Page 42 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“Hurt? No,” Elizabeth said, exasperated. “She has made friends with a stray dog, and she wishes to adopt it and bring it back home.”

“Made friends?” Beatrice frowned.

“Mmm-hmm. She likes to make friends with animals and bring them home, and Edwin was furious the last time she brought a stray dog home and let it loose inside the manor. I know she means well, but you must speak to her.”

“What am I to do if you have spoken to her already?” Beatrice asked.

“She trusts you,” Elizabeth argued. “We both do. You are the voice of reason, and I know if you talk to her about it, she might leave the dog where it is and rejoin the party.”

Beatrice couldn’t help but smile, even though the drama might cause problems. She knew Modesty fairly well from their interactions, and it was exactly in line with her character.

They stepped into a small grove of trees, where Modesty sat in the middle with a stray dog by her side. It was dirty and mangy but looked cute.

Modesty’s face brightened when she saw Beatrice approach. “Look who I found,” she cooed.

“I heard you had found a dog,” Beatrice said.

Modesty petted the dog, and she looked serene, as if her entire goal in life was to sit beside a dog.

“You are missing out on a fantastic event,” Beatrice continued. “Won’t you come back and join us?”

“I’d rather not,” Modesty admitted. “The dog is far better company than anyone at the party.”

Beatrice smiled. “That might be true, but we don’t always do things for ourselves. You are not here for yourself but for His Grace and Lady Elizabeth. They need you.”

Modesty looked up at Beatrice with a sad smile. “I can’t bring him home, can I?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Beatrice replied.

Modesty nodded. “I think he is better suited to the wilderness anyway. I would like another few minutes with him before I return.”

“That sounds wise,” Beatrice relented.

Modesty looked happy and ashamed at the same time. She continued to pet the dog, looking from Beatrice to Elizabeth before looking down at the dog.

Elizabeth looked at Beatrice and mouthed, “Thank you.”

Beatrice nodded.

“I can stay with Mother for a moment, and then we will return to the party,” Elizabeth offered. “Why don’t you return? Your work here is done.”

Beatrice smiled. “I hope to see you there soon.”

She took one last look at Modesty, wanting to imprint the memory in her mind—it was a sad and beautiful scene. Then, she left mother and daughter and returned to the garden party. She was almost there when a figure quickly moved to her left, aiming to block her path. Beatrice did not feel in danger, but she knew she did not want to speak to the person.

The figure moved purposefully and stepped in front of Beatrice before she could reach the crowds.

“I see there are a few stray dogs out here today,” Agnes snarled.

ChapterSixteen

Reasons To Leave

“Miss Jennings, I didn’t know you were here,” Beatrice said.

“I saw you going off toward the edge of the estate, and I thought you might be running from your husband,” Agnes said with a smirk.

Beatrice was riled up and ready for a fight with Agnes, but it was not the time or place. “No, I was only checking on my mother-in-law.”

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