Page 25 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“It is!” his mother said excitedly.
Another whimper sounded as the twins approached, which fueled their enthusiasm.
“It’s a puppy!” screamed Mandy.
“Just what I always wanted!” cried Michael.
A small brown and white puppy with too-large feet, a furiously wagging tail, and large brown eyes that were darkly lined in black looked up at them. Wearing a bright red collar with a small bronze tag on it, she emerged from the basket and immediately began licking the twins’ faces and eliciting giggles.
“It’s ours?” Michael asked, suddenly looking up at his father.
“She is.” He emphasized the gender. “But she comes with responsibilities,” Damon replied.
“We can take her home? We don’t have to leave it here?” Mandy asked, almost squeaking the end of her question.
“Yes, darling. She is yours to take home—but she requires care . . . and love, and a name,” their grandmother replied. “Your father believes you might be ready for this responsibility.”
Michael puffed out his chest and turned to his sister. “We should name her first. What do you think that should be?”
“Let’s not call her anything too common,” Mandy said.
“I agree,” Michael said, leaning in for another lick on his face.
“We should name her before we take her outside,” Mandy said in a serious tone. She looked up at Damon. “Can we take her outside, Father?”
“Of course, but I think you’re right. A name would be a terrific first step. She was called Rosie, but that is not a name you must keep,” Damon said.
“Rosie sounds nice,” Michael said. He tried it out a few times. “I like the name. Do you, Mandy?”
“I love it!” Mandy said, standing up. “Come on, Rosie!”
The dog needed little encouragement. The two children stood and started for the door with the puppy in tow.
“Wait. Put your coats and gloves on,” their grandmother urged, as they hurried towards the front door.
“Perhaps we should go out with them and keep the dog safe,” chuckled Hargus. “It’s small yet and the snowdrifts are high.”
“You laugh, but I am sure you are right in your thinking,” agreed Damon, rising from his chair.
Damon followed the children outside and was astonished to see them bent down, oblivious to the snow, giving the dog kisses and hugs while Rosie’s tail wagged furiously.
Michael saw him first. “Father, we thought it might be wise to walk Rosie around the property and show her about. Would you like to come with us?”
“That’s a great idea, especially since the snow might confuse her. She uses her nose to familiarize herself with her surroundings, but it’s hard to do with such a thick layer of snow.”
Before they could walk Rosie, Damon heard a commotion behind him and turned to see his family dressed in warm coats, gloves, and muffs. “Elsa and Simon preferred the warmth of the fireplace, but we thought it might be great fun to come out in the snow with the children and Rosie!” Hargus said.
“I brought the leash.” Mandy held up the red leather tether. “We should take a quick walk with her first. It’s important to let her get familiar with the surroundings,” Mandy said, importantly. “But when we finish, we can all play with her.”
Gavin and Hargus laughed.
“I think there’s an adult or two who would enjoy playing outside,” Hargus said.
“Guilty,” Gavin said. “It’s one of those rare days when it’s not too cold, but there’s snow on the ground—a great outdoor day.”
“I got an idea,” Michael exclaimed. “Let’s build a snow fort!”
“I was hoping someone would want to! I asked a footman to bring us some shovels,” Eloise said.
