Sublime

“Ah.” Sebastian nodded. “Gemma, yes. Long legs, big…” Meeting my dry look, he finished innocently, “…eyes.”

“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.”

“Why did you bring Peter?” “Because he’s part of our family, no matter how much he reminds me of the weird squirrel from Ice Age.

“Gabriel—” the duchess began, but fell silent as he slid her a glance of bright mischief. The duke regarded his son dubiously. “If you’re trying to be charming,” he said, “I should tell you that it’s not going well.”