Page 3 of A Slumber for a Duke

A second clump of snow fell from a tree. This time landing on Andrew’s head. As he shook it off, he shook something loose in his mind, for when he opened his eyes, he knew he wasn’t the same poetry-averse man he had been three seconds prior.

No, he was not the same man at all. There before him, danced the most glorious creature he had ever seen. Andrew watched from behind the trees as the elegant blonde twirled again in the soft snow, letting her hair fall free. The chilly air produced the softest rose-colored cheeks, and for some unknown reason, he wanted to warm them in his hands.

The woman stopped as if she could feel someone watching her. A bark broke into the silence and she whirled around to the sound.

Andrew hissed at Dodger to be quiet, but it was too late. Not only had the mutt verbally announced his presence, he was physically doing so by bounding out into the clearing closer to the woman.

The copper brown traitor plopped down on his behind with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, awaiting her reply.

“Well, aren’t you just the cutest thing?” Rose walked over to the dopey-eyed pup. Upon smoothing the top of his head, and scratching behind his ears, the dog wagged his tail.

“How did you get out here?”

“Woof!”

Andrew could see the woman searching the trees. He had better reveal himself before she thought that he was intentionally spying on her. Which he wasn’t.

“Where’s your master, little boy?”

“Woof.” Dodger turned his head back toward Andrew.

Maybe he should have stayed behind the tree and let Dodger get all the attention. It would have all gotten sorted out in the end. But that bark was as much a cue as any to step out and act as if he had been going for a casual walk. Which he had been. So why did he feel so nervous all of a sudden?

Andrew moved from behind the trees, calling, “Dodger?”

The woman startled upon seeing him. “Did–Did you just come out from behind those trees?” She wrapped her arms around her body. “Were you watching me?”

Bloody hell. “It looks that way, doesn’t it?” Andrew tried for a chuckle. It sounded more like a cough.

“Was it that way or wasn’t it?”

“It was?” One cheek pulled up to squish his right eye.

Silently, the woman took one step closer to him, running her eyes from his down to his feet, and then over to his dog.

God, she had clear, blue eyes. Like a deep, still lake before any animals disturbed the reflection. And her hair, at least the tresses that broke free from the low bun, was shimmering in the sun. A silky sable. Her large jacket covered far too much of her, but he had witnessed the abundant grace with which she moved. Carefree. Free.

Everything he wasn’t.

“Is this really your dog?”

An interesting question to ask the man from behind the trees. “Yes.”

“Prove it.”

Andrew couldn’t help himself, he laughed. “Alright, I will.” Moving about fifteen paces away, Andrew called out, “Here, Dodger.”

Dodger sat with his butt frozen in place, tongue out, head wagging between the woman and Andrew.

“Dodger, here boy.”

Nothing.

Andrew whistled and patted his thigh.

“Are you sure his name is Dodger?”

“I should know. He’s my dog, isn’t he?”

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