was steadfast with her very plain style. Lady Vinrey often wondered if Anne really was her daughter: Where did she go wrong? Anne was so quiet, reserved, and simple. How could there be such a big difference between her and her only child? Lord Vinrey must have a stronger influence upon the girl than she thought. The bulky man mostly kept to himself but at least, when needed, he could be alive and talkative. Anne did have his soft gray eyes and soft hay hair, but, thank goodness, she did not receive his wide set build nor his flat nose. That some-what pointy nose that gave the plain face some character was at least something visible that her mother gladly bestowed upon her daughter.
So, by the time bedtime arrived, the ladies had chosen their gowns and had already sent their wishes to the dressmaker. The message they received back stated that the gowns would be ready just in time for the ball! Lady Vinrey was up in the boughs at the fear of the dresses possibly not being ready in time. At such instances, Anne was glad to have the garden to disappear into, just like her father drifted to the study to avoid his wife.
Anne was not so sure what to think about the ball. Especially since the Earl was hosting it. There would be so many people, she thought, and pushing. Loud talking from the people trying to hear each other over the others. Heat. Probably no one to talk to and just more people! So, the next morning she was not in the best of moods and was now even more determined to find a dog. Now, she was thinking of maybe not being quite so restrictive. Her loyal Teddy just this morning fell down the stairs trying to amble his slow way down them. He was going to have to be kept downstairs, which probably was better for him. But, Anne would miss him in her bedroom. Who will be on the bed? What will she pet when she gets up in the morning? Who can she talk to as she lies in bed before falling asleep? She had to find a dog!
Shortly after dinner, Fred and Anne were already in Fredericks still searching when from behind they heard: “What brings you here?”
The friendly voice caused Anne to gleam with happiness. “Well, we are desperately looking for a dog.”
“You lost your dog?” He looked saddened as he led his horse next to hers
“No, looking for another to replace Teddy, my very dear loyal dog.” She became sad and almost tearful.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry about your loss. My very gravest condolences….”
“Teddy hasn’t died yet, but he did fall down the stairs this morning….” She certainly was on the verge of tears but worked hard to hold them back.
“Not severely hurt, I hope!” Anne only shook her head. “That’s something to be thankful about.” They rode a little further in silence; he was giving her time to compose herself. When it seemed that Miss Anne was back to her usual self, “So what type of dog are you looking for, if I may ask?”
“A very loyal dog, just like Teddy. One who won’t leave my side.”
“No particular breed?” She only grinned and shook her head. “Full grown or a puppy?”
“I don’t know. Which do you think would be best in this situation?”
“From the little I know about you, I don’t think you want a lap dog.” She laughed at the craziness of a lap dog. “I didn’t think so, but I gather nothing large like a sheepdog.” She agreed. He stopped his horse, Anne and Fred doing like-wise. “I believe I heard about a place where they have puppies to sell.” Anne looked apprehensive. “That might be the best idea, because being so young they can get really attached.” He quickly gazed reminiscently telling Anne that he owned dogs. But, he quickly went into action turning them around to head to the estate.
Upon arriving, the Viscount asked the stable boy where the puppies were being kept. The boy quickly led them to a corner of the stables where a litter of 6 young, very active, little puppies were in a basket. Anne was not sure if a puppy would be the right thing. Seeing the uncertainty in her face, Avery picked up one of the squiggly pups and put it into her hands. She glanced at the little handful and then looked at Avery wondering.
“What is going through that head of yours?”
“How do I take care of something this young and small?” He laughed. Other ladies would never think of the care for a dog; they just let the servants deal with it. Anne certainly was different!
“I would recommend asking your servants. I’m sure they had to deal with such situations before—“
“Good day!” Anne and Avery spun around to see a lady behind them looking like the lady of the estate. “I’m Lady Willer. I hear you are here to buy a puppy.” She glanced at the two. She was sure she knew the young man but the young miss was not anyone she could recall.
“I’m not quite sure, yet.”
