“I am not sure how; she is a very skittish creature.” Dominic sighed.
“I have some ham sandwiches. Perhaps we could lure her out with some food?” Charlotte began to rifle through the picnic basket, taking note of anything that might appeal to a hunger dog.Cheese, ham, bread. Ooh, chicken, goodness no wonder the basket was so heavy.
“I have offered her sausages, and she almost took them from me until you burst around the corner.” Dominic shook his head, and Charlotte felt a stab of guilt.
“I am sorry,” Charlotte murmured, resting a hand on Dominic’s arm.
“I am sorry. I should have told you where I was going earlier.” He gently placed his own hand on top of her fingers and squeezed them reassuringly before adding, “After all, you might have needed to find me for the next event.”
“Yes. The next event.” Charlotte felt a stab of disappointment. “Well, hopefully we will not miss anything this afternoon — I expect this may take some time.”
“Hopefully not too long, it looks like rain.” Cecily frowned up at the gathering clouds in the sky.
“We should act quickly then.” Dominic took some of the food from their picnic basket and threw it towards the dog.
As he did so, Charlotte and Cecily knelt on the ground, making themselves as small and unthreatening as possible.
“Had you given any thought to what you might do with her once you had got her from under the hedge?” Charlotte asked as Dominic returned for more food.
“I thought to bring her and the puppies to the kennels,” he answered, keeping an eye on the dog.
She was sniffing the air, and it was clear she was interested. Charlotte watched as she carefully crept forwards and grabbed the food on the ground before retreating back to her sanctuary.
“I thought your grandmother had a no pets policy,” Charlotte whispered.
“At such large family events, yes. But she does have kennels and servants who have been looking after her own dogs,” Dominic explained.
“She visits them when she is tired of playing games with all of us,” Cecily added.
“Will she not be angry if you bring a stray home?” Charlotte asked curiously.
“Possibly. If it comes to it, I am sure I will think of a way to get back in her good graces.” Dominic gave her an easy grin, and Charlotte felt her heart flutter. “Though my grandmother is not as hard hearted as she would have people believe, and I doubt she would begrudge me helping the animal.”
Dominic had been moving away from them, his arm outstretched with a piece of ham in his hand. As he had been talking, the little dog had crept forwards and sniffed his hand suspiciously. Charlotte saw him freeze as he felt the brush of her nose against his palm.
A moment later, she had grabbed the ham but did not retreat. Charlotte glanced at Cecily, seeing her own excitement reflected in the other woman’s gaze.
Dominic was gently murmuring to the dog, beckoning for someone to hand him more food while she was so close. Carefully, Charlotte moved forward, trying not to startle the stray.
She handed Dominic a slice of cheese and watched as he offered it to the dog. The dog took it and wagged her tail, darting a nervous look at Charlotte before moving closer to Dominic, whining for more food.
Charlotte handed him more cheese which he handed to the dog. She wagged her tail enthusiastically and then moved closer to Charlotte. She offered the dog another piece of cheese. The dog accepted.
Then the dog darted back under the hedge and appeared with a puppy. Charlotte gasped.
“It would seem we have earned her trust,” Dominic murmured, smiling at her.
The dog brought four puppies to them, each whimpering and snuffling. They were small, underfed. They were unsteady on their feet, and Charlotte carefully scooped two into her arms. The dog watched her but did not do anything.
Dominic did the same with the two remaining puppies and then glanced at Cecily. “Could you run ahead and tell them to expect new arrivals?”
“Of course!” Cecily darted off, grabbing the picnic basket as she did so.
Charlotte looked at the tiny creatures in her arms and breathed in deeply. The puppies nuzzled against her, whimpering as the wind began to pick up.
“Let us make haste. I do not want them to be caught out in the open.” Dominic glanced at the darkening sky.
“Nor do I,” Charlotte agreed. “How far is it to the kennels?”
