Page 80 of The Duke's Auctioned Spinster
“Yes?”
“Do you remember you asked me to look into that stray dog?”
Edmund’s ears pricked up. He had completely forgotten about that dog. It brought to mind thoughts of his and Rose’s first promenade. They had been testing each other, and he had seen an example of her willfulness when she went charging away into the trees to chase after the dog.
“Yes, and?”
“I found it, Your Grace. It has been lurking near a church,” George said, handing the address to Edmund. “I thought you should know. I would not want you to leave London with any unfinished business.”
Edmund stared at the address and thought about the dog, and how Rose had acted towards it. How she had cared for that poor stray left to fend for itself. He began to realize that he had more in common with that dog than he liked to admit. But still... Rose had been worried about it, and it might be nice to leave things on a better note than before.
Edmund ordered George to fetch the carriage. He pulled on his gloves and jacket, then set out to find the dog. He reached the church and saw the dog lapping water from a bowl. It was a straggly, exhausted little thing, and it flinched when Edmund approached.
“May I help you?” a reverend said.
“I came for the dog. I know the owner. I was going to take the poor soul back to her, if you do not mind,” Edmund replied.
“Not at all. We must all make our way home in the end,” the reverend dropped to one knee and petted the dog. “Your adventure is over, boy. It is time for you to go back where you belong.”
For a moment, Edmund wondered if the reverend was speaking to the dog or himself. Edmund picked the dog up. It writhed and wriggled for a moment, but settled when it realized that Edmund was not going to release it. It sat opposite Edmund in the carriage and peered out of the window. Edmund’s heart started beating more forcefully as they approached Rose’s house.
He carried the dog to the door and knocked loudly. Jenny answered, and she looked startled.
“I wish to see Lady Rose,” Edmund said.
Jenny’s gaze shifted between him and the dog. “I am not sure she is feeling well enough to take visitors, Your Grace.”
“Imustsee her,” Edmund said. Jenny melted in the face of his authority and ran back inside the house. Moments later, Rose appeared, startled.
“You,” she said, and wore a look of vexation. Clearly, Jenny had not told Rose that he awaited her. Rose softened when she saw the dog, however.
“I wanted to bring him to you. You seemed worried about him, and I think he might be better served being in your care than wandering about London.”
“You found him? How?” Rose said, opening her arms to take the dog from Edmund. Edmund brushed and picked away the stray dog fur that gathered on his clothes.
“It seemed important to you, so I put my best men on it after our first promenade. I only received word this morning and wanted to come by and give him to you personally. I do not like how things were left between us.”
“I do not either, but I am not sure they could have been left any better, although I am sorry for snapping at you. It is just that I was not expecting to see you again and...”
Edmund held up his hand.
“You do not need to apologize, Rose. And I can assure you that you will not have to be startled in such a way again. I will not be around much longer to bother you. I shall be leaving London for Southampton tonight, and my ship departs tomorrow,” he said, although now that he was standing before Rose, he felt a reluctant pull at his words.
“Oh,” Rose said. “So this is truly goodbye.” She bent down and placed the dog on the floor. It went further into the house, sniffing its way through the unknown territory.
Edmund could not help himself. He stepped forward and touched her face.
“Rose, this may be unfair of me, but I cannot have you hating me. I know this is not what we would have wished. Please understand that I cared for you more than anyone. You...”
Rose caught his wrist and pulled his hand away from her cheek.
“Please, Edmund, you have already caused me enough pain. This is… this is not what I wish to hear.”
“Then let us kiss once more,” he said, leaning forward, unable to control his desire now that he was standing before her once again. His voice was low. He was captivated by the stray locks of hair that framed her face, by the bow of her lips that parted ever so slightly, offering him an invitation.
“No… not here,” she whispered, glancing toward the door. She pulled him into a sitting room. The door was left ajar. This was not a moment for rules or propriety.
But as Edmund approached her again, Rose started to sob. Her eyes glistened. He touched her arm and looked concerned.
