Page 10 of The Gift of Patience
“Patience found what appeared to be a squatter camp when she was out walking earlier. Ashley went to investigate, but it was gone. We are searching the estate as we speak to make certain he is gone, but until then, I want no one to go anywhere alone. Servants included.”
Faith gasped. “You do not think this is the person responsible for the local problems, do you?”
“What local problems?” Joy asked.
Now Westwood shot Faith a glare.
“There has been some vandalism and theft in the village.”
“And the thief has been hiding out on our estate?” Faith asked.
“We do not know that for certain. Pray they have left the estate and the area after being discovered.”
But Patience couldn’t shake the feeling that if it were tied to something bigger, then she was in danger.
Armstrong opened the door, redirecting Patience’s terrifying thoughts. “I beg your pardon, my lord. Peter has returned with the puppy.”
Joy sprang up from her seat and ran to the door to take the dog. Freddy Tiger began to growl and hiss.
“That is an ungentlemanly behaviour,” Mr. Cunningham scolded.
The dog whimpered and began to pull towards Patience.
Joy laughed. “I think he prefers you, Sister.”
“I think I am the lesser of two evils,” Patience muttered. “Come here, little fellow.” She held out her hands, and the blessedly clean, dry, fluffy animal ran straight to her and gave her a lick. “He really needs a name,” she observed.
“Then you had best name him,” Joy said.
“But he is yours.”
“For now, Little Freddy appears to disagree.”
“He will become accustomed to the pup. It just takes time,” Mr. Cunningham protested.
“I am not certain. He is quite spoiled and protective of Joy,” Westwood argued.
“He cannot go without a name until the cat decides that he likes him,” Patience said.
“Poor little one.” Major Stuart soothed the puppy and stroked his ears. “He was trying to protect you earlier. Perhaps Alexander would suit. It means protector.”
“I like it, though he is not so fierce.” She cast a sceptical glance at the puppy, who was rolled over on his back for belly rubs.
“Give him time. He will be a force when he grows into his paws.”
She looked down at the paw he had taken into his hand, and it was quite large for the dog’s body.
“Alexander seems rather formal.”
“They called him Xander or Alex.”
“Xander. That is unusual. It suits. Does that meet with your approval, Joy?”
“Oh, yes. I like it very well.”
“Then Alexander the Great it is,” Mr. Cunningham said to chuckles around the room as the dog settled in between Patience and Major Stuart for a nap.
Ashley had discoveredlittle in speaking to the staff the rest of the evening. The groundskeepers had not noticed anything, but to be fair, their efforts had been to shore up other areas around the estate from flooding, and they had not been worriedabout the stone bridge since it affected little else when the water overflowed there.
