Page 8 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
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Screams and thesounds of a brutal dog fight spurred Albert to hurry, and he pulled up hard on his reins when he saw the carnage in the clearing in front of the stable. Blood ran in muddy rivulets from several dead animals surrounding a large bull mastiff. His gelding fought against his bit and tried to stop rather than get closer to the killing in front of them. Suddenly, his left hoof turned over, causing both horse and rider to spill onto the ground.
The duke landed upon his face, and when he pushed his body up, he found himself face to face with a growling bull mastiff, covered in blood and dust.
“Nero, no!” the lithe blonde woman cried, running toward her dog and grabbing him by the collar.
Albert didn’t move a muscle, captivated by the beautiful woman and her beast standing in front of him. While the dog threatened him, the girl’s incredible beauty took his focus, even with her dress hidden beneath a layer of dust and black soot covering her face.
Spotting the outdated weapon lying behind the dog’s massive haunches, he put together some of what must have taken place. He’d addbraveto any description of her. Surely, this valiant beauty had saved herself and her dog with a firearm she most likely had never touched before.
Unsure her grip would hold the dog, he took a chance and stood slowly, focused on the woman’s large brown eyes. Albert heard his carriage amble up the drive behind him and stop, while he dusted off his jacket and britches.
“Is that your pet?” he asked, hoping to break the ice. Sensing her hesitation, he gave a quick bow. “The Duke of Kendall, at your service.”
She wiped her face with the back of her hand before dropping into a hurried curtsy while still trying to maintain her hold on the dog. “Yes, Your Grace. I am Miss Brianna Thomas. I beg you do not think badly of Nero. This pack of wild dogs that descended upon us sorely tested his sweet nature.”
“Yes, I see,” he said, peering more closely at the carnage of whimpering and dead dogs lying around him. “Is there some way we can put your dog at ease?” he asked, warily eyeing the animal in her control.
She bent down and spoke to the dog. “Down, Nero.” Her voice was soft but firm.
“Arrrumph,” Nero whined in return, clearly frustrated by this intruder.
“Are you a visitor here?” Albert could recall no Thomas family working here or living around the manor, and his mother had mentioned nothing about the property before he left. And it was most unusual for a visitor to bring a dog the size of the bull mastiff that stood between them.
“No, Your Grace. This is my home.”
At that, he started. Didn’t she recognize the Kendall name? Perhaps he should mention that the manor house was his family’s, but he remained quiet. His father had taught him to let others talk, if they were willing, first.
“I was caring for the animals in the stable when loud dog barking frightened the animals,” she explained. “I barely had a moment to find something to help before they were upon us and attacking my dog. It was dreadful. I used the only thing I could find to save Nero. Our stable hand or his father should return soon. But I will be happy to see to your horse. My dog may have some wounds to attend to, as well.”
“Miss Brianna!” A stable hand ran from the wooded area behind the stable. “Are you all right? I heard gunfire…” His words faded as he took in the disaster still lying around them. “Dear Lord! You used m’grandfather’s old gun!” He looked at her before picking it up in wonderment. “You fired this?”
She nodded.
“I didn’t realize it worked, and I’m shocked my father kept it loaded!” he said.
“Thank goodness it was, Roy!” Brianna exclaimed, clasping her hands to slow the trembling. She slowly looked around. “It possibly saved several lives, including Nero’s,” she said, regarding the slaughter about her. “Sadly, it also took lives. This is tragic.”
Roy leaned down and looked at Nero. “He’s got blood on him. I cannot tell if he’s been bitten. I will have to bathe him.”
Albert bit back a retort that guns kill.Is the girl a stable hand?It dumbfounded him to see a woman helping in the stable, and he tried to recall what the ledgers had said about the property. He didn’t know how he felt about a woman caring for his horse. It was most unusual. However, he knew little about caring for animals, always allowing his ostler and the other stable hands to handle those things. It was apparent the woman held a soft spot for animals, and he wanted to know more about her.
“May I be of help?” he asked.
“Your Grace, thank you. We could use a little extra help right now.”
She didn’t seem to mind she was speaking to a duke while sparing little deference. Maybe it was her lack of pretense. He found himself charmed—and wasn’t sure it was entirely her beauty that had captivated his interest.
He heard footsteps coming up from behind him and turned to see his footman approaching. “West, it appears we arrived at a difficult time. Can you help with the carriage and horses? The manor maintains two or three stable hands, and it appears they have their hands full.”
“Yes, Your Grace. The driver and I should be able to ’andle it,” West replied, his eyes focused on Nero and the woman. “But the dog is big. Do ye think I’ll be able to move past ’im?”
Albert turned to the stable hand and Brianna and quirked a brow. “Does the dog bite?” he asked, looking at Nero.
“Oh no, not unless you are attacking someone. I think you will be fine,” she said airily, petting the dog’s head and wiping his drool on her skirt. “It’s all right, Roy. I think the danger has passed for a little while,” she said to the stable hand. “Can you help me with this injured animal?” She pointed to a small black dog that was lying in front of them, barely able to move. “It looks young. Hopefully, we can help it. Sadly, the gun killed two dogs, but it was the only way to stop the attack on Nero and goodness knows how many other animals. One ran off and these two didn’t make it. But this puppy is injured; perhaps it can survive.”
“Be careful, miss. The dog may be rabid,” Roy warned her.
