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“I Helped a Duke Find His Lost Dog,” She Told Her Mother — Then the Garden Gate Opened

“I Helped a Duke Find His Lost Dog,” She Told Her Mother — Then the Garden Gate Opened

Chapter 13

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"I believe I should like that very much," Eleanor said, glancing up at him. "The view from the ridge is said to be quite spectacular this time of year.""Then it is settled," Alderwick replied, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine pleasure. "I shall bring the carriage around on Tuesday." He reached out, lightly touching the inside of her wrist, where her glove met her sleeve.It was a fleeting, perfectly proper gesture, yet it carried the weight of everything they had finally learned to say to one another: he could ask for her company, and she knew with absolute certainty that she had been chosen.They returned to the Vale property just as the afternoon sun began to dip below the treeline, casting a warm golden light across the stone wall. As they approached the heavy wooden gate that opened into the garden, a familiar, frantic scratching sounded from the other side.Eleanor smiled, stepping forward to lift the iron latch. As the gate swung inward, Bracken immediately pushed his way through the opening, his tail wagging with frantic enthusiasm. The spaniel trotted past Eleanor and immediately sat at the Duke's boots, looking up as if he had just accomplished a great feat of navigation.Alderwick looked down at the dog, then up at Eleanor, a slow, deeply affectionate smile spreading across his face."I suppose he grew tired of waiting in the carriage," the Duke observed, his voice rich with dry amusement. He met Eleanor's eyes, the memory of their first encounters hanging lightly in the air between them. "Though I must point out, Eleanor, I cannot possibly claim to have followed him here today. I was already by your side before he arrived."Eleanor laughed, the sound bright and clear in the quiet garden. She looked at the open gate, remembering the tall, solemn man who had once stood on the other side, using a silken ribbon as an excuse to cross the threshold. The gate was no longer a boundary to be navigated with polite fictions; she had opened it herself, welcoming a man whose intentions she knew and cherished."Then I suppose we shall have to invite him in," Eleanor replied, her eyes shining as she looked at the man she had chosen. "After all, he did introduce us."Alderwick offered his arm, and she took it. Together they walked down the garden path, the dog trotting happily just ahead of them.As Eleanor and the Duke of Alderwick walked into the golden afternoon, their quiet companionship proved that the truest romance requires no pretexts, only the courage to be honest.
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“I Helped a Duke Find His Lost Dog,” She Told Her Mother — Then the Garden Gate Opened

13 Part