Free Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn Page B

conversation became quite heated when Louisa suggested Charles ought to have had the man arrested.
    “But on what grounds?”
    She waved a fork vaguely in the air. “Why, how should I know, Charles? But there must be something. And you, being in the government, must have a much better notion of the laws than I.”
    She ended with her fork pointed directly at his chest, a gesture which could only make Charles feel defensive.
    “You are correct, Louisa. I do have a much better notion of the law, and I can tell you there is no law in existence which prohibits a man from doing what he did! “
    “Well, there ought to be!” She was seated with her back to the fire; the combination of yellow gown, red coals and vibrant hair conspired to build a glow around her. Her indignation was magnificent.
    Charles imagined he could feel heat emanating from her, which warmed him, even as her next words tried his patience.
    “I am sure you will want to introduce a bill to that effect.”
    The puppy had awakened while they talked and now came to beg for food from the table. Louisa cut a piece of ham into tidbits and started to place it before the dog.
    “Louisa, if that dog is to be mine, I would be grateful if you would refrain from teaching her bad habits! “
    She went on as if he had not spoken. “Nonsense, Charles. Since when does one occasion constitute a habit?”
    “Are you quite recovered now, little one?” she said, addressing the puppy. “We should think of a name for her, don't you think?”
    Charles groaned. “Have the good grace, please, to let me name her, Louisa. I will not have a dog with some foolish name chosen by a sentimental female.”
    Louisa glanced up, surprised. “Do you think me sentimental, Charles? I assure you I am nothing if not practical. The name Eliza had struck me as a possibility, but if you prefer another, by all means, go ahead and choose one.”
    Charles had not given a moment's thought to naming the dog; but now it became a matter of honour to choose one. He groped for a name a man could call his dog without being laughed at for it.
    “Juno is a good name.”
    Louisa glanced at the dog and hid a smile. “Why, of course. Juno–how forceful! Why, just looking at this creature brings to mind the wife of Jupiter! I am struck by the similarity! “
    Then she giggled, for the puppy in its efforts to sit up and beg had fallen over on its back. It was still so young that it sat with its legs splayed off to one side–a distinctly ungoddesslike pose.
    Charles swallowed the retort he had begun to make, and then swallowed his pride, as well.
    “Oh, very well, then. She will be Eliza. But from now on, Louisa, the dog is mine, and I shall be the one to govern her conduct! “
    Louisa dimpled at him and returned to her meal. He thought the subject had been dropped, but then she said, “Perhaps this whole incident can be regarded as fortunate, for now you will have Eliza to remind you of those measures you plan to introduce before the Lords.”
    Charles refused to be baited into a lengthier discussion–one that he was bound to lose, in any case. He knew better by now than to try to explain to Louisa how the introduction of any such bill would make him a laughing-stock before his colleagues. She never stopped to think about how others would regard her actions.
    Charles took that back–she knew perfectly well what others thought and disregarded it all the same. But when cruelty to other humans was so rampant, how could she expect the government to legislate the protection of animals?
    He changed the subject and told her they must stay another day with the Spadgers because of the Sabbath. Louisa seemed not at all distressed by the news, though she did have the grace to express her concern for his inconvenience.
    As she was bidding him good-night, however, she added in a tone filled with wisdom, “Though I daresay, Charles, you will benefit from another day of rest.”
    She held out her hand to him and her