Page 16 of A Wallflower Never Forgets
Shep barked.
“I think that’s a ‘yes,’” Melanie said, smiling at him.
“Whew,” Jonathan said when they were a short distance away. “I’m glad I passed muster as far as Shep is concerned.”
“Shep is a stalwart protector.” Melanie giggled.
“And I cannot blame him. I feel as protective of you as Shep is.”
“You do? But you’re not my…” Melanie blew out a breath. “I’m not sure what you are. My friend? My rescuer?”
Jonathan couldn’t help staring at her, wanting to say exactly what he felt. He kept turning words over in his mind…kind, clever, spirited, independent…how he couldn’t stop thinking about her…how he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her… She was his best friend’s little sister, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time.
“You’re staring at me—do I have something on my face?” she asked, touching her cheek, which was blushing. She was even prettier when she blushed.
He chuckled. “No, I’m just thinking about how lovely you are.” Why had it been so hard to tell her how lovely she was? Smiling up at him with her bow-shaped pink lips, wearing a rose-pink day dress, matching pelisse, bonnet, and kid gloves. Her eyes looked the color of rich brandy under the glow of the warm afternoon sun.
What he wanted to do was find a secluded area and kiss her senseless. But if he did, would he be ready to declare his feelings? Given his conversation with Rochester a few days ago at Whites, he would have to wait. He wouldn’t toy with her affections, and he didn’t want to confuse Melanie or hurt her in any way. There was still a lot he had to resolve—the Talbot case, for one. He hadn’t planned on Talbot already having an instigator in England. And he needed definitive proof about who was behind the attempt on Melanie’s life. Was it Diana? If so, why?
Shep tugged at his leash, and Melanie glanced down at her dog. “I think he wants to visit the boxwood over there. I imagine he’s wanting to get to know the grounds.”
Accommodating both, Jonathan walked them to the boxwoods, where Shep finally found a spot he liked after turning in a complete circle twice.
A few minutes later, Shep tugged again at his leash. This time, Melanie unhooked him, letting him run. “Stay nearby, Shep.” He trotted ahead but never left their sight. Then, a couple of minutes later, he ran back and tugged on the hem of Melanie’s dress.
“I think he wants us to follow,” Jonathan said, curious about what could be so important that the dog needed them to see it. Frankly, the only time he’d seen a dog act this way was with the hunting dog his father had given him as a child.
“There’s an apple orchard and a pond up ahead. Perhaps he’s trying to show us the geese. They seem to live for the apples that fall from the trees. Although, as I recall, they aren’t the friendliest of creatures,” Melanie said.
As they crested the small hill, they found Shep nudging a baby deer that had fallen into the pond. The poor creature couldn’t swim, and the doe, clearly frustrated, stood a safe distance away. Fortunately, the geese were on the other side of the pond.
“Oh, dear,” Melanie said. “The poor thing needs our help.” She let go of Jonathan’s arm and began to unbutton her pelisse.
“Melanie,” Jonathan said firmly. “What do you think you’re about?”
“I’m going to wade in to rescue the fawn.”
“No, you’re not.” Jonathan took hold of her shoulders. “You will stay here where it’s safe. I’ll rescue the deer.”
“But I can help you.”
“I recall your history with ponds,” he teased, glancing over his shoulder as he approached the flailing animal. “And one never knows how a wild animal will react, especially considering its mother is standing nearby and might perceive us as hurting her baby instead of helping it. “Stand here where it’s safe, and don’t budge.”
“Very well, but please be careful. I’m not sure I could pull you out of the pond without finding myself in the water with you.”
“That might be fun,” he said, winking at her. “Let me see if I can do this without toppling in.” Leaning forward, he couldn’t quite reach the fawn, whose anxious cries and flailing had caused it to slip farther away from shore. “If I remember correctly, the depth of the pond drops off.” I need something to loop around the fawn. Do you mind if I borrow your scarf?”
“Not at all,” she said, already removing it and handing it to him. “But you are right. The pond drops off quickly. Please be careful.”
“Thank you for worrying about me,” he said with a grin as he knotted a loop at one end of the scarf. He noted the sweet blush tinting Melanie’s cheeks and once again wished he could take her in his arms and kiss her. Focus man! Jonathan tossed out the looped end of the scarf, and it caught perfectly around the fawn’s neck. Gently, he tugged it closer to shore. When it was close enough, he pulled it to him, picking it out of the shallow end. As soon as he laid the fawn on the ground, the mother deer approached, sniffing and finally nuzzling her baby about the ears and neck. The doe nudged her offspring, and with Shep’s gentle prodding with his nose, the fawn finally stood on its shaky legs.
“I believe I’ll have to fight to reclaim my hero status with you,” Jonathan said, laughing. “That dog is amazing. Not scared in the least.”
“Just like his father. Lord Worsley and Maggie saved him when he was a puppy, as I recall, the puppy eventually saved her.”
“Now that you mention it, I do remember,” Jonathan said. “He’s certainly done his namesake proud.” He squatted and patted Shep on the head. “Good boy, Shep.”
The white dog gave a small whoof and wagged his tail.
