Callie cast a glance round the room, measuring Hubert's length against the breadth of it. "In a word—no."

"Damn." Trev went away for a moment, then came back and opened the door fully, stepping down into the kitchen. "It's safe for now. They've retreated in disarray. Cook's gone for some bread at the shop. An excellent woman!" He grinned. "We'd fought it to a draw, but Sturgeon wasn't going to fall back until she rallied the forces."

"I've raised her wages to three guineas a week," Callie informed him.

"Capital." He offered another carrot to Hubert. "I could commit murder before her very eyes and keep her on at that rate. Now—what are we to do with you, my immense friend? Can you back him out?"

"I doubt it. I may have to lead him through the hallway," Callie said.

"I fear that you may. I pray for the survival of the f loorboards. And after that, what are we to do with him?"

"What are we to do with him?" she echoed in surprise. "I should think that must be obvious."

"We must get him out of here, of course," Trev said. "But after that, I'll admit, I'm stymied for a plan."

"We'll return him to Colonel Davenport, of course."

"And what will we say to the colonel?" he inquired. "'Here's your bull, my good man. So sorry he fell in a tanner's vat!'"

Callie made an exasperated sound. "Why on earth did you dye him? It makes it appear as if you stole him."

"Ah. You perceive the crux of the problem."

She was silent for a moment, her gloved hand resting on Hubert's muscular shoulder. She lowered her eyes. "Did you steal him?" she asked softly.

"Well, no," he said. "At least, I didn't mean to."

She lifted her eyes, her head tilted a little aside, a hesitant upward curve on her lips.

Trev felt his heart make a certain sort of squeeze, the kind of pang that he direly wished to avoid, when she looked at him just so. He gave a f lat smile and a shrug. "I'd intended to purchase him, if you will credit that."

"For me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Oh no," he said casually. "I meant to present him to some other lady. It's all the crack, you know. Flowers are so common."

She pressed her lips together and frowned. She wrinkled her nose, and then put her arm over Hubert's broad back and laid her cheek to his massive shoulder. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Trev examined the bandage on his hand, tugging at the knot. "An unsuccessful endeavor, as usual. What will I bungle next?"

Callie sighed. She lifted her head and stroked the bull's sleek hide. "We must give him back, you know. He's too valuable."