“All right.” Dorothea’s smile returned. “Will Aunt Ava and Aunt Maisie come next time as well?”
“Only if they bring their dogs.”
“They have dogs too?” Dorothea gasped which made Catriona laugh.
“Of course, they do.”
“Then I want a dog as well,” Dorothea said with determination. “But I don’t think Daddy will let me have one.”
“You never know what may happen in the future, Dorothea.” They made it to the foyer where the butler stood waiting with the picnic basket in hand. Catriona took it from him with a murmur of thanks, and then she took Dorothea’s hand again, leading her out to the back.
“Do you really think it’s possible for me to convince him?” Dorothea asked.
Catriona was almost certain that Joseph would never allow it, nor would he particularly care if she were to suggest it herself, but she didn’t want to kill Dorothea’s spirit so she said, “I believe so, yes. And if he does say yes, what will you name it?”
“Hannah,” Dorothea said without hesitation.
“Why Hannah?”
“That was my mother’s name.”
Catriona nearly stopped walking at that. That was the first time she’d ever heard anyone make mention of the past duchess. Had it not been for Dorothea’s presence, she would begin to second-guess whether she had ever existed.
They delved out into the garden, making their way to the fence that barred them from the river on the other side. Dorothea took the lead here, showing Catriona how she had slipped out that fated day. The hole was indeed big enough for Catriona to slip through if she wished to, but she’d asked the grounds man to open the gate ahead of time, so they took that exit instead.
The entire trip to the riverbank, Catriona could only think of Hannah—the once nameless duchess who was now forming a presence in her mind. Her curiosity welled within her, but she forced it back, knowing that this was neither the time nor the place. She’d brought Dorothea out here to bond with her, not to make her relive her past and talk about her deceased mother.
Nina barked loudly as Catriona began setting up the picnic, throwing herself into the shallow end of the water. Dorothea giggled and raced after her but stopped right at the bank, looking just about ready to jump in herself.
“Be careful, Dorothea,” Catriona called out to her. “I wouldn’t want you to fall into the water again.”
“I won’t,” Dorothea sent over her shoulder. “I don’t want Daddy to get upset with me. Or with you.”
“Your father always seems to be upset with me,” Catriona said with a laugh.
Dorothea turned and made her way to the blanket, sitting primly down with her legs tucked to the side. “He is always upset with me too,” she murmured as she reached for a small cucumber sandwich.
Catriona’s heart softened. “It is only because he wants what is best for you.”
“I know. But I think he’s too overprotective of me sometimes.” She looked up at Catriona, eyes glowing in the sunlight. “I like spending time with you.”
Catriona reached out on instinct, brushing her fingers across Dorothea’s cheek in a tender motion. “I like spending time with you too. And I think Nina does as well.”
Nina came bounding over at that moment, panting heavily. She shook off her coat and then crept closer to plop down next to the blanket which made Dorothea smile broadly.
It was truly a beautiful day. A gentle breeze drifted past, the refreshing lemonade cooling Catriona’s heated body. Dorothea told her about her lessons for the day, about how good she was at learning other languages but she seemed to struggle with her numbers. She told her how fascinated she was by Ava’s playing that day and when Catriona suggested that Ava visit again to teach her how to, Dorothea lit up with excitement.
As the sun began its slow descent, marking the arrival of late afternoon, Dorothea and Nina began to play with each other. Catriona had brought a book with her, and she was content to read while Dorothea chased her dog along the riverbank, the sound of laughter filling the air.
It was such a beautiful moment, such a lovely picnic, that she doubted that anything could ruin it.
“Catriona!”
Oh, how wrong she was.
Fury tasted bitter on his tongue, a familiar presence that Joseph both despised and welcomed. He marched over to where Catriona was slowly getting to her feet on the blanket, so angry that he was beyond words.
She had the nerve to look at him with surprise, those big green eyes utterly confused as to why he looked so angry. As if she couldn’t fathom what she must have done wrong.
