“Evangeline, I believe Annabelle—” Before she could finish her sentence, Sebastian perked up and began sniffing the ground. He pulled hard on the lead before he made his way toward a gentleman. Then he tore his way free of Evangeline and jumped up with his paws on the man’s shoulders.
“Oh, dear!” Her friend seized her skirts and hurried to retrieve Sebastian. Lily kept Annabelle in her arms and joined her, praying her dog wouldn’t hurt the stranger.
“Stop it, Sebastian!” she called out.
But then she saw that the dog was licking the hands of a tall blond gentleman. “My goodness,” Evangeline breathed. She stopped running and touched her heart.
When Lily drew nearer, the man was laughing and petting Sebastian’s head. He gave the dog something from his pocket and then turned to smile at the women. “Now there’s a good boy.”
The moment she recognized him, Lily’s face fell. It was John Wilson, the Earl of Davonshire. It had been months since she’d spoken to him last, and then, only in passing. For a moment, she wondered what to say to him. Finally, she offered, “I’m terribly sorry, Lord Davonshire. The dog got away from us.”
The gentleman’s smile tightened and he tipped his hat. “Lady Lily.” The awkwardness seemed to fill the space between them. “I am glad to see you again.”
But all Lily could think was the heartbreaking notion that SebastianknewLord Davonshire. He was petting her dog and behaving as ifhewere the true owner.
“It has been a long time,” she managed. Then she handed Evangeline’s dog back to her. Sebastian was still licking Lord Davonshire’s fingers, utterly delighted with himself. And the earl appeared just as happy to see the dog. That didn’t bode well at all.
“Have you met Sebastian before?” she asked. “You seem to know one another.” The dog continued to circle the gentleman, his tail wagging furiously.
The man snapped his fingers, and her dog instantly lay down. “Louis, be still.”
Louis? Was that his true name?
“I beg your pardon. What did you call him?” Lily ventured.
Lord Davonshire turned back to her. “Louis ran off weeks ago and was lost. We could not find him anywhere until now.” He offered her a grateful smile. “I believe I am in your debt for taking such good care of him.” He leaned down and gave the dog another treat from his pocket.
A harsh lump rose up within her throat, for Lily had never considered the possibility of losing Sebastian. She bit her lip to hold back tears, feeling bereft.
He glanced over toward the place where Evangeline had been standing. “Was I mistaken, or didn’t you have a companion with you?”
It was then that Lily realized Evangeline had disappeared. She was no longer standing on the pathway—instead, she was hiding behind a willow tree.
“Miss Sinclair is rather shy,” Lily explained. She thought about calling Evangeline to come and meet Lord Davonshire, but then again, her friend might be humiliated by all of this. She returned her attention to Sebastian, kneeling beside him. When she ruffled his ears, he rolled to his back, exposing his stomach for her to rub.
“You know his favorite spot to be touched,” Lord Davonshire remarked. “And I can see that you’ve taken good care of Louis. I am eternally thankful for it.”
She tried to hold back her tears, but she had grown attached to the dog in the past two months. The lovable Sebastian had stolen a piece of her heart, and frankly, she didn’t want to give him back, even if he did belong to Lord Davonshire.
“How long have you had him?” she ventured.
“Three years. Ever since he was weaned as a pup,” he answered. “He was large, even then.”
But something about his words rang false. She could not recall her father ever mentioning a dog when he went to the residence of the Marquess of Chesham. Then, too, Sebastian’s leg had healed quickly—suggesting that he was younger in age. He behaved like a dog of one year instead of three.
Yet there was no denying that Sebastian was sniffing Davonshire’s pockets and seemed excited around the man. It was indeed possible that he was the dog’s true owner.
“I am sorry,” Lily said, feeling foolish. “It’s just that I rescued Sebastian from the streets when he was hit by a carriage. I’ve grown very fond of him.”
“He is a favorite of mine. I have two other dogs, but none so fine as Louis.” His blue eyes warmed as he spoke of them. “I am so glad to have him back again.”
She leaned down to study the dog, trying to decide what to do. The earl gently pressed the dog down and gave him another treat.
“I will miss him desperately,” Lily admitted. “I can’t bear the thought of going home without him.” Her heart was shattered at the thought of losing this animal who snuggled at her feet. He was the first creature she had ever saved, and she loved him. But she understood that Sebastian was not hers.
With regret, she remained standing in place while Lord Davonshire approached. His expression was somber, and he bowed to her. “Lady Lily, I am most thankful for your good care of my Louis. If I may pay a call upon you from time to time, perhaps I might bring him to visit?”
“Yes, of course.” But her voice broke with emotion. The earl removed Sebastian’s leash and handed it back to her. She knelt down and hugged the dog, unable to stop her tears when he licked her face. She ruffled his furry ears and stood, feeling utterly bereft. “I would like to see him to know that he is well.”
