London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series by Theresa Troutman Page B

and took Tess' hand, and they walked along the gravel path to the other side of the castle where the garden was located.
     
    Maxwell and Sebastian took a break from the hunt to let their horses drink from a nearby stream. “That daughter of yours is quite delightful, Sebastian. Her vocabulary is astounding for someone her age,” Max complimented.
    “You better watch out. She’ll have you setting up a room for her and visiting on the weekends. She’s very taken with you, Max.”
    “You say that as if you’re surprised.”
    “I’m grateful to reconnect with you and Victoria, but I’m concerned about Lily. I will protect my girls to my last breath. I do not trust Lily. I do not want her anywhere near my family, do you understand?”
    “So I reckon suggesting a reconciliation with mother is out of the question?”
    “Being disowned was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m a better man with a happy family. I want to keep it that way. Lily was the one who decided I was no longer welcome in the family. I won’t beg her forgiveness.” He let out a long, hot breath. “Let’s not talk about something so unpleasant on such a lovely day.”
    “All right,” Max agreed as they began to trot the horses up the embankment.
    “So how did you sleep last night?” Sebastian asked out of the blue.
    “Very well. Shouldn’t I be asking you that question? You are a guest in my home, after all.”
    “I wasn't shagging Penny Stanton last night.”
    “How did you know?” Maxwell asked, looking like a child caught with his hand in the biscuit jar.
    “I couldn’t sleep. I saw her coming out of your room. If you wanted to be discreet, why the hell didn’t you just let her spend the night in your bed?”
    Max was silent.
    “She’s one of my best friends, Max. She’s fancies you. Don’t hurt her,” Sebastian warned like an overprotective parent.
    “I’m quite taken with her as well.”
    “Then for God's sake, let her spend the entire night in your bed next time—or at least have the decency to make love to her in her own room. You should be the one that leaves in the middle of the night.”
    “You’re right, Sebastian,” Maxwell agreed in all seriousness.
    Sebastian silently nodded, having reached an unspoken understanding with his brother. Then he kicked the horse into action and took off to join the hunt, Max gaining at a rapid clip.
     
    It had been an exhausting day. Between the lack of sleep the night before, hunting, and teaching Mattie to ride, Sebastian was never more happy to lay his head upon a pillow than he was that evening.
    Tess snuggled into his chest.
    “Did you have a good day?” he asked Tess as a yawn escaped his lips.
    “Yes.”
    “Thanks for teaching Mattie how to ride. Now I’m afraid she’ll start begging for a pony,” Tess said with apprehension.
    “Maybe she’ll give up on asking for a puppy.”
    Tess chuckled. “I’d rather take care of a dog than a pony.”
    “Maybe for Christmas,” Sebastian agreed.
    “You and Maxwell seem to be getting along.”
    “For now, at least.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Tess inquired, raising her head to look at him.
    “I couldn’t sleep last night, so I took a walk. I bumped into Penny leaving his room at two in the morning.”
    Tess grinned. “I knew it! I’m so happy for Penny.”
    “It’s early days, Tess. Don’t start planning a wedding yet.”
    “Ha, that’s your job, not mine. I really like Penny, Bas. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could be as happy as we are?”
    Sebastian smiled. He was lucky beyond belief. “It would be wonderful.” He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
     
    Sebastian woke with a start as Mattie jumped on top of him. “Daddy, wake up!”
    He groaned, reaching for his watch on the nightstand. When his eyes finally focused, he realized it was eight o’clock in the morning. “Mattie, go back to sleep,” he muttered to his child.
    “But I want to see the pony.”
    “We have to