“You’re a brilliant woman, you know that?” She could hear the smile in his voice.

She smiled right back. “Thanks. I take it that means yes to dinner?”

“That means yes to anything you want.”

Her smile widened. She’d be sure to remind him of that when she brought Duncan back to his house in the morning.

Sebastian opened the day’s paper, a third cup of coffee on the table beside him. He should be in his office working, but he wasn’t in the mood to crack the books just yet. Tessa’s breakfast had been simple but very good. Cheese and mushroom omelets. A far greater accomplishment than Greaves could have pulled off.

Sebastian smiled. The two of them should be back soon. They’d been gone forty-five minutes already.

Evangeline still slept like the dead and would for at least four more hours. According to Greaves, she’d only just gone to bed as dawn approached.

Greaves was a light sleeper, but also a terrible snoop. For once, Sebastian was glad of it. The man had stayed up to keep an eye on her just as Sebastian had guessed he might. Because of that, Sebastian was giving him the remainder of the day off so he could get some rest.

Sebastian’s ears perked up at the sound of the mudroom door opening. It was at the far end of the house near the kitchen and led in from the garage. He set the paper aside and went to help Tessa with her things.

He met them in the kitchen and came to a sudden stop. “What is that?”

Tessa paused mid-sentence in her conversation with Greaves and turned to face Sebastian head on. “What is what?”

“That…thing in your arms.”

She frowned at him. “I know you don’t get out much, but do you really not know that this is a kitten?”

She held the ball of claws and fluff up so he could see it better. “See? Whiskers, a tail, fur—all the usual kitten parts.”

“I know what it is. What’s it doing in my house?”

She hugged it to her chest again. It mewled, a rather pitiful sound that Sebastian refused to let sway him. “Duncan is my cat and since I’m living here for the next seven days, so is he.”

“No.”

Her brow wrinkled. “It sounded like you said no.”

“I did. I don’t want that thing in here, tearing up my house, scratching on my antiques and generally treating the whole place like his…toilet. No. The cat goes back to your sister’s.”

Greaves had the good sense to stay out of it. He lifted Tessa’s bags. “I’ll just go put these in your quarters, miss.”

She shook her head. “Put them back in the car, Greaves. If Duncan goes, so do I.”

Greaves stayed right where he was.

Sebastian huffed out a breath. “You can’t be serious.”

“Have fun explaining to Evangeline where I am.”

“Tessa, please, you have to understand. Those animals are…”

“Are what?”

He grimaced and told the truth. “I don’t like them.”

She tipped her head. “Why?”

“Because they’re—”

“You’re scared of cats.”

“No, I am not.” Maybe a little. It was irrational, but one had chased him from the stables when he was a boy and he’d never quite gotten over it. Hugh had inherited one when he’d married Delaney, but thankfully that enormous beast seemed to sleep all day and was rarely around when Sebastian called.

“You are. I can see it. I’m sorry, but Duncan is just a baby. He’s not going to hurt you. And this is a great chance for you to get over that fear.”

Sebastian crossed his arms. “You’re forcing my hand. I have no choice but to agree. I find that very unfair.”

She smiled. “I think that’s sort of how actual marriage works. Give and take and compromise. Isn’t this fun?”

“No.” His good mood had fermented. “Keep it away from me.”

“Duncan is a he, not an it, and he sleeps with me.”

Sebastian scowled at the tiny, furry beast, instantly jealous. “On the bed? My bed?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

She pointed a finger at the ceiling. “Greaves, back to the car.”

Sebastian threw his hands in the air. “Greaves, take her things up to my room. She and I will work this out but apparently, the animal is staying.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll return for the rest of Duncan’s things in the car, then, miss.” Greaves departed for the upstairs.

“Thank you, Greaves.” Tessa looked at Sebastian and her grin widened in blatant satisfaction. “And thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. This is going to cost you.”

Her smile faltered. “How so?”

His mood meant his social graces mattered less. That sense of recklessness made his body thrum with energy. “I demand a goodnight kiss every evening and good morning kiss upon waking.”

She swallowed, but took a step toward him. “That hardly seems equal to having this innocent little kitten living here for the rest of the week.”

“You’re the one who brought up give and take. Am I the only one who should compromise then?”

“No.” She gave him a skeptical look. “Fine. Two kisses a day.”

“As many kisses as are required, but one will be mandatory at the beginning and end of each day.”

She hugged the beast closer. “Then Duncan gets the full run of the house. And you can’t complain about it.”