Jacquie ’Alessandro - Confessions at Midnight

"You realize you're enticing me to find out."

She hoisted a teasing brow. "From what I can see, you are excessively easy to entice. Now about your plans for the next hour or so-I have a request."

He reached out and brushed the backs of his fingers over the outward curve of her breast. "Whatever it is, I shall do my utmost to oblige you."

"Without even knowing what it is?"

"Yes."

"What if I were to make an utterly outrageous demand?"

"I would do my utmost to oblige you. Does your utterly outrageous demand include removing our clothing?"

She gave his arm a playful swat. "See? Another sensual matter."

"No, another clothing matter. But whatever your request is, rest assured, you've only to ask."

Even under their lighthearted banter, she had the impression that he was completely in earnest. "You must be taken advantage of quite frequently by making such generous offers."

"On the contrary, I've yet to be taken advantage of because it isn't an offer I make frequently."

His words, spoken in that soft, serious voice… that voice… that deep, sensual voice… Botheration, where was I? Oh, yes her request.

She cleared her throat. "I'd like to discuss Katie with you. And meet your family."

A wary expression crossed his features, then his expression went blank. "My family? I'm afraid that's impossible, as they are traveling on the continent."

"I meant your animal family. Your pets."

"Ah. That family," he said, sounding relieved. He lifted her hand and pressed a warm kiss on the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. "I'd be happy to discuss Katie or any topic you wish. As for my pets, it would be my honor and pleasure to introduce you, although I must warn you, they are an unconventional lot."

The carriage jerked to a halt and Daniel flicked back the curtains. "Ready?" he asked with a smile.

"Ready," she agreed.

But was she? To enter his home, yes. But her inner voice shouted a warning that she wasn't in the least bit prepared for what entering into this affair with Daniel would ultimately entail. What continuing it would mean to the carefully constructed existence she'd built for herself. And in spite of her best efforts to tamp down that voice, it continued to whisper through her mind.

The instant Barkley opened the door and Daniel and Carolyn entered the foyer, they were besieged by his "family," all of whom barked or meowed in assorted octaves with varying degrees of loudness. He wondered if his pets' less than perfect outward appearances and near deafening greeting might repulse her as they had the last several women he'd invited into his home. But rather than backing away from the healed-over infirmities and chaos, Carolyn grinned and waded right into the fray.

The cats wound between his boots, while his four rambunctious dogs proceeded to welcome him with an enthusiasm that would suggest he'd been away for weeks. They clearly approved of Carolyn, who, after a few preliminary sniffs, they greeted as if she were their long-lost best friend. Every bark and meow seemed to ask him, Who is this delightful creature you've brought us?

He looked at Carolyn's bright smile and his chest seemed to constrict. She's Carolyn. And you're going to adore her.

Daniel crouched down and was immediately the recipient of a surge of joyful canine affection that nearly upended him. Carolyn laughed at the frenzy and crouched beside him. And was instantly showered with enthusiastic doggie affection and feline purrs.

"They're wonderful," she managed to say between breathless laughs as she petted and scratched and dodged canine kisses.

"They're insane," Daniel corrected, unable to keep from chuckling in spite of his exasperated tone. "Allow me to introduce you," he said, raising his voice to be heard above the din. He patted the shaggy-haired mud-colored dog of dubious ancestry that had no tail. "This is Stubby." He then nodded toward a medium-sized tan dog missing a hind leg who was trying mightily to lick Carolyn's chin and said, "That flirtatious fellow is Limpy."

"I'm guessing this is Baldy?" she said, scooping up the soulful-eyed, hairless puppy that squirmed with panting delight.

"Correct. And this little devil is Droopy," he said, picking up a small black and white, wiggling puff of fluff that sported only one spiky ear, the top of which flopped over. He then nodded toward the pair of cats who now sat sedately several feet away, tails curled around themselves, watching the proceedings with haughty feline disdain that clearly indicated they viewed such canine goings-on as undignified. "Blinky is the pure black one with one eye," Daniel said.

"Yes, I saw her last night."

