A Gentleman Never Tells
Page 28
“That means you will be an aunt.”
“And you an uncle.”
He grinned. “I think I will be all right with that. How about you?”
“Oh, I hope I can be as delightful an aunt as Auntie Bethie.”
Brent laughed. “There will only ever be one Mrs. Potter, dear wife, but I have no doubt you will find a way to be a special aunt to Rosa’s child.”
“I’m so glad we are going back for the Season. I want to see Rosa, Auntie, Papa, and of course you will get to see your brothers.”
“Yes, I think it will be a good idea for me to be there and keep an eye on them during their first Season in London. But before we talk about that, I have something else for you. Stay right there.” He went to the bedchamber door, opened it, and stepped out into the corridor. “Okay, let her come up the stairs.”
For a moment, Gabrielle thought her sister was downstairs and was on her way up, until she heard the bark of a dog. Someone must have let one of Brent’s hunting dogs in the house. But before she could say anything, a big mastiff puppy came loping into the bedroom and bounded up on the bed with her. The dog jumped on Gabrielle and starting licking her.
Gabrielle squealed with delight.
Brent laughed and joined them on the bed. “It’s a little too early for your birthday and a little late for Christmas, but she’s yours.”
“Oh, Brent, how did you know I wanted another dog? I’ve never said a word.”
“You didn’t have to.”
The dog jumped down and started exploring and sniffing the room.
“How did you find a mastiff that looks so much like Brutus?”
“It wasn’t easy, my love, but she looks like him because she is from Brutus’s bloodline.”
Gabrielle’s heart fluttered. Her chest tightened and her eyes teared. “You can’t know that, can you? How?”
“I asked Muggs to help me track down all the people who had puppies sired by Brutus through the years. We kept looking until we found a man who could trace this dog’s lineage back to Brutus.” Brent reached into his pocket and gave her a piece of paper. “She’s only four months old so you’ll have her for many years.”
Gabrielle threw her arms around Brent, laughing and crying at the same time. “How can I ever thank you? This is the greatest gift you could have given me.”
“I’ll do anything for you, my love, because you have made me the happiest man in the world.”
She kissed him with all the love she was feeling, until she felt a jump on the bed. The mastiff wanted to play.
“What is her name?” Gabrielle asked, scratching the dog between the ears.
“She’s your dog, so it’s up to you.”
She looked at Brent. “Would you mind if we named her Prissy?”
Brent laughed. “Not at all.”
Gabrielle fell into Brent’s arms and pushed him down on the bed and rolled on top of him. “Thank you, Brent. You have made me happy beyond my dreams.”
“That’s all I want to do. And remember that heaven is the place where all the dogs you’ve ever loved come to greet you.”
“I believe that. So now, why don’t I just show you how much I love you?” The dog bounced back onto the bed again and barked at her. She was ready to play.
Brent and Gabrielle laughed.
“Why don’t I take Prissy below stairs first, and then you can show me how much you love me.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, my love,” Gabrielle said and bent and kissed him softly on the lips.
About the Author
Amelia Grey grew up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for more than twenty-five years.
Amelia has won the Booksellers Best Award and Aspen Gold Award for writing as Amelia Grey. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she has won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter, the Maggie Award, and the Affaire de Coeur Award. Her books have been sold in many countries in Europe, in Russia, and in China, and they have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
Amelia loves flowers, candlelight, sweet smiles, gentle laughter, and sunshine.