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How could he tell Rowena that his distrust of dogs, all pets, in fact, stemmed from his father drumming it into him that only weak people kept pets. Trying to be casual and not make a scene in front of the family who, thankfully, had returned to their picnic, Andrew carefully stepped back and turned around, frowning deeply as he waited for Rowena and her maid to get the creature on its leash once more so they could resume their walk.
As they moved away from the family and back toward the main part of the park, Rowena touched his hand.
“Do you dislike dogs?” she asked.
Andrew glanced down at her, expecting her to be angry or even sad. But instead, she appeared to be concerned and genuinely curious. He heard himself speaking before he could stop himself.
“My late father refused to let me have a pet when I was a young boy,” he said. “He said that having a dog made a man weak. I suppose I do not so muchdislike dogs. I just do not know how tolikethem.” He bit his lip to silence himself, shocked by his instant candor. He didn’t know what had come over him for him to share such a personal thing with his fiancée. He flushed and looked ahead, trying to not let her see how his own words had affected him.
Rowena put her hand on his hand again and gripped it gently, causing him to stop walking. When he looked at her again, her eyes were filled with sympathy and warmth.
“That is terrible,” she said. “I believe that all children who love animals should be allowed to have pets. I am sorry that happened to you.”
Andrew’s heart stopped. Her compassion was sincere, and Andrew found himself smiling.
“That is kind of you to say,” he said. “And I want you to know that I do not have a problem with you having a dog or any pet when we are married. Benji clearly means a great deal to you.”
His fiancée smiled, and he thought he saw her shoulders relax. He wondered if she had thought that, if he didn’t like dogs, he would make her give up having a pet.
“Thank you, Andrew,” she said. Then, she squeezed his hand tenderly. “When we are married, Benji will be yours, as well.”
Andrew stared at his fiancé. He hadn’t thought about that until right then. He looked at Benji, who was sitting at his feet, staring up at him with his big brown eyes. For the first time since he was a boy, he didn’t feel repulsion when looking at a dog.
“You are too kind, indeed, Rowena,” he said, blushing. He looked away sheepishly, marveling at how her sweetness was making him feel. He didn’t know if he could ever love the dog as she did. But because she was offering to share the animal with him, he wanted to try.
Chapter Twenty
Dear Rowena,
I hope this letter finds you well. Please forgive me for being unable to spend time with you for the next few days. I had to go to Bath to tend to some business. As soon as I am back in London, I will call on you to see how you are faring.
In the interim, however, I wish to extend to you an invitation. There will be an opera performance on the night of my anticipated return, which will be four days from now. I would be honored if you and your parents would join me at the opera house.
You may respond to my invitation at your leisure. If I do not hear otherwise, I will go on and arrange for us all to attend. I do hope you will accept my invitation. It is sure to be a lovely evening.
Farewell, Rowena.
Yours,
Andrew Elton
“What does it say?” Sally asked impatiently just as Rowena finished reading the letter she had brought her mistress earlier that morning. Rowena had put off reading it until time for bed. She was glad she had. It would give her time to consider the baron’s request before mentioning it to her family.
“He is inviting us all to the opera,” she said. To her surprise, she found she enjoyed the idea of going to the opera with Andrew. He was proving to be every bit the gentleman he portrayed himself to be. She was still uncertain if she was making the right decision to marry him. But she was learning that he was doing everything he could to make her feel comfortable with the idea, just as he had said.
“Will you go?” Sally asked cautiously. She was still unconvinced regarding the baron’s intentions. But, like Rowena, she knew the alternative was far worse.
Rowena shrugged, rising so that Sally could help her dress for bed.
“It sounds lovely,” she admitted. “I suppose I just find it strange that he is making such an effort to spend time with me, when ours is to be a marriage of convenience.”
Sally nodded, her expression thoughtful.
“Do you think it is possible that he is developing feelings for you?” she asked.
Rowena laughed softly and shook her head.
“I very much doubt it,” she said. But even as she spoke, she considered her maid’s question. Could there be the potential for romance, even in such a marriage?
