The Primrose Path Read Online Free PDF Page A

cad. She pursed her lips, set down her teacup, and said, “My lord, your plan to adopt the dogs yourself will not be acceptable.”
    Yes, she could be a passable-looking woman, Corin decided, with those eyes flashing fire that way. Then her words penetrated his connoisseur’s automatic evaluation. “Why the devil not? I saw a handsome foxhound in the fenced yard as I drove up that would be a fine addition to my kennels. There was a capable-looking sheepdog out there, too; I’m sure one of my tenants could use a good shepherd.”
    “And the rest, my lord? What about the others?”
    “Are you suggesting I wouldn’t give them a decent home? I have an army of staff and miles of grounds. How could you possibly object?”
    “Because you’re never there, my lord. You’ll be back in London by the end of the week, at some house party or hunting trip or off on one of your pleasure jaunts. The dogs will be left in kennel cages like your own hounds, or alone with your servants in that big empty castle.”
    “And what’s wrong with that?” Corin wanted to know. “It’s good enough for half the children in England.” Hell, it was how he himself was raised, and all his friends and acquaintances. “We’re talking about dogs, anyway, not infants.”
    Angelina didn’t think much of the British aristocracy’s system of child rearing, a prime example of which was sitting across from her, cold, heartless, and despotic. That wasn’t the point. “Leaving children to governesses and nannies and tutors may or may not be the proper way to care for them, but it’s not good enough for Lady Sophie’s pets, my lord.”
    “Deuce take it, Miss Armstead, they’re animals!”
    “Exactly, and they need companionship, attention, and affection. They were Lady Sophie’s friends, not just a collection of living knickknacks. With her infirmities your aunt could not get around as much or be as active as she wished. The dogs were with her constantly, her joy and her comfort in her isolated life. Can’t you understand that she loved them and they loved her? They need to be around people, yes, but not some hired servants who come and go. I can let them go only to homes where I’m sure they will find that same kind of love, my lord. It would be dishonoring Lady Sophie’s memory to do otherwise.”
    Corin was furious that this insignificant drudge had found him wanting. He brushed a crumb of poppy-seed cake off his knee and watched the three little ankle biters charge after it. They had gray bows in their hair today. Bah! The sour-faced spinster had grasped the mutts to her meager, unfulfilled bosom as the children she’d never had. Next thing he knew the woman would have them in little bibs and nappies. She’d never part with them, blast her to perdition. “What do they have now, Miss Arm-stead?” he demanded angrily. “What are you but a paid servant?”
    That was unforgivably rude, and Corin felt like an outright dastard to be speaking to any female in such a manner, no matter how buffleheaded she was. Deuce take the woman, now he’d have to beg her pardon.
    But Angelina wasn’t giving him the chance to apologize. She rose to her feet, forcing him to stand also lest he appear even more of an unmannered brute. “Yes, my lord, I am a paid servant, one of those who are forced to make their own way in this world without being handed every advantage. I refuse to be ashamed of my status despite your arrogant attitude. Your aunt was my employer, yes, but I loved her as I would my own aunt, and I love her pets. Her other employees are equally as fond of the animals or they wouldn’t all be staying on to see to their well-being. Even Lady Sophie’s abigail is remaining to help with the grooming. So that is what the dogs have now, love that you would never give them with all of your fine houses and hirelings.”
    Angelina’s hands were shaking. How could she have spoken so to Lady Sophie’s nephew? She sank back down, as always making