unease because he came closer and did not leave her heels, keeping an eye on the “intruder”. She had no desire to speak to Erwin and started heading towards the stables, being closer than the house.
“I see you had some nice company yesterday.” She almost froze but decided that probably showing any emotion might make the situation worse. Getting no response, he continued. “Why haven’t you responded to any of my messages?”
“I haven’t received any.” Did her mother remove them or were others told to remove them so that she would not have to deal with the ill mannered and roguish Buttwell?
“After realizing I wasn’t getting anything back from you, I assumed as much.” He took her hand which she immediately pulled away and increased her speed toward the stables. Seeing this action being taken with his mistress, Trusty started growling. “Quiet, dog!” This did not deter Trusty’s growling but it was a little quieter.
“Don’t speak to my dog in that manner!” She spoke extremely loudly, shocking Erwin. Her unusually loud voice did drift far enough so that some of the stable boys heard her and they quickly responded. Fred was immediately sent out to accompany her and to send Erwin away. When Trusty saw the good friend Fred coming towards them, he raced to him and seemed to lead Fred to the pair.
“Miss Anne, your mother is asking for you.”
“Miss Anne, I still have things to talk to you about.” Erwin tried to stay with Anne, but Fred had placed himself between them, infuriating the eldest Buttwell.
“Mr. Buttwell, they will just have to be unsaid.”
“To hell they will!”
“Sir! There are ladies in our presence! Will you please keep your manners!” Fred rarely, if ever, became enraged, but Erwin was far from being anything like Miss Anne’s two present suitors. He would rather die than see Miss Anne with this hideous man. They had come to the door and Fred pushed her in and quickly closed the door behind her, making sure that Trusty was with her. He immediately turned around and bluntly threw Buttwell off the estate.
“You haven’t seen the last of me!” He hissed at Fred as he departed.
Needless to say, after this episode, Anne needed a good amount of time in the garden. She was not going to be wandering the grounds alone for quite a while.
After spending the rest of the day almost exclusively in the garden, she needed a change of pace. The next afternoon, she decided to go to her Perfect Spot. Fred was extra watchful for any sign of the eldest Buttwell but happily did not see anything. When they arrived, he looked about for additional hoof marks or possible places that the crazy Erwin could use to conceal himself. Anne stayed on her horse understanding the extra precautions that Fred executed. Somewhat later, she was standing by the edge of the meadow, wondering how she could stop Erwin or turn his interests somewhere else; although, she did not want any young lady to have to deal with him. The foxgloves and roses were starting to wane. The end of summer had descended with the summer flowers slowly giving way to the next species. It would not be long until her garden will be covered with frost and eventually snow. She will not be able to come here either because of the cold. With this and the events of yesterday, she looked upon her natural friends with a little more admiration and emotion.
“I knew you would come here.” Fred jumped with the sudden voice that just came from nowhere. Anne spun around fearfully looking upon a face she despised. Where did Erwin come from? He just appeared behind her and he was only arm’s length away from her! Trusty quickly took a defensive stance and already started growling; he remembered this bad person from yesterday.
“What do you wish from me?” Anne was scared to hear the answer, but she needed to know what his plans were.
“I think you know.”
“If it has anything to do with the agreement, my father, as you plainly know, voided that and your father accepted it. If you wish the land for hunting and your races, you will have to discuss that with my father. But, with your actions of late, I highly doubt that he would ever consider it!” She turned from him to get closer to her horse, but a strong arm kept her at her spot. Trusty growled more fiercely.
“Shut up, you mongrel.”
“I already warned you, don’t you talk to my dog that way!”
He laughed viciously, “What do you plan on doing? I’m the one controlling the situation, not you!” He pulled her closer and Fred quickly moved between them and Trusty barked with all of his might. “Damn you dog!” Erwin twisted around and kicked Trusty so hard that he landed in the meadow whimpering. “That’ll teach you!”
In response to the horrific treatment that her dog had to endure, Anne shrieked louder than she knew she ever could. Fred pushed Erwin away from Anne with a might he did not know he possessed but was quickly thrown down by Erwin twisting his ankle on the way down. Getting the bothersome dog and Fred out of his way, Erwin pulled Anne cruelly towards him hoping to get her closer to kiss her.
