Page 13 of Secrets of Capell Manor
They both scanned the lands to each side of them. After only a moment, Marta screamed, along with the sound of a loud crash coming from the kitchen. Sir Devlin and Ridley sprinted to the door and leaped inside.
“What is it, woman?” Devlin asked quickly.
A large goose stuffed for the evening meal lay on the floor, and potatoes, parsnips, and carrots were strewn across the kitchen.
Marta’s hands shook, but he quickly realized she was more angry than frightened.
“Who let that devil dog of yours out of the stable?!” she yelled. “Look at our dinner!” She pointed at the floor.
Marta then grabbed a large iron pan from a hook hanging from the ceiling and shook it in the air. Devlin was impressed, and a bit frightened himself. That pan must have weighed as much as a small child, but she swung it easily.
“Where did he go?” she bellowed fiercely, and she started in the direction of where the dog ran. “I’ll teach him, I will!”
Devlin ran after Marta, her bum leg not troubling her a bit now, he observed. Ridley was not far behind. But when they reached the great hall, the scene that met them brought them all to a standstill.
Grim, the fierce, warrior dog who fought alongside his master, the dog that shredded the arms and legs of many men, and struck fear in all who saw him with Sir Devlin, was approaching Rosalind and the children.
Devlin’s heart jumped in his throat. Grim had never met a child. He never allowed anyone to touch him except for Devlin and sometimes Alden. The dog trusted no one.
Lady Rosalind sat in her chair with her mending but had heard the commotion in the kitchen. She looked toward Devlin and Marta, and then her gaze traveled to the side of the room where she saw the large black dog walking, or perhaps stalking, in her direction.
“Don’t move, Rosalind. Children, for God’s sake, just sit still. I will get the dog.”
Alden appeared next to Devlin and gasped.
“Alden, ready your sword,” Devlin said with a catch in his voice.
Rosalind looked at them all like each of them had grown an extra head. “Why do you all look so frightened?” she asked innocently.
By this time, Grim had sauntered over to Rosalind’s chair. The dog didn’t appear to be bristling or showing signs of aggression, but still, Devlin stood frozen. He didn’t want to make any sudden movements. Grim’s massive head almost held level with Rosalind’s face. She placed her mending in her lap and focused her attention on the massive beast now standing next to her chair.
“Aren’t you magnificent?”
Grim’s ears flicked forward, and his yellow eyes fixed on Rosalind.
Rosalind’s hand reached out.
Chapter Four
“Stop, don’t! He’ll…” Devlin called to her.
But it was too late. The gentle lady had already begun to give Grim a thorough ear scratch while simultaneously cooing and praising him for his handsomeness and loyalty to his master. Devlin could not believe his eyes. The beast of a dog sat at Lady Rosalind’s feet and leaned his massive head into her hand. After a moment, Grim lay down, and Rosalind continued the scratching, except this time on his exposed belly.
Alden moved closer to Devlin, and he dropped his bow and sheathed his sword. “Your warrior dog…he’s ruined now,” Alden stated with some degree of annoyance. “That perfectly honed weapon of death has turned soft in only a moment with the touch of a woman.”
Devlin was speechless. Did Grim enjoy this affection? Could he be trusted to be gentle with the lady, or would he snap without warning or provocation? Then Luella and Kaylyn approached the dog.
Grim had never been in the company of children. Devlin sprinted toward the girls.
But he was too late. Luella and Kaylyn had dropped to their knees, and now Grim had four smaller hands rubbing his belly, and all three of the females in the room were telling him what a good boy he was and how he was strong and brave.
What witchcraft is this?
No one but he and Alden were able to touch Grim. And when they did, it was never with affection.
“What…are…” Devlin sputtered. “What are you doing to my dog? He’s dangerous…please be careful…stop!” Devlin yelled the last word of his plea.
“Sir Devlin, what are you going on about? Your hound obviously enjoys the attention from the girls and me to yourheavy-handed care. We are just fine,” Rosalind said. “Now, if you have anything to discuss, I suggest we sit for our midday meal, and we can engage in conversation there if you so please.”
