“She mentioned wishing to come for a visit then.”
“Prince, no,” Louisa scolded as Prince pulled his leash toward a flock of geese along one of the small ponds. She should have seen this coming. This would be no relaxing walk.
“Here, would you like me to take the leash?” Robert held a hand out toward it.
“No, I had better keep it. He can be a bit difficult on walks with wild creatures about. While he might be small, he believes he is a protector of sorts.”
“Yes. That goose there looks ready to attack at any moment. Without him, we would be doomed.”
Louisa lightly stuck an elbow into Robert’s side. “He means well. Let us allow him to think he is helpful. What is the harm in that?”
Robert let loose another smile and her heart faltered. She had always believed him to be severe and thus had tainted her view of his appearance. But when he smiled, all his hard edges softened and made her think another man laid beneath all the bravado. And more and more, she was finding a curiosity burning within her to know more about him. But she had to tread carefully. She did not want curiosity to lead her down the road to affection.
Louisa was so distracted by Robert’s dashing smile that when a goose let out a horrid honking sound, she was not prepared for Prince to pull on his leash with every ounce of strength his small white body contained. She gasped as the fabric slipped from her hand. Before she could reach down and grab it, Prince was streaking across the green grass, barreling toward the flock of geese and sending them sprawling into the air like a feathery plume of smoke.
“Prince!” Louisa began to run after him, but Robert pulled her arm.
“You cannot chase a dog through Hyde Park, Louisa.” Robert’s words were firm but quiet.
“What am I to do then?”
He sighed, pinching his nose before striding ahead. White feathers fluttered about as Prince ran in circles, yipping at the air. The geese refused to settle back in the grass amidst his constant threat of attack.
Just as Robert made it to the fiasco, taking cautious steps as he watched where his feet stepped, the geese began their descent to the glassy surface of the pond.
Louisa hurried over to Robert, but as he went to grab Prince under his belly, her horrid little dog took a flying leap into the murky water.
“Prince, no!”
Robert ran a hand along his face as he rolled his shoulder. “Now we get to escort a wet dog home. I cannot say I’ve ever enjoyed the smell that accompanies such a thing.”
“But he can’t swim.” Louisa’s gaze darted toward the water, watching as Prince rather deftly paddled after the geese. They didn’t seem threatened, only swimming ahead of him whenever he drew near.
Robert propped his hands on his hips as he watched Prince tread the water, attempting to get little nips of the geese. “He seems to be swimming now.”
“But I do not know how long he can keep going.” Her heart began pounding in her ears.
“He is an animal. I’m sure he knows his limits and will come back before too long.”
Louisa’s chest burned as Prince swam farther and farther toward the center of the pond and she began wringing her hands together. “I do not think he can last much longer.” Before she fully understood what she was doing, Louisa began to strip her gloves off, ready to throw herself into the water if necessary. She would not stand by and watch as Prince dipped below the murky waters, despite whatever reassurances Robert threw her way.
“What are you doing?” Robert’s eyes widened as he watched her tear the second glove off.
“I am going in after him.” She gave the gloves to him, then began pulling up her skirts.
Robert grabbed her arm before she took more than one step. “You cannot go in there.”
“I cannot let him drown.” She was pulling against his arm, despite knowing she was no match for his strength.
He sighed, still holding her captive. “Surely he will not drown.”
Louisa glanced at the water where Prince seemed to be sinking lower. His mouth was beginning to take in water. “I cannot risk it.”
“Let us just wait another moment—”
“We do not have another moment!” she finally snapped. Tears burned her eyes, and she tugged against Robert’s hand, gaining her freedom. Louisa assumed he must have decided to let her go, but when she had gone but three steps into the water, she heard a muttered curse behind her. Splashing quickly followed as Robert trudged past her and deeper into the water. He shook his head with every step, slowly lowering into the pond’s murky water. It wasn’t very large, but she still held her breath as she watched Prince struggle to swim. He must have finally realized he was sinking, for he was now headed toward Robert, his little body bouncing as his legs worked to get him to shore.
The water was up to Robert’s chest by the time he was close enough to reach out and lift Prince into his arms. And then the worst possible thing happened. As Robert took heavy steps toward the edge of the pond, Louisa’s heart twisted itself in knots. For what could possibly be more endearing than a burly, serious man, dripping wet and cradling her small dog in his arms after rescuing him from death’s door?