Lady Willer realized that Avery was an aristocrat and not poor either. The fine cut of his well tailored suit and the large gem in his cravat certainly told her all she needed to know! Glancing shrewdly at the pair she instantly noticed that the young miss seemed to have caught the eye of the young man and she could get a good price for a puppy! “Take your time! You can hold every one of them if you wish. We were thinking of selling all of them.” She left the stables but kept close enough so that she could overhear what the occupants were discussing.
As Avery bent down to the basket, “Well, do you want me to give you each one—“
“Oh no. There’s no need.” Once Avery returned the one she held back to the basket, Anne glanced at the whole litter again. After much deliberation, she finally stated that the one with the white patch on his back seemed to be different from the rest of the bunch. That seemed to make it more endearing to her. For some reason, that did not surprise Avery at all.
Hearing correctly that a choice was made, Lady Willer quickly entered the stables. “So, any decisions yet?” Anne nodded. Lady Willer worked hard to keep a big grin hidden inside. “They cost ten guineas each—“
“What?” Anne could not believe the price: ten guineas for a puppy? These were not even pure bred! “I can’t pay that much for a puppy!” She placed the little tyke back into the basket.
“I can buy it for you,” was Avery’s quick reply.
Anne held his arm, keeping him from going to grab the little active pup. At that moment, he so desired to take Anne’s hand and kiss it warmly. “No. There is no need for you to buy it. I’m looking for a dog, not you. I will just continue looking. Lady Willer, do you know any places where dogs or puppies are available?”
Lady Willer could not believe it. The gentleman was not buying the puppy for her. Maybe she was some relation of his. Anne certainly was not expecting him to buy her a little token. Realizing that she was not getting any money, Lady Willer decided that getting some money is better than none. “That…that was a little much. Two…pounds.”
“That is much better, but—“
“Anne, I could really buy it for you.” Avery was quite incessant. He knew how much a pet can mean and understanding Anne’s temperament, a pet is taken close to her heart.
“No. There is no reason why you should pay a shilling for anything for me. Lady Willer, I must ask my father if two pounds will be acceptable. If so, I shall return, probably tomorrow, to take him. Oh, what is it a he or a she?” Avery inspected the animal and pronounced it a male. “Good, then he can really fill Teddy’s shoes.” She turned morose again so Avery quickly whisked her out. Just before mounting their horses, Anne quickly asked if the puppy could be put aside until tomorrow. If she did not return to get it by tomorrow, then they could rejoin it with the rest. Lady Willer agreed and wondered about the relationship between the two.
As they mounted the discussion still continued. “Anne, there is no need for you to leave him here. You could take him home now.”
“But I don’t know if 2 pounds is what father is willing to pay for a puppy!”
“Anne, you are quite stubborn you know!” He sent a hand through his brown hair bringing his bangs further down his forehead, which in the sunlight showed hints of blond streaks making him look quite young and dashing. Anne had to quickly breathe to hide a sigh of appreciation. “I shall esco
rt you home—“
“There is no need. Why don’t you just go about your business—“
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” He was hurt.
“Oh dear. No, not at all. It’s just that Fred here will escort me. I don’t need two men to escort me. That would be a waste of time. By the way, you seem to have learned my name, what is yours?”
He grinned, happily answering her with Avery, but the grin was short lived because Anne was incessant about refusing his escort. He responded with a comment about her being stubborn again, and with a hand wave left the two to find their way home.
The ride home was the usual ride: Fred riding a bit behind, leaving Anne to her thoughts. As they rode back, she was wondering what name to give the puppy and how to get him to her favorite spot. Eventually her thoughts went to the uncertain topic of the cost of the dog. She could have let Avery buy the puppy for her, but they were good friends with apparently many shared thoughts and feelings. She did not want to ruin that.
When they arrived at the estate, a stable boy warned Anne that Erwin was here. She thanked him gratefully for the warning and carefully went in search for her father. As she neared the study she heard raised voices: her father was discussing something with Erwin. Sure it had something to do with her disapproval of the eldest Buttwell, Anne instead headed back to the