She laughed softly. “Okay, I’d like that too.”

He held on to her. “Maybe…if it’s not too forward of me to suggest it, you could stay here?”

“You mean live here? In the house?”

He nodded. “You’d have your own room, of course.”

It was a very sweet offer. Not to mention the perks of being close to him and having access to that incredible library. “I don’t know. That might be a little awkward with you being my boss and all.”

He hid his disappointment poorly. “Yes, I guess it would be.”

“I might be talked into the guest house, though.”

His eyes lit up again. “It’s yours. It’s not very much space, but if you want it, it’s yours.” He smiled. “I will insist you come for dinner at least three nights a week, however.”

She laughed. “You mean take out?”

“I’ll hire a cook. I’ve been meaning to do it for ages.”

She raised her brows. “I doubt that.”

“Well, Greaves has suggested it. He’ll be thrilled.” Sebastian smiled. “I like this plan. And if you run out of space over there, you can always move back in here.”

“Just how small is the guest house? Will Duncan’s new cat tree fit?”

Sebastian’s smile flattened. “Hmm. It hadn’t occurred to me you’d be taking him with you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Did you think I would leave my cat here?”

“He is rather settled in.”

She rolled her lips in. “For someone who didn’t want him here at all, you’re suddenly very attached to him.”

They both turned to look at the kitten, who was attacking something only he could see on the comforter.

Sebastian nodded. “He’s…good company.”

“You have Greaves.”

Sebastian gave her a look. “My rook hardly compares. And he’s never half as entertaining as the little beast.”

He leaned in and kissed her again. “I feel as though I owe you my life, Tessa. You’re doing so much for me. I will be in your debt for an eternity.”

“No. I don’t want that. You’ve already had that with one woman.”

“True. But what you’re doing for me isn’t something that’s easily repaid.”

She smiled. “It’s what friends do. And we’re friends now, so…” She patted his chest, a little embarrassed by his sharp focus on her. She knew she was doing him a huge favor, but she couldn’t imagine not doing it. There was too much at stake for him. “I’m pretty sure I remember a bridal shop in town. I don’t know if they can supply me with a dress on such short notice, but I should probably give them a call.”

“The woman who owns it, Corette, is engaged to Hugh’s rook, Stanhill. She’ll make it happen. She’s a witch and if she has to use her magic, she will. I’ll go down to my office and call Corette now and tell her you’re on your way. I’ll make sure she knows I’m taking care of the charges, too.”

Tessa didn’t argue. She wouldn’t be buying a wedding dress if not for this new drama. “And I’ll call my sister and see if she wants to go over there with me.”

Sebastian hesitated. “Is she going to give you a hard time because of this?”

“A little, but nothing serious. She’s pretty good that way. And really, what can she say? She’s the one who offered me up in the first place.”

“True.” He tipped his head. “I’m sorry we’re not going to dinner tonight. I’ll make up for that as soon as I’m able.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

He gave her a quick kiss and left smiling. She pulled out her phone and sat on the bed next to Duncan. She gave him a little scratch on the head and he immediately started gnawing on her thumb. She pulled her hand away to tap her sister’s number.

“Deputy Blythe,” Jenna answered.

“Are you still on duty?”

“Hey, Tessa. Sorry, I didn’t look at the caller ID. Yep, on duty until six. You need me?”

“Sort of. There’s been a new wrinkle in the situation.”

“Oh boy. What now?”

Tessa took a breath. “How would you like to go wedding dress shopping with me?”

Sebastian called Corette, filled her in on what was happening, then asked Greaves to drive Tessa into town to Corette’s shop. Once they’d gone, he closed his office door and made another phone call.

“Ellingham residence.”

“Stanhill, it’s Sebastian. Is my brother in?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m on my way over.”

“I’ll let him know.”

As much as Sebastian loathed leaving Evangeline in his home alone, it couldn’t be helped. The talk he was about to have with his brothers couldn’t happen where she could hear it. And Greaves was just dropping Tessa off at the bridal shop. He’d be home again until she called him to be picked up, so Evangeline would be unattended for only twenty minutes tops.

Sebastian locked his office and drove to Hugh’s, calling Julian’s cell on the way.

“Hello, Sebby. Please tell me you’re not calling because you suddenly decided to change more things in the budget.”

“I hate that name.”

“Sorry, I do know that. Guess I heard Evangeline say it one too many times. Apology accepted?”