Page 33 of The Icy Duke Claims a Bride

“They’re all youngsters, well under five, but old enough to leave home and make their way in the world. Now, some of my old dogs were with me for a long, long time. Clio and Olympia were both past twenty when they died.” He gestured to the painting of two labradors on the wall, marked with the names of the dogs in question. “Cassio was pretty old, too, when he departed this life—at least fifteen. Do you remember Cassio, Dora?”

“I do, indeed. I remember him worrying the sheep,” Mrs. McNamara answered. “I remember Mr. Jenkins the farmer having words with you about Cassio.”

“No, that was just a misunderstanding. Cassio was only high-spirited. Then, there was Iris before Cassio, and Ajax and Helios… You must remember Helios, Dora. He was the finest golden Labrador I’ve ever seen. Over there on the right, you can see his portrait, too. Wonderful dog!”

“He was a beautiful dog,” Mrs. McNamara concurred patiently. “But Her Grace has come to learn more about Castor, Pollux, and Lucretia, Father.”

“Of course, of course. Look at me rattling on about all of my old friends when we have business to do.” Sir Anthony sat up properly in his chair and looked expectantly at Catherine while he sipped on his tea.

“Are they all good on walks?” Catherine asked, looking at the dogs, who were now busily eating their food. “And can they live with cats? That’s important to me, as I said in my note.”

“Very good on walks, plenty of energy in all three of them,” the old man said fondly. “Far more than I have these days, I’ll admit. They’d be happier with a young person, getting more exercise than I can give them. We’ve always had a few cats here, although they tend to sleep in the stables. These dogs don’t blink an eye at cats.”

“How about training? Are they all obedient?” Catherine added. “Our gamekeeper has offered to train any dog I take, but it would be an advantage if not too much is required.”

“They’re wonderful dogs, every one of them!” Sir Anthony declared affectionately. “Lucretia has always been so good with the boys ever since they were all pups. Castor and Pollux are bigger and stronger, but it’s Lucretia who has the brains and tells them what’s what. You give Lucretia an instruction, and she’ll show them what to do.”

“So, it sounds as though Lucretia might be the best choice for you, Your Grace,” Mrs. McNamara suggested, trying to clarify her father’s rambling answer. “If you do just want one dog.”

Catherine hesitated, a new idea forming in her head. “They’ve always been together, you say?”

“Since they were pups, yes.” Sir Anthony nodded. “Castor and Pollux were from the same litter, and Lucretia was only a few weeks old when they arrived. Penelope, the sheepdog, looked after them as if they were her offspring. Very canny dog, old Penelope. Yes, they learned from the best, these three.”

The two women shared another smile at these reminiscences.

“In that case, I wonder if I might take all three,” Catherine asked. “It seems a shame to break up their little family, doesn’t it?”

Sir Anthony’s face glowed at this idea. “How wonderful! I had hoped that someone would take all of them, but it’s a lot to ask with three dogs. I’d certainly sleep easier knowing that they are still together.”

“Are you sure about this, Your Grace?” Mrs. McNamara queried with a hesitant smile. “I’m not sure what Mr. McNamara would say if I went out for one dog and came back with three.”

“Redbridge Hall is a big house, and there is plenty of space outside for them to run around. My husband is happy for me to do as I wish on the estate, as long as I don’t disturb him.”

“Well, as long as you’re sure.” Mrs. McNamara smiled, although her eyes still held some reservation about the wisdom of this decision. “It would be a comfort to my father, and it would save us from looking for other homes for them. We could leave for Scotland sooner, in that case.”

“I believe I could take them as soon as you wish. Think it over and send me a message when you’re ready for me to pick them up.”

“Well, this calls for a celebration!” Sir Anthony announced delightedly, clapping his hands and drawing the attention of Castor and Pollux, who followed him to the sideboard, where the decanters of brandy, sherry, and whiskey stood. “You must both join me for a drink! No, none for you, Castor. It does not agree with dogs. If I’ve explained this once, I’ve explained it a thousand times…”

Meanwhile, as though she’d understood the transaction perfectly, the red Irish Setter trotted over to Catherine and laid her head in her new mistress’s lap.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“There’s a parcel for you on the sideboard, Your Grace. It arrived by express messenger while you were out.”

“Thank you, Perkins. I’ll take it to my study now. Please, let the staff know that I’m not to be disturbed before dinner.”

Hugh collected the substantial packet of papers addressed to him in his grandmother’s hand and wandered from the hallway towards his study without bothering to take off his outdoor coat.

The envelope was marked private and confidential, and there was a substantial seal on the packet. And it was posted only three days after the Dowager Duchess’s visit to Redbridge Hall. She was evidently taking the matter of the poisoning incident very seriously.

Having broken the seal, Hugh could see that as well as a covering letter summarizing the result of his grandmother’srecent investigation, the packet contained a range of papers and newspaper articles about the activities and fates of various of Edwin’s business rivals over the years.

Until recently, this had been a humorous topic for the family, if not darkly humorous. Hugh was aware of several suicides and bankruptcies among those who had crossed his uncle, along with at least two scandals involving the wives and daughters of gentlemen whose businesses had been destroyed.

He remembered one particular exchange at a small family dinner where he and his grandmother had joined Edwin and Lady Georgina to mark one of Edwin’s major stock-market windfalls.

With her own hands, Lady Georgina had proudly poured out champagne to toast her husband’s success. Hugh remembered Edwin watching his wife with a very self-satisfied smile on his rather bland face. Only a few minutes earlier, they had all learned from the evening papers that a rival investor and former business partner had thrown himself off a bridge and died.

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