Page 60 of Impeccable
Excitement spreading in his chest, Gregory called the dog’s name again and listened intently. Another whimper. The sound came from the left, but not from the garden he was standing outside. It was too distant. Unless Ash was being very quiet.
Moving to the next garden, Gregory tried the gate, but it was locked. The wall was also a good six feet. He set the lantern atop the wall and grabbed the top of the stone to haul himself up.
Pulling his legs over so he could sit on the stone, he held up the lantern. “Ash! Where are you, boy?”
The barking started just before Gregory saw the streak of white dart toward him. This was followed by a larger figure—also on four legs—with a darker coat. Ash stood on his hind legs and pawed at the wall beneath Gregory’s feet, barking wildly.
“Shhh.” Gregory dropped down into the garden and swept Ash into his arms. “There you are, boy. You’re safe.”
With his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth and his dark eyes wide with excitement, Ash didn’t appear distressed. Indeed, Gregory would have said he looked quite pleased with himself.
Something moved against Gregory’s legs, prompting him to look down. The dark brown dog was nuzzling his calf.
“I see you’ve made a friend, Ash. Who’s this, then?” Gregory bent down to pet the dog’s head.
“Gregory, did you find him?” Evie called over the wall.
“Yes. He’s made a friend in here. Though I can’t imagine how he got in.” Gregory picked up the lantern and held it high, looking along the wall. He moved forward until he saw the small hole in the corner. “I see it now.”
Doubling back, Gregory went to unlock the gate. Before opening it, he turned to the other dog. “We have to go now, but we’ll be sure to speak with your people tomorrow. Sleep well.”
He faced the gate. “Evie, I’m coming out, but we have to move quickly so I can shut the gate before the other dog gets out.”
“Other dog? Oh, Ash’s new friend.”
Gregory opened the gate just enough to squeeze through the opening, then closed it again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t lock it, but he’d explain its state when he called on the residents tomorrow. They really needed to fix the hole in their wall, unless they wanted visitors such as Ash.
“Ash!” Evie reached for the pup but stopped short, her gaze rising to meet Gregory’s. “I’m a horrid pet mother.” Her distress was evident and nearly caused Gregory to drop Ash and take her in his arms. But he did not. He would soothe her when Ash was safely in her garden.
Grabbing the lantern from the wall, Gregory handed it to Evie to carry. “You are not horrid. At anything.” He clutched Ash with one arm so he could put his other around Evie’s waist. “Come, let’s get back to your house. I think Ash has had enough adventure for one night.”
As soon as they entered the garden, Gregory closed the gate firmly. The two young women who’d been helping with the search voiced their relief.
“Take Mrs. Renshaw and Ash inside,” Gregory said, giving the dog to Evie and taking the lantern.
“Can I be trusted with him?” Evie whispered. She took Ash into her arms and snuggled him close, dropping kisses on his head and murmuring apologies.
“Of course you can,” Gregory said. “I’m going to find Foster and let him know the search is over.”
Evie looked at him, her eyes fervent with gratitude. “Thank you.”
Gregory waited until they were inside with the door closed before he left the garden once more. Striding quickly, he found Foster and informed him that all was well.
“It was my fault, my lord,” he said brusquely. “I left the gate ajar when I came back from my afternoon off.”
“I daresay you won’t do that again.” Gregory clapped the younger man on the shoulder and kept his tone light. “Don’t abuse yourself. These things happen, and there was no real harm done. The worst of it may be a litter of puppies at the neighbor’s.”
The butler blinked at him. “Where did you find him?”
“A few gardens over from Mrs. Renshaw’s. There was another dog, female, I believe, but it was difficult to tell. I’ll call on them tomorrow to explain the situation—they’ve a hole in their garden wall they need to repair to avoid future visitors. Next time, it may not be a friendly creature like Ash.”
“You’llcall on them?” Foster asked as they made their way back to Evie’s.
Belatedly, Gregory realized how that would look. Why wouldhebe concerned with a dog when he lived nowhere nearby? “Mrs. Renshaw will do it.”
They walked in silence until they were nearly to the garden gate. Foster stopped, prompting Gregory to do so as well.
“Lord Gregory, I feel I should tell you that we all care for Mrs. Renshaw very much. She is more like family to us than an employer.”
