Page 67 of Gone With the Rogue
“Do you like him?” Chatwyn asked.
“He’s perfect. This hound might be old but he hasn’t lost his noble posture, has he?”
“No,” Chatwyn said, “but he can’t see well. He keeps bumping into walls and furniture.”
Garrett looked up at Julia as he cupped the dog’s gray muzzle with one hand and rubbed his ears with the other. “He has soulful eyes, and he’s just the kind of dog I need.”
Julia’s chest heaved. “I’m so glad you like him, too. He may not see well but he’s gentle. I thought he’d look grand lying by your feet in the evenings when you sit down to read and have a brandy.”
“All gentlemen should have a dog as grand, Julia. Thank you.” Garrett glanced back to Chatwyn as York moseyed up and nudged his shoulder. He patted York with one hand and the wolfhound with the other. The two old dogs were already friends. “It’s a good thing you found him when you did. He’s skin and bones.”
“I helped Mama get him home.”
“I’m glad you did. What’s his name?”
Chatwyn shrugged and looked up at Julia. “We don’t know. Mama said he’s your dog. You should be the one to name him.”
“All right. That seems fair. What’s your favorite name for a dog?” he asked Chatwyn.
“Bear because bears are strong and fierce like me.”Chatwyn puffed out his chest and made a growling noise.
“It just so happens that Bear’s my favorite name, too. So his name is Bear.”
“I’ve never had a dog by that name, but it is a fine name for him,” Julia said to her son. “You can take him back to the book room now,” she said to her son.
“Wait, before you go.” Garrett rose and handed one of the packages he had brought to Chatwyn. “I have something for you, too. These arrived on one of my ships today. Open it.”
Chatwyn tore off the lid of the wooden box. His eyes widened. “It’s an elephant, and a tiger. This is a lion, and there’s a giraffe in here, too.”
“Your own menagerie of wooden animals to play with.” Garrett glanced at Julia for approval.
She gave him an indulgent smile.
“What sound does a lion make?” Garrett asked Chatwyn.
“Roooar!” Chatwyn yelled.
Garrett laughed and looked at Julia again. “He needs a little practice. Perhaps he should hear a real lion roar some time.”
“No promises,” she answered in the same light tone.
“I’m in no hurry.”
“Take your menagerie upstairs,” she said to Chatwyn. “Have Miss Periwinkle re-comb your hair and change your waistcoat. Our guests will be arriving any minute now and they’ll all want to say hello to you before you’re put to bed.”
Chatwyn stomped up the stairs with his gifts. York turned and started down the corridor. Bear followed him.
Julia turned to Garrett. “You have very little time to dress before dinner.”
“I’ll make it,” he said. “First I have something for you.” He picked up the other package he’d brought in with him and handed it to her.
Julia smiled, knowing it was a book, but with the wide dark blue ribbon she couldn’t see the title. She untied the bow and read, “Quick and Easy Recipes for the Novice Cook.”
“You’ll note there are two pages bookmarked,” he said with amusement in his eyes. “One is on the page that has a recipe for bread, and the other for soup. Just in case you want to try making them a second time.”
Julia laughed. “You are terrible. You know Brina and I vowed never to try to cook again.”
“I’m not so sure about that. You never cease to amaze me with all you do and try to do.”