He was yanked away so hard, that Anne almost was thrown against a tree trunk. In the forceful turn, Erwin flew directly into Avery’s waiting right fist making the contact even more powerful. It hurt Avery’s knuckle almost as much as Erwin’s jaw, but Avery was so full of fury that he did not even feel it. “You bastard!” Hufton pulled Buttwell up and gave him a ferocious left hook making Fred wonder if Erwin’s bones were broken by the impact. Buttwell’s head jerked so much to the side that he flew into the dirt face first. The Viscount was ready to continue when he heard a tear filled, heart-wrenching “Trusty!”
Giving Erwin a quick glance and seeing that he was not going to be moving any time soon, he ran to Anne. Poor Trusty was whimpering and he knew that the poor mongrel was intensively in pain. He was about to ride to get a doctor when Fred, limping exceedingly, stated he would get help. He was directed to go along the path and at the house to demand a doctor, one would come shortly. With a light touch, Avery inspected the brave puppy and when he came over his ribs, he whined loudly. In horror, Anne threw herself onto Avery who quickly pulled her to his chest and held her tightly. He had gone through the death of many dogs in his life, but all died either from disease or old age. Trusty was only a few months old and was such a good companion for Anne. He could not refrain from crying either. Anne had stopped crying but she was so quiet and still that Avery’s heart stopped from fear. He pushed her away to gaze with intense worry into a tear-streaked face. She was so much in shock that she did not even realize the red eyes upon her rescuer. “My dearest Anne….” He so wanted to calm her but he could not find the words and just stroked her lovely hay hair and occasionally kissed her hair or her ear. She had just become a shell of a person. It was only a few days ago that she was laughing harder than she ever did and was enjoying the company of two wonderful friends. She will never come to this spot ever again; it just possessed such horrible memories now.
The doctor finally arrived. Seeing Erwin still sprawled on the ground the doctor knew something horrible must have happened. Hufton motioned him to the spot the dog lay and verified the sad outcome that Avery had hinted at. “The poor pup probably won’t make it to sunset.” Anne leaned even more heavily on Avery. “Was kicked by the sprawled man, eh?” The doctor was only answered by a nod. “He sure had it in for the poor dog.” The older man only shook his head in pity and sadness. Seeing that the doctor was done with the prognosis, Hufton pulled Anne up and led her to her horse. He helped her mount and quickly went to talk to the doctor before he left. The physician had a little pistol with him if it was desired that they take the poor dog out of his misery. With a heavy heart but not wishing poor Trusty to anguish in pain, Avery agreed to the idea.
Fred had not returned, so the Viscount led Anne to the end of the path that opened to a large courtyard bordered by stables and under an arch the path led to the back of a large and impressive home. A small carriage was at the stairs and Hufton quickly realized it was the doctor’s. After leading Anne to the parlor, Avery quickly asked where Fred was and was led to him. Fred only had a sprained ankle but since
Anne always was accompanied by him, Hufton quickly picked another man to take Fred’s duties until he healed. Despite Fred’s strong arguments against this, the Viscount was steadfast with his decision. Then, the doctor was led to Anne. She was unresponsive, but after hearing from Fred what had occurred, the doctor was far from surprised. Also knowing that Anne was very close to her pets, the doctor knew it would be quite a blow. He could only prescribe lots of quiet, attention, love, and whatever she needs to be comfortable.
“You are saying that a soiree should probably not be attended then.”
“She probably wouldn’t even think of attending in her condition.”
Hufton only nodded his head. “So, I must call the soiree off.”
A very quiet, barely audible “no” was heard.
Avery quickly sat next to Anne and took a hand into both of his. “But dearest, it probably would be the best.”
“I need to be with those who love me: my parents, you, and Edmund.” He grinned, understanding and liking the fact that he was included in the list.
Soon later, Anne and Fred were transported back home in a carriage with their horses behind. Rarely seeing her daughter in a carriage except for balls or soirees, Lady Vinrey immediately became anxious.