Page 39 of The Trouble With Her Duke
Lydia and the duke watched while Michael distracted the dog and Mandy hid the handkerchief. A few minutes later, Mandy indicated they were ready.
“Now, find the handkerchief, Rosie,” Michael demanded.
The dog barked understanding and began to sniff the ground. In a few minutes, she came out of a nearby brush holding the prize.
“That’s impressive!” the duke said, clapping his hand.
After a few more examples, the dog came up and lay at Michael’s feet, apparently tired.
“I think it’s time to go in and warm up,” Lydia said, recognizing the red blush on Mandy’s and Michael’s cheeks had to do with the chill in the air. “Rosie’s done a masterful job today. I’ll bet the cook could find something for her in the kitchen as a reward.”
“I agree,” Mandy said. “I’m getting cold.”
“That was fun, children. I appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the three of you. It’s time for me to get back to work,” the duke said.
“You are most welcome anytime, Your Grace,” Lydia said, glad to relax.
When they returned to the nursery, Lydia noticed the children whispering furiously back and forth but couldn’t make out what they were saying. “Is there something you want to share?” she asked, surprising them.
“We have something for you,” Mandy said, handing her a box.
Lydia heard a croak. Carefully lifting the lid, she peeked inside. “Oh my! A bullfrog. And unless I miss my guess, he’s angry,” she said, picking the frog up and looking at him. “He is a cute thing, but perhaps he would be happier at the pond. What do you think?”
“You like bullfrogs?” Mandy asked.
“I wouldn’t say like, but I have a healthy respect for them. They eat insect pests,” she said.
“They do?” Mandy and Michael said together.
“Yes, and they are most active at night. Do you think we should return him?”
The children hung their heads. “Father will be cross if he finds we’ve taken him from the pond.”
“I will return him.”
“You will?” Michael asked.
“I will—if you promise to leave the frogs to their own business.”
With quick nods from the children, she agreed.
“I wonder,” Lydia began, “if you know why they make the loud noise they do?”
“That’s what frogs do, just like we get loud sometimes,” Mandy offered.
“That’s a wonderful answer. But it’s not the only reason. They have families and they croak to warn off predators. They also tell off other bullfrogs to stay away because there’s only room for one bullfrog in the family.”
“Zooks!” Michael and Mandy said simultaneously.
Michael poked his elbow in Mandy’s ribs. “I told you she wasn’t like the others!”
Lydia pretended she hadn’t seen the exchange. “Let’s keep him in the box for now and finish our lessons. I’ll return him a little later.”
It wasn’t long before Lydia noticed the children’s attention was waning. First days can be tough and there had been plenty of excitement. “That’s enough for today. We’ll pick up again tomorrow,” Lydia said.
“I suppose you’re better than the others,” Mandy grudgingly said.
“Governesses?” Lydia asked.
