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Beside him, Rowena tensed, and Andrew reflexively put a hand on her back. He was aware that no one in theton, save for her family and himself, could guess what the marriage meant for her and her family. He didn’t know how she would react, and he held his breath, silently willing Lady Viola and her mother to be on their way.
“Thank you, my lady. It is indeed a happy occasion,” Rowena said at last, smiling at the older lady.
Lady Viola sniffed.
“Some would say is rather hasty, to be sure,” she said, her voice dripping with the bitterness of rejection. “There hasn’t even been a proper courtship. It makes one wonder what could have prompted such actions.”
“That’s enough, Viola,” her mother snapped, smiling apologetically at Andrew and Rowena. “I’m sorry, please forgive her, she’s rather out of sorts today.”
Andrew nodded graciously, as did Rowena, although he noticed her cheeks had turned scarlet. But he boiled inside. How dare the chit be so rude to his betrothed? He wanted to slap her sulky face. But he knew her words reflected the opinion of half theton, although he and Rowena were doing everything the proper way to avoid any scandal, just as Rowena had requested. For anyone to imply otherwise, as Viola had done, was a gross affront to both himself and Rowena.
Andrew was intent on removing himself and Rowena from the presence of Lady Viola and her mother when he was interrupted by frantic barking. Both he and Rowena looked down, to see her dog jumping up and down and tugging at his leash.
“What is it, Benji?” Rowena asked, bending down to pat the dog on the head. “Is it a squirrel?”
But the excited animal didn’t afford her even a glance. While Andrew was hoping the pup would jump up on Lady Viola’s dress and get it dirty, the little creature suddenly lurched forward with more strength and speed than Andrew would have guessed he had.
Time seemed to slow as the animal bolted forward, startling Rowena, and knocking her off balance. One minute, his fiancée was on her feet, scolding her puppy affectionately and the next, the dog tore off across the lawn, pulling Rowena behind him, with her flailing her arms before toppling to the ground.
The impact was so forceful that she rolled a few feet in the grass, and Lady Viola and her mother gasped in apparent shock. Andrew rushed over to where Rowena lay, sprawled out on the ground in a very unladylike fashion. Her dress had come up to her knees, and one of her gloves had slipped down her arm and bunched up at her wrist. Her bonnet was awry, and there was a smudge of dirt on the hip of her dress. Andrew crouched by her side, bracing himself for tears or a tantrum, certain Rowena must feel completely humiliated.
To his utter disbelief, Rowena began to shake, then to laugh. So hard, in fact, that her eyes began to water. Lady Viola and her mother stared at the spectacle, mouths open, and Andrew started laughing too, at the ridiculous spectacle they presented.
Benji had disappeared into the distance, still attached to his leash, and Andrew knew they would have to retrieve the mischievous dog later. Meanwhile, he looked back at his bride-to-be in wonder, noting how adorable she looked in her disheveled state. Any other lady, as Lady Viola and her mother were proving, would have found such an incident anything but amusing. Yet Rowena seemed to be having great fun.
“Excuse us,” Lady Viola said, grabbing her mother’s hand and hastily dragging her away from the scene. Andrew knelt beside his fiancée, who was still laughing.
“Are you all right?” he asked, still chuckling.
Rowena nodded, straightening her dress, so that it once more covered her legs, and then tucking them beneath her.
“Oh, yes,” she said, gasping for air amid her laughter. “That is not the first time Benji has broken free from me like that. He’s stronger than he looks, especially when he gets wind of a squirrel. They are his arch enemies.”
“Well, something set him off,” Andrew nodded, smiling, still in awe at how lightly Rowena was taking the situation. It was unusual for young ladies of thetonto take such embarrassing mishaps with good grace. Yet his fiancée didn’t seem to feel humiliated at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. It occurred to him then that he felt no shame either. What hedidfeel was new admiration for his fiancée and butterflies in his belly at the sound of her laughter.
“Can you stand?” he asked, standing up and offering her his hands.
Rowena nodded, her laughter trickling off at last as she took them.
“Yes, I think so,” she said. He helped her slowly to her feet. Sally came over to examine Rowena’s dress for damage, but it seemed fine except for a little dirt, and her mistress’s appearance was soon restored.
“Right,” Rowena said at last, gazing off in the direction where Benji had disappeared, “let us find the little rascal.”
With that, the trio set off on their mission. Andrew also noted how relaxed Rowena now seemed to be. Some women would have become hysterical over losing a small pet like that. But she seemed to be taking it all in her stride rather than getting all worked up about the situation. He realized then that she was unique among the women of theton, that she had an inner strength he couldn’t help but admire.
His fiancée had been right. Just a few minutes later, they discovered the dog sitting next to a young boy who was picnicking with his family. Andrew noticed that it was the first time Rowena looked genuinely embarrassed by what had happened. She walked toward the family, curtseying and giving them a sheepish look.
“Please, forgive my dog,” she said. “I apologize for him intruding on your meal.”
The woman smiled sweetly at her and shook her head.
“It is quite all right,” she said. “He is very sweet.”
Rowena smiled, appearing relieved.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at them all. “Benji, come.”
As though hearing her voice for the very first time since they had located him, the dog turned to face his mistress. He barked, immediately leaving the boy’s side and rushing toward them. However, he did not go to Rowena. Instead, he turned, running right for Andrew and leapt, putting his dirty paws on Andrew’s legs. He froze, unable to do anything but stare down at the creature, hoping for someone to save him.
