Page 7 of Lady Elizabeth’s Winter Stranger

When they crossed an open area that in summer would be smooth green lawn, a large dog, some kind of retriever, lolloped towards them with a bark of delight.

As the huge black beast hurtled at them, Elizabeth braced for it to jump up and knock her over.

Instead, it skidded to a stop at Tom’s feet to ogle him with patent adoration.

Elizabeth hid a wince. She feared that she might look at Tom in exactly the same way.

Tom released her and went down on his haunches to rub the dog’s floppy ears. The attention made the shaggy creature whimper with delight. “You’re a handsome fellow, aren’t you?”

“Do you know this dog?” she asked.

Tom cast her a glittering glance. “Never met him before in my life.”

“He clearly likes you.” Who could blame him? Elizabeth liked Tom, too. More than anyone she’d met in London. More than anyone she could ever remember meeting anywhere.

“I suspect he just wants some attention.” Tom continued to fondle the dog, as he surveyed the park. “I wonder where his master is.”

The dog wasn’t a stray. He wore a fine leather collar with silver chasing and trailed a lead, hinting that he’d got away from the person walking him.

When Elizabeth scoured their surroundings, she spied a liveried footman rushing toward them.

“My bet is his master is warm at home and a servant is responsible for the dog.”

“Bruno! Bruno, you rotten sod, come here!” As the footman, little more than a gangling boy, careered up to them, Elizabeth pulled her hood forward to shadow her face. “Come here, I say.”

When Tom rubbed his face and patted his flanks, Bruno’s eyes closed in bliss. He paid no attention to his guardian’s arrival, until Tom picked up the lead and stood. Tom passed the lead across to the boy. “Just Christmas high spirits, I think.”

“No, he’s always causing trouble,” the boy said, taking the leash before he performed a belated bow. “My lord, my lady.”

Bruno observed Tom with a disappointed expression and settled on his rump, clearly in no rush to resume his walk.

Elizabeth smothered a giggle. It seemed she wasn’t the only one susceptible to Tom’s fatal charm.

So far, he’d proven irresistible to children and dogs.

What better recommendation could she have for his character?

“He’s a champ,” Tom said with that easy smile that always gave her far too much pleasure. “When he grows up, he’ll make a capital companion.”

Now that Elizabeth looked closer, she saw that Bruno, like his guardian, wasn’t fully mature yet.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” the lad muttered, tugging at the lead. “Come on, Bruno. There’s a nice warm kennel waiting for you. Stop annoying this lady and gentleman.”

“He’s not annoying us, but I imagine you want to get back home yourself.”

“Aye, I do. It’s perishing out here.”

“Invigorating,” Tom said.

The footman regarded Tom as if he was mad. He clutched the leash tighter, as Bruno strained to get closer to Tom. “If you say so, sir.” He returned his attention to the dog. “Bruno, stop pulling.”

“Sit,” Tom said in the voice that had evinced instant obedience from the rambunctious Cyril. In comparison, Bruno presented no challenge at all. He sat and directed a mournful brown gaze at Tom.

“I’ll hold him here while you move on, if you don’t mind, sir?” the boy said, reaching forward to clutch Bruno’s collar as well. He obviously expected the dog to take off after his new idol, once Elizabeth and Tom walked away.

“Splendid idea.” Tom leaned forward to give Bruno a final pat. “Goodbye, old man. And be a bit kinder to your keeper. It’s Christmas after all.”

Whether Bruno understood the command or not, he remained with the footman as Tom and Elizabeth continued arm in arm toward the chestnut seller.

Although she couldn’t contain another laugh when she saw the animal’s unhidden regret that in life’s lottery, he was left with the boy and didn’t get to go with the man who knew exactly how to treat a dog.

“Are you ready to tell me your name yet?” Tom asked, as their boots crunched over the snow. Behind them, Bruno gave a long whimper of sorrow as if saying a wistful farewell.

Caution made her shake her head. “It’s better I don’t say.”

She waited for him to push, but he nodded. “Very well. But I want you to know that I can keep my mouth shut.”

She believed him, but something about performing introductions would force her back into the real world, where her once-tolerant father acted with such uncharacteristic tyranny. “I appreciate that, but I’d rather that we remain strangers.”

“You don’t feel like a stranger.”

She tried to resist liking that too much. “You don’t either, but I think that’s just Christmas stardust.”

“I like stardust.”

“So do I.” The smile they shared made her unruly heart break into a jubilant jig.

“But what shall I call you?”

Her lips twitched. “Flossie.”

She was fond of her maid, who was diligent and clever and uncomplaining. When she wasn’t suffering the mother of all head colds. And after all, it was thanks to Flossie and her illness that Elizabeth had met Tom in the first place.

His laugh rang with surprise. “You’re never called Flossie.”

“It suits as well as anything else.” The other pet names people used for her – Bess, Eliza, Beth, Lizzie – all led back too easily to Elizabeth.

“I beg to differ. A woman like you should go by Ariadne or Andromeda.”

It was her turn for a giggle. “All too much of a mouthful.”

“Then Flossie you shall be.”

“Thank you.” She frowned. “I know I said I don’t want to learn your full name—”

“Actually you said you didn’t want me to learn your name.”

She ignored that. “But are you married?”

He stopped and regarded her with displeasure. “I kissed you.”

As if she could forget. “Yes.”

“A man of honor doesn’t run around kissing unfamiliar women if he’s got a wife at home.”

Elizabeth knew nothing about Tom. Not really.

Except that he’d put himself at her disposal to save her from getting into trouble and he was willing to risk injury to rescue a less than winsome child.

And he was funny and kind and clearly taken with her.

Apart from his claims about himself, she was in no position to conclude that he was a man of honor.

“No wife at home?”

“Or gadding about either. I’m as free as a bird.”

How she wished that she could describe herself in those terms. This morning when she’d left the Wetherbys’ charming country house, she’d had no idea of the restrictions about to close in around her life.

“I’m glad,” she said, then felt that cursed blush rise again.

Tom stopped and arched an eyebrow at her. “Are you indeed?”

“I’d hate to think you were playing a wife false.”

“That’s very admirable.” He paused. “I’d hoped you were glad because it meant I could kiss you with a clear conscience.”

She should put him in his place, but the truth was that she also thought about kisses. It would be the height of hypocrisy to berate him for letting his mind follow the same path. Lady Elizabeth Tierney might be a bit of a flirt, but she was never coy. “First, you promised to feed me.”

When he started walking again, his expression indicated satisfaction. Elizabeth suffered a nervous wobble, but that uncertainty came with an undeniable charge of anticipation as well.