"Tippy's the calico. She's the only reserved member of this wild bunch and is missing part of a front leg. The pair of them believe this is their house. They kindly allow me and the servants to reside here, but only so long as we continue to feed them. I'm convinced they spend all the time they aren't sleeping plotting ways to get the dogs to move out."

He set Droopy down then rose and extended his hand to her. Carolyn placed Baldy on the marble floor, then slipped her hand into his, a simple action that surely shouldn't have sped up his heart as it did.

Once she stood beside him, he stared down at the prancing quartet of dogs and commanded, "Sit." Recognizing the Voice of Authority, Limpy, Stubby, and Baldy instantly obeyed. Droopy, however, continued to stand and wag his moplike tail.

Carolyn chuckled at the small dog who gazed up at her through adoring black button eyes. "He appears to need a bit more training."

"She," Daniel corrected. "And I'm afraid there's a bit more needed than simple training."

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't speak English."

Carolyn blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"I suppose I should say she doesn't understand English. Samuel found her outside a building where he heard voices yelling in French."

"I've never heard of such a thing. Perhaps she has suffered some hearing loss due to her injury."

"Oh, she hears fine. Especially when food is mentioned."

"Have you tried speaking French to her?"

"Unfortunately my French is abysmal and I've yet to make inquiries of anyone who speaks the language regarding appropriate doggie commands." He shot her a hopeful look. "I don't suppose you speak French?"

"Only a bit, and not with any proficiency, I'm afraid. Still, I could try." She looked down at Droopy then cleared her throat. "Asseyez-vous!"

Droopy's bottom instantly plopped onto the marble tile.

Daniel stared for several seconds then laughed. "You're a genius!"

Carolyn grinned. "Hardly that. And my accent is awful."

"Nonsense. It's perfect. And now, my lovely genius, can you please tell her to stop chewing my boots? And my furniture? And my walking sticks?"

"I'm afraid I don't know how to say any of that."

"My boots, furniture, and walking sticks are devastated. But please, try something else."

"All right." She pursed her lips then said, "Me parler."

Droopy answered with a series of nonstop, enthusiastic barks.

"What did you say?" Daniel asked over the noise.

•"Speak to me.'"

"Excellent." When Droopy continued to bark in a deafening fashion, he added, "Hopefully you know how to say 'be quiet.'"

She looked down at the yapping ball of fluff. "Calmez-vous, s'il vous plait."

Droopy instantly fell quiet.

"Brilliant," he said. "I must write down those commands. You have my eternal gratitude."

"Perhaps you can teach her English by saying both the French and English commands together."

"See? I told you you were a genius."

She laughed. Looking at her, bathed in a swath of sunlight pouring through the window that seemed to surround her in a golden halo, her eyes alight with merriment, she literally stole his breath. His ability to speak. Indeed, his ability to do anything other than stare at her.

He wasn't certain how long he stood there doing just that before she asked, her voice laced with amusement, "Might your eternal gratitude include a cup of tea? There's still the matter regarding Katie I'd like to discuss with you."

Her words broke through his befuddlement and he gave himself a mental slap. Bloody hell, one look at her and he completely forgot himself. "Of course. Perhaps even some biscuits."

At the mention of biscuits, Droopy barked twice. Daniel looked down at the tail-wagging dog. "Ah, yes, you understand 'biscuits,' don't you?"

Droopy barked again, and this time Limpy, Stubby, and Baldy joined in. Carolyn laughed. '"Biscuits' is apparently part of a universal language."

"Apparently," he agreed. He turned to Barkley, who stood at his post near the door. The butler's gaze rested upon Carolyn with a sappy expression that indicated that he, too, found her enchanting. Good God, did there exist a man with a pulse who didn't fall under whatever spell she cast? Apparently not, because as far as Daniel knew, Barkley was quite impervious to feminine wiles. At least while he was on duty.

"Tea in the drawing room, please," he said to the butler.

Barkley blinked, as if coming out of the same sort of trance that had claimed Daniel. Indeed, he looked so befuddled, Daniel was tempted to laugh. "Yes, my lord."