“These hunting dogs run through the muck, miss, for ’tis their job to flush the game, wherever it is to be found. It would be no good for them to be in the house with his lordship in London all the time. But I take Rowena home when she is not with a litter.”
Helena smiled at this.
“Miss Emerson’s suggestion is a good one, Hoskins. I think I will choose a pup to raise in the house myself. I remember running through the house with a pair of dogs that must have been the forebears of these. Rex and Riley.”
Hoskins grinned. “Riley was Rowena’s grandfather, sir.”
The viscount smiled just a little. “There is a resemblance, to be sure. I remember him as enormous, black and fierce.”
“But loyal, as well, sir.”
“Indeed.”
“But why the biggest female?” Helena asked.
“She will not be shy, nor will her siblings have bullied her,” the ostler said. “She will not be timid.” Helena watched as one pup growled at another, nudging it away from the mother with a purpose that was not a jest. “’Tis better if the bigger pups have homes first, then in their absence, the smaller ones come into their own.”
“Goodness, it sounds complicated.”
“They work it out, miss, just as nature intended.” The ostler reached down and lifted a glossy black pup, taking her from the nipple with authority. She was as black as midnight with a white bib and half of her face was white. Her eyes were dark and she was as soft as velvet. “This would be the biggest of the girls. Born first she was, this one, and she already knows her mind.”
“Look at her paws!” Aunt said.
“She will be as big as her father, I wager,” Hoskins said. He set her down beside Helena, who offered her hand to the dog as she had with Rufus. The puppy sniffed her and wagged, then licked her gloved fingertips before pouncing on the toe of her slipper that peeked out beneath the hem of her skirts. Helena squealed and retreated but the puppy followed, stumbling clumsily after her, that tail aloft and wagging.
“Don’t you chew my slippers,” Helena said, scolding.
The puppy’s eyes glinted and her tail wagged. She gave a little bark and jumped toward Helena’s other toe. Helena fled a few steps and the pup bounced after her with delight. When she halted, the puppy collapsed over her foot and nuzzled her instep so that it tickled. Helena laughed and the pup gave a joyful bark. The mother barked a summons but the puppy did not return to her, simply looking up at Helena in adoration as she wagged her tail. Her tongue was a lovely shade of pink and her nose black and cold.
By the time Helena had confessed her satisfaction, the puppy had demolished a ribbon rose on one slipper. She attacked the second, moving so quickly that there was no chance to stop her.
“If you had worn your boots, Helena, your slippers would not have been damaged,” Aunt Fanny chided.
“But I like these slippers,” Helena protested. She leaned down and tapped the puppy’s nose. “Naughty girl. You must leave my slippers alone.” The puppy wagged her tail as if in agreement and Helena could not remain cross with her.
“She will need a name,” Aunt Fanny said, as if the decision was made.
“Mischief,” Helena said on impulse, patting the pup’s head. “Her name shall be Mischief, for what she has done to my slippers.” The pup barked then nipped at her finger, spinning in a circle as if in approval. She then tumbled to the ground as shetripped over her own feet, rolled over and bounced to her feet again. Helena could not help but laugh and the puppy barked.
“That is a happy bark,” Helena guessed and the ostler nodded approval.
“That it is, miss. I wager she likes you.”
“A good choice then,” Lord Addersley said. He picked up the puppy and carried her back to the mother, nestling her back in place. The pup looked back at Helena before suckling again. Helena realized she would be able to identify her, given her size and coloring. It was a case of learning to look at what was before her eyes.
“She doesn’t want me to forget her,” Helena said.
“She will not forget you,” Lord Addersley said with authority. “Nor will Hoskins and I forget that she is your choice. I thank you, Hoskins. Please choose a pup for the house for me.”
“I will indeed, sir. The biggest male, sir?”
“Indeed, in the spirit of Riley.”
Rufus escorted them from the stables, as if to ensure that they were not taking any of the pups with them.
As they headed back toward the house, Aunt Fanny cleared her throat. “Such a handsome house, my lord, with a fine prospect.”
“My father had it built as a wedding gift for my mother,” he acknowledged without much interest.
