“I am sure they would be fine. There is plenty of space at Verimore.” The Dowager Duchess waved a dismissive hand.
“If you want to keep one, I would be glad to keep it for you.” Dominic looked at Charlotte, but she could not quite make out his expression.
“I… Let me think on it,” Charlotte replied.
“Do not think too long. If I know my family, half a dozen will already be on their way here to stake their claim.” The Dowager Duchess bent down and held out a hand for the mother dog to sniff. “Besides, you are clearly rather attached to the creatures. The kennel master informs me that you offered to stay here all night to tend to them?”
The dog moved towards her cautiously and gave her a tentative lick.
“I… Well, I know we have made much extra work for your staff, and the puppies will need much over the next few days.” Charlotte swallowed.What if she thinks I am implying her staff are incompetent.“I am sure that they would be perfectly up to the task; I just feel some responsibility I suppose.”
“An admirable sentiment though I would not want you to miss too much of the games. I shall arrange for an extra hand or two, and that will help with much of the work.” The Dowager Duchess gently tickled the dog under her chin, a soft expression on her face.
“I think I shall call you Venus.” The Dowager Duchess said to the dog before looking at Charlotte and Dominic. “An apt name, do you not think?”
Before either of them could say anything, the Dowager Duchess stood, and left, calling over her shoulder. “You can have fourteen points for bringing me a new companion, but I will have to dock seven because you missed this afternoon’s event.”
“Did you mean what you said?” Charlotte asked, as she watched the Dowager Duchess’s retreating figure. “About the puppy?”
“Of course, I did,” Dominic replied, and he looked as though he were about to say something more, but at that moment, several people appeared, each wanting to look at the puppies.
“I am afraid, My Lords and Ladies, I must ask you to leave. The animals need their rest,” a servant said, gesturing to the exit.
Charlotte left, walking beside Dominic. As they returned to the castle, she found herself thinking about his offer and realised that part of her wanted to accept.Do not be ridiculous; how would that even work? You are not going to marry him.
She was probably just caught up in the excitement of puppy love, and that was affecting her judgement. Once she had spent some time away from impossibly adorable puppies, she would return to her senses. At least, she hoped so.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Punting? She cannot be serious.” Dominic gaped at his cousin.
He and Frederick were walking down to the lake together. It was the day after they had found the puppies, and Dominic had been checking on them in the kennels when Frederick had found him and informed him of the next event.
“Have you ever known Grandmother to jest about such a thing?” Frederick raised an eyebrow at him.
“No,” Dominic sighed.
“And it’s not just a punt. It is some kind of strange scavenger hunt. Or rather, she has decided it would be funny for the men to pick wildflowers for the women and for the women to find something for the men once we have reached the other side of the lake.”
Dominic groaned. “Of course. She would use it as an excuse to play the match maker.”
“I hope your lady love can swim,” Frederick muttered.
“I can, but why would I need to?” Charlotte’s voice sounded in his ear.
Dominic jumped, neither he nor his cousin had noticed Charlotte approach. He turned to her, his breath catching as he saw the smile on her face. She had done her hair in a different style, and he could not help but appreciate how beautiful she looked.
“Because my cousin is a poor punter at the best of times.” Frederick darted out of the way as Dominic tried to thump him.
“I am not.” He scowled.
“I do not think I have ever seen a boat capsize as many times as I have seen when you are at the helm.” Frederick added to Charlotte in a stage whisper, “Honestly, by the time we were done, I might as well have swum. If I did not know any better, I would have thought you had done it on purpose.”
“Perhaps I thought the water would do you good,” Dominic said sweetly.
“And what if you decide it would do me good?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him.
“I do not think that is likely,” he said.
