“About a fifteen-minute walk from here. Less if we walk fast,” Dominic replied.
“Then let us walk fast.” Charlotte sped up, keeping pace with Dominic.
“What about your ankle?” he glanced down, worriedly.
“My ankle is fine,” Charlotte answered. “It was only a bad sprain, I think, and I have rested well.”
The dog yipped excitedly as they made their way towards the kennels, every so often stopping to jump up and paw at one of the puppies. Charlotte smiled at her.
They walked in companiable silence, and eventually, they reached the kennels, where they were ushered in by a waiting servant. Charlotte walked into the pen with the mother dog close at her heels. The puppies began to whimper.
“Shhh, little ones, shhhh. All will be well.” She gently guided the mother dog to the small bed, encouraging her to lie down as she placed each of the puppies with the mother.
One immediately began to latch, and the other attempted to explore, but Charlotte guided it back to the mother. She heard footsteps behind her, and a moment later, Dominic appeared with the other puppies.
“I am worried about how skinny she is,” Charlotte murmured as the remaining puppies joined their siblings. “The puppies look healthy enough, but she is practically skin and bones.”
“She will need to keep her strength up to nurse them all,” Dominic agreed, a worried look on his face.
“Indeed.” Charlotte called to one of the servants. “Do you have anything I might feed the mother? To help her regain her strength. And perhaps something for the puppies?”
“Of course, My Lady. The kennel master is just making preparations,” the servant began as a harried looking man appeared.
Charlotte took the food and small bottles of liquid from him. “Thank you, good sir. I am sorry for us adding to your work.”
“Think nothing of it, My Lady; it is only a few extra mouths to feed, and I shudder to think what might have happened to them if you had not found them.” The kennel master shook his head.
“We can care for them until you have time to attend them yourself,” Charlotte offered, noting how the man looked between the puppies and his other charges.
“I would not wish you to give up any more of your time.”
“Nonsense. Besides, the mother already trusts us, so it will be easier in that respect.” Charlotte gestured to the mother dog, who was at that moment gently nuzzling Dominic’s hand for food. “We shall stay here all night if needed.”
“Thank you, My Lady, but that will not be necessary. By the evening, I shall have all the hands I need.” The kennel master bowed and left.
Over the next few hours, Charlotte and Dominic tended to the mother dog and her puppies, each taking turns to feed one of the litter to give the mother a chance to regain her strength.
“What will happen to them? After the games and such?” Charlotte asked, gently stroking the puppy in her lap to encourage it to feed..
“The puppies will no doubt find homes among the guests.” Dominic gestured around them.
“They are very sweet.” Charlotte smiled at the sleeping puppy on her foot.
“Perhaps you should keep one,” Dominic suggested. “It seems that this one is already rather attached to you.”
“My stepmother would never allow it.” Charlotte shook her head.
“Well, you will not have to be there forever,” Dominic pointed out.
“Perhaps Dominic could keep it for you? After all, you will live together once you are married,” a voice said from behind them.
Charlotte turned and saw the Dowager Duchess surveying them. She swallowed and glanced at Dominic, who glanced back at her.
“I would not want to be a bother,” Charlotte said.
“You would not be a bother,” Dominic said quickly at the same time as the Dowager Duchess said, “Why would that be a bother?”
“Dominic has his setters. I would worry that they might not get on well with a new addition.” Charlotte felt her cheeks redden.
