The ‘feral creature’ happened to be a small dog, who was quite interested in the refreshments table. He was jumping, trying to reach the hors d’oeuvres on the table.
“That foul beast has gone mad!” Lady Gillray said.
Selina couldn’t help but smile as she approached the dog. She approached it too quickly, and it startled slightly, but then she held out her hand for the dog to sniff. “You’re a cute little thing,” she cooed. “You’re hardly a foul beast.” She patted the dog on the head. “You’re just a cute little cocker spaniel.”
“Selina, stop!” Lady Gillray demanded. “You do not know where that creature has been.”
“It is clean and well groomed,” Selina responded as she picked up the dog. The dog licked her face, and she smiled.
“For heaven’s sakes, that thing will bite you!” her godmother said.
“It doesn’t seem very violent to me. Just hungry.” She grabbed a small piece of chicken from the refreshment table and fed it tothe dog. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” she cooed. “I know what you want. You don’t have to speak for me to understand you.”
A frazzled-looking man came rushing onto the pavilion. His face went pale when he saw Selina holding the dog. “I beg your pardon, my lady,” he said, bowing low. “This one escaped without my knowing. Please forgive me for the intrusion.”
“It was no intrusion at all,” Selina said, handing the dog over to him. “He was a perfect gentleman. He just wanted some refreshments. That’s all.”
The man bowed again and then walked away with the dog. It was only after the pair left that Selina realized everyone was staring at her. Her cheeks burned. She had not even been here five minutes, and she had already made a fool of herself. She only hoped no one would hold it against her sister.
“Forgive me,” she said, her voice a little shaky as she wiped at her cheek where the dog had licked her. “I forgot myself for a moment.”
The dowager duchess smiled, a thoughtful expression on her face. “There is nothing to forgive. I personally think the world could use a little more compassion, don’t you?”
She turned to the other guests. “It wouldn’t be a proper party if there weren’t some unexpected excitement,” she said, laughing. “Please, carry on.”
Selina struggled to keep her shoulders squared and her head held high. Christine came up to her. “I think that was a kind thing that you did,” she said. “Besides, who could resist such a cute dog?”
“Everyone else here, apparently,” Selina muttered.
Lady Gillray hurried up to them and grabbed Christine’s arm. “The Earl of Westbridge has just arrived,” she said. “I’ve heard that he’s looking for a wife. I must introduce you immediately.” She didn’t even glance at Selina as she pulled Christine to talk to the nobleman who had just entered the pavilion.
Selina approached the dowager duchess. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but might I trouble you for a maid to show me to my room? I would like to rest somewhere before the ball tonight. I am quite tired.”
The older lady’s eyes gleamed. “Nonsense, my dear,” she said. “I shall show you myself.”
The two of them went inside the manor together. Selina couldn’t help but be relieved to be away from the other guests who witnessed her spectacle with the dog.
“Your room has already been prepared,” the dowager said. “You will be able to rest in peace before the ball.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Your hospitality is much appreciated.” She was relieved. Selina had not slept well at her godmother’smanor, and not just because she was confined to a narrow cot in a vacant servant’s room. After spending five years sleeping in the same room at finishing school, it felt strange to be sleeping anywhere else, especially under the same roof as a woman who loathed her.
“It is no trouble, my dear. And when it is just us, perhaps we can forgo the formalities. After all, I held you when you were only a baby. I do not think they are necessary.”
“Truly?” Selina looked at her, shocked. She had no idea. She didn’t think she had ever personally met the dowager duchess before today.
“Indeed,” the older woman said, her eyes twinkling. “Your mother and I were friends, you know. You look quite a bit like her.”
Selina smiled, even as the back of her eyes started to sting. “My father told me I look like her, too. I’m afraid I don’t remember her as much as I wish to.”
“She was taken from us too young.” She sighed and shook her head. “I am afraid that when my son passed, I did not maintain my friendships as much as I wished I did. So I didn’t see her very much in her last few years.”
Selina was only five years old when her mother passed during Christine’s birth. She smiled sadly.
“Forgive me, talking about such unpleasant topics,” the dowager duchess laughed softly. “Tell me, are you looking to make a love match while you are here? That is the purpose for this little gathering, after all.”
Selina smiled. “I am mostly here to be with my sister. I have dearly missed her, after all.”
“Of course. Five years is too long to be away from one’s family. It is unfortunate that circumstances pulled you apart for so long. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if you made a love match? Then you would end up with children of your own.”
