2. Chapter 2 #2
“Well, I don’t know how you do it, but I wish I could have you around all the time to bring order to my unruly family.
Even little boys sit at your command.” She covered her mouth with one hand; her brown eyes danced with laughter.
Her eyes were fanned by lush dark lashes and sat in a beautiful oval face with a small, pert nose and peaches-and-cream complexion.
Her golden-brown hair was piled high on her head, and a little blue bonnet sat atop at a jaunty angle.
He narrowed his gaze on her face. “Have we met?”
“Yes, I am afraid we have. Earlier this summer, you and your brother had to save a young woman from my throng of dogs. You have quite an impressive whistle. You had all the dogs’ attention then too. How unfortunate we keep meeting under the same chaotic circumstances.”
“Yes! I remember. Poor Vivian nearly toppled into the pond.” He smiled, thinking about his sister-in-law’s clumsiness. She had probably been to blame for getting tangled in the dogs’ leads. “You do seem to travel with a lot of dogs. Mrs…?”
“Miss Emmaline Whittingham. And these two are my brothers, Max and William.” The two little boys bowed, and their sister beamed at them.
“Duke of Gilchrest.” He tipped his hat. “These are my sons, Grayson and Tyler.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Whittingham.” Grayson executed a perfect bow. “Egads, that is the biggest dog I have ever seen!”
Andrew gave his son a frown. “That’s not polite, Grayson.
” Although he could hardly blame him—an enormous dog sat politely next to Miss Whittingham.
Her delicate hand lay atop his massive head.
The dog stared at them with wise gray eyes, and a large drop of drool dangled from the corner of his mouth.
“This is Fergus. He is an Irish wolfhound. He found me one day in trouble with some scoundrels trying to rob me, and we have been together ever since. He is very gentle with children but most protective of me,” Miss Whittingham explained.
“He is a gentle giant,” Max said, throwing his arms around Fergus’ neck. The dog turned his head and licked the boy’s face.
“Were you set upon by thieves? Certainly not here in Mayfair, I hope,” Andrew asked.
“I was on Bond Street,” Miss Whittingham replied, her gaze on the dog as she scratched Fergus behind the ears.
How strange that a young gentlewoman would be wandering along Bond Street by herself with no footman to protect her. And really, she just adopted an oversized dog from the street? What sort of family allowed their daughter to come home with an eighty-pound stray?
He shook his head. Just as he was about to politely make their excuses, he glanced over at the four boys.
They were exchanging stories about their pets.
Grayson’s small hands waved in the air as he described his hound running through the kitchen garden, long ears flapping, and a scullery maid chasing the dog with her broom.
Laughter rang out from the other three boys as Grayson finished his story.
He hadn’t seen a smile like that on Grayson’s face for months.
And Tyler, usually so quiet, chatted like a magpie to Max and William.
Looking again at Miss Whittingham and her beast of a dog, he silently sighed. “We were just heading to the great meadow to throw balls for the dogs. Would you all care to join us?”
Miss Whittingham’s eyes widened. Her polite “No, thank you,” was drowned out by a chorus of “Yes!” from the boys. En masse, the children and dogs surged down the path. Miss Whittingham frowned as her brothers raced ahead.
“Shall we?” He gestured for her to precede him.
Taking the leashes in hand, she started down the path, and he fell in next to her as they walked past a row of blueberry bushes.
Andrew had never been comfortable making small talk, especially with women.
Despite growing up with a younger sister, he always felt rather awkward with the fairer sex.
When he was a young man, girls had simply left him tongue-tied and feeling oafish.
Never any type of lothario, he had allowed his parents to arrange a match and married right out of university.
He had quickly learned how manipulative and confusing women could be.
His wife had often accused him of not understanding her at all.
Since his wife’s death last winter, Andrew had been almost a total social recluse.
But earlier this summer, he decided to focus on getting himself and his children out of the house and back into some semblance of regular life.
His list of goals included the boys making friends with other children their age.
Taking a deep breath, he resigned himself to making conversation with this unusual lady.
As they arrived at the great meadow, Andrew pulled several balls from his coat pockets and threw them out to the boys. He spotted a bench nearby. Gesturing to it, he again said, “Shall we?”
Miss Whittingham looked up at him strangely but, nodding her head, went over and sat down on the bench.
Andrew floundered for something to say which wasn’t “Shall we?” lest she think him a total idiot. “How many dogs do you own? I remember there being quite a few tangled around my sister-in-law.”
“There are actually six dogs in all.” Miss Whittingham sighed.
Andrew raised both eyebrows.
“You see, I have five younger brothers and sisters. My uncle dotes on all the children, and he thought it would make terrific Christmas gifts if each could have their own puppy.” She sent him a wry look.
“They all loved him dearly for the gift, but he does not have to live with the menagerie. I had banished all the dogs to the mews. Lucy and Margaret have trained their little dogs sufficiently so they can now reside in the house. But Lord Pettigrew here and the boys’ pups are still too high-spirited to have the run of the house.
So here we are, trying to exercise off some energy. ”
“Lord Pettigrew?” Andrew had to smile.
“Yes, Abigail has a flair for the dramatic. I think Lord Pettigrew is some gothic novel hero.”
“And your parents don’t mind having six dogs running around?”
“My father passed away five years ago, only a year after my mother died birthing the twins. I am afraid the whole crazy bunch is mine to care for these days.” A look of sadness crept into her eyes.
Andrew had the sudden urge to take her hand and offer some comfort. “I know well the burden of responsibilities. What of your uncle? Didn’t he receive guardianship of the children?”