“Thank you. That will be all,” Hannah said by way of dismissal. Turning to the earl, she asked, “How do you take your tea, my lord?” as she lifted a cup and saucer.
“Gisborn,” Henry stated emphatically. At Hannah’s widened eyes, he wondered if he had erred in insisting she use his name so soon after their introduction. “No sugar, a bit of cream,” he added. He dared a glance in the dog’s direction. “Will Harold be joining us, milady?”
Hannah was pouring the cream and did not see the glint in Henry’s eye as he asked about the dog. She wondered how he knew her pet’s name. Did Father talk about Harold with him? She lifted her gaze to his as she handed him the tea. “I am sure he would love to. That is, if you were not asking in jest.”
Henry smiled. “I was not,” he answered with a shake of his head. “Unless I have taken his chair, in which case I should like the opportunity to move to another before we invite him.”
Smiling at his joke, Hannah turned her attention on her pet. “Would you like a biscuit, Harold?”
The Alpenmastiff raised his head in surprise.
About the Author
A self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.
Now running the front office of a busy print shop, she’s developed an appreciation for pretty papers and spends time using them in her scrapbooks. She can frequently be found at the local cinema enjoying the latest movie. During the winter, she hosts several junior hockey players, and an indeterminate number of tropical fish live with her year-round. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. See her upcoming books on her website: www.lindaraesande.com.
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