quirked. There was a wealth of interest and empathy in the gaze she bent on her small son. “You may stay in my room, if you like,� she offered.
The child was appalled by the suggestion.
“I can’t sleep in your room,� he said indignantly.
“Why not?�
“People might think we were married!�
West concentrated on a distant spot on the floor, struggling hold back a laugh. When he was able, he took a steadying breath and risked a glance at Lady Clare. To his secret delight, she appeared to be considering the point as if it were entirely valid.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter

“Tell me about your children," he said.
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything. How did you decide on their names?"
"Justin was named after my husband's favorite uncle- a dear old bachelor who always brought him books when he was ill. My younger son, Stephen, was named after a character in an adventure novel Lord Clare and I read when we were children."
"What was the title?"
"I can't tell you; you'll think it's silly. It is silly. But we both loved it. We read it dozens of times. I had to send Henry my copy, after-"
After you stole his.
In Henry's view, the worst of West Ravenel's offenses had been stealing his copy of Stephen Armstrong: Treasure Hunter from a box of possessions beneath his bed at school. Although there had never been proof of the thief's identity, Henry had remembered that Ravenel had previously mocked him when he'd seen him reading it. "I know he's the one," Henry had written. "He's probably done something awful with it. Dropped it down the privy. I'd be surprised if the nincompoop can even read."
"Someday when we're big," Phoebe had written in response, full of righteous vengeance, "we'll go thrash him together and take it back from him."
But now she was sitting next to him at dinner.
"-after he lost his copy," she finished awkwardly.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter