The poor creature was nearly frantic, but as Caleb spoke soothingly to it, its struggles eased, and Elinor plunged her hands into the water, only to stand up a few moments later with a thick and heavy branch in her hand.
The dog—freed at last—yipped, which Caleb could have sworn was a joyous laugh in canine form. It then looked up at him, eyes full of worship.
“Don’t thank me, thank her.” He nodded at Elinor.
“It was this thing” She tossed it away. “I suppose the waters swept it up and jammed on the rocks. Somehow his paw ended up caught beneath it. I don’t believe he’s hurt, but it must have been quite frightening for the poor thing.”
The dog watched her quietly, then moved closer to Caleb.
“Well,” she snorted. “There’s thanks for you.”
Caleb couldn’t help it. He laughed aloud, making both Elinor and the dog stare at him in surprise. “I’m sorry. But this is certainly a day full of surprises.”
“I will agree with you about that.” She sighed and looked down at her soaked garments. “It’s also a very wet one, so I suggest our best course is to retreat before these waters get any higher.”
Caleb nodded. “Indeed yes. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Elinor.” He bowed gracefully, ignoring the clammy wetness of his breeches.
“Thank you, Sir Caleb.” Elinor looked around, then looked back at him. “ I refuse to curtsey while standing in a pond. So pretend I did.” She shrugged. “Take your dog and go home. And leave the hard work to those who are trained for it.”
Blinking, Caleb sucked in a breath of air, but before he could find his voice to argue with her, she’d gone, splashing carelessly across the field and into the trees.
He looked down to see the dog sitting beside him, also watching her.
“Hmm.”
The dog’s head turned as he looked up at the sound.
“She’s gone. So now what do I do with you?” He retraced his steps, making his way carefully to the drier edge of the field and the path back to the Abbey.
His new friend followed, tail up now, his coat soaked, but his ears perky as he trotted beside his saviour.
“Good God,” sighed Caleb. “I believe I now have a dog.”
The answering woof confirmed that assumption, and the dog gave him what could only be described as a huge grin.
Chapter Five
Mrs Deryn opened the back door to the kitchen and yelped as something black, wet, and with four legs rushed past her into the house.
“Dear Lord,” she gasped, hands clasped to her bosom. “The devil itself is in my kitchen.”
Caleb hurried to soothe her. “No, not at all, dear lady. Never think I’d allow such a thing.” He looked sternly at the dog. “This is…er…well, he doesn’t have a name yet, but we rescued him from drowning down by the stream.”
“Oh.” She looked more closely. “Poor thing. He looks a bit skinny, doesn’t he?”
“Probably half-starved,” said Caleb wisely. There was nothing like a bit of sympathy to calm everything down a bit.
“Well, we’ll see about that.” She glanced up. “And oh, dear, sir. Look at you. Dripping all over my clean floor. You go right upstairs this minute and change out of those wet clothes…I’ll have Baggy bring them down to dry by the fire here.”
Holding back a laugh at hearing his august butler-cum-valet referred to as “Baggy”, Caleb simply nodded.
But apparently the dog had developed an affection for him that necessitated his presence at all times. So his movement to the door immediately alerted the dog, who trotted up to him and sat, leaning against his thigh.
“Awww…” Mrs Deryn melted. “Look at that, will you? He’s a smart lad. Knows who saved his life, that’s for sure.”
“He’s wrong about that, but yes, it seems he likes me.” Caleb shrugged. “I’ll take him up with me, and he can dry off while I change. Then we’ll both be back down. And a cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss…”
“Of course, sir. And I’ve got some nice Shrewsbury cakes coming out of the oven soon, so they’ll be waiting for you. There’s a good fire going in the parlour.”
