Page 24 of Christmas at the Castle
A castle didn’t seem like the kind of place for a dog to roam free, but then again, neither did having full range of the palace grounds seem that safe, either. Wall or not.
The Brittany, however, didn’t seem to care what she thought. He stood there as if he owned the place.
Which he probably did.
The gorgeous dog had orange-and-white markings that defined his breed. A bright blue collar with a gold tag contrasted with his coloring.
“Hello there, handsome,” she said.
Beautiful amber eyes met hers. His head tilted as if he were curious.
Of course he was. He didn’t know who she was.
“I’m Kat. You must be Maximillian.”
His tail wagged.
“Are you back from your escapades? Where is your friend?”
He trotted over to her.
The dog showed no sign of anxiety or aggression, so she held out her hand. “You’re a handsome fellow.”
He sniffed with an adorable pink nose. Once, twice. Everything in him seemed to relax.
“Nice to meet you.”
He sat at her feet and raised his front right paw.
She shook it. “The pleasure is all mine, but you shouldn’t run away so much. People worry.”
Not people. Person. At least she thought Gill looked concerned, even if his words suggested he wasn’t.
Maximillian rubbed his muzzle against her hand.
“You’re a sweetie.”
Unlike his owner.
Still, a man with a dog couldn’t be all bad. Gill cared about this dog and his sister. That told Kat there had to be some piece of human left inside the robot. That was what he was—a royal automaton.
“Between you and me.” She scratched behind the dog’s ear. “I think the prince likes you, but I wouldn’t push him too far. He doesn’t seem to have much patience.”
At least not with her.
Maximillian responded with a lick to her cheek.
She laughed. “Aren’t you a love?”
The dog stood and trotted past her into the bedroom.
“Make yourself at home.”
He jumped on the bed and sat.
She walked toward him. “Are you allowed on the furniture?”
He lay on top of the duvet and rolled onto his back.
