She nodded. Dalton offered his arm and then after she took it, he said, ‘I’ll show your wedding gift to you, just before we leave.’ As they passed MacLachor, Dalton murmured, ‘Go and fetch the gift for my wife. She is ready now.’
Regina waited in the hall beside Dalton, feeling utterly bereft and confused. For so long, she had believed she could never be the wife he wanted. He would want children one day, and she didn’t want to see his face transform with irritation or loathing. But she couldn’t deny that he made her yearn for a different life, one where she could be whole again.
When she heard the patter of paws approaching, she turned and saw a dog that made her heart melt. ‘This is your wedding gift,’ Dalton said. ‘He’s still very young, nearly a year old.’
Regina could hardly speak, for she was overcome by joy as she knelt down. The dog’s golden fur was silken, and he licked her fingers as if searching for hidden treats. ‘He’s mine?’
‘He is. I remember how much you enjoyed dogs when I brought you the pug in London.’
‘I’ve always wanted a dog. I love him.’ Happy tears came to her eyes, and she brushed them away. But more than that, she realised that Dalton truly did care about her if he had brought her such a gift. She stood, needing him to understand how very much this meant to her. Though she kept the leather lead in her hand, she reached out and squeezed his hand. ‘I have never had a nicer gift.’
He continued holding her hand, his gaze intent upon hers. It evoked the memory of his mouth upon hers, and an unexpected yearning filled her. She wanted to kiss him again, but he had asked her not to touch him. Though she would respect his wishes, she rather wished she could embrace him.
‘What will you name him?’ he asked as he led her outside.
‘You might laugh at me,’ she warned. ‘But when I was a little girl, I loved legends and folklore. I always wanted to name a dog after King Arthur.’
‘Then Arthur he shall be.’
She was eager to enjoy time with the animal. It also gave her a way of occupying herself. Her emotions were all over the place just now, and she felt uncertain. This wasn’t meant to be a true marriage—and yet, it was starting to change. With each day she spent at his side, she found herself softening. Dalton was a decent man, and he deserved a true wife, not her. If she had any feelings towards him, she should release him from this false marriage and give him the chance to win a woman who could love him in the way he deserved.
But selfishly, she didn’t want to.
For so long, she had been a ruined woman, damaged and broken. Was it possible to change that? Could she somehow bury the past and try to be a stronger woman, one who could love this man? She didn’t know.
The walk to his grandfather’s house wasn’t long, but along the way, Arthur sniffed at the ground and stopped several times to mark his territory. The dog was a welcome distraction from her tangled thoughts. ‘It may take an hour to arrive at your grandfather’s home if we have to keep stopping,’ Regina remarked. ‘I hope he won’t be upset if we are late.’
‘He doesn’t know that we are coming to pay a call,’ Dalton answered. There was a hesitation in his voice, and he added, ‘Regina, I don’t know if this will be a good day or a bad day for him. My grandfather often forgets many things.’
‘How old is he?’ she asked.
‘He is eighty.’ Dalton paused and then said, ‘Sometimes he lives in a world of his own imaginings.’
She understood his unspoken request for patience and nodded. Though she had met many elderly folk who had difficulty with memories, she suspected that this was far more.
They continued to walk for another quarter of an hour before they reached the house. Regina was surprised to see that it was larger than she had imagined. The front of the house appeared tiny, but it stretched back farther and was all on the same level with no stairs.
Dalton approached the front door and rapped the knocker. A matron answered the door and smiled at him. ‘Och, laddie, he’ll be glad t’see you today. And I’ve heard from the Cairnross staff that this be your wife, Lady Camford? What a bonny one she is. His Lordship will be so glad.’ The housekeeper bent down and ruffled Arthur’s ears.
So much for keeping the news from Lord Cairnross, Regina thought. But perhaps it wouldn’t matter in the end. Her nerves prickled at the thought of making a true attempt to be a real wife.
‘What kind of day is Grandfather having, Mrs Howard?’ Dalton asked.
Her mouth turned up in a smile. ‘I canna say. I’ll leave it to you to decide.’
Regina didn’t know what to think of that, but she picked up the puppy to ensure that he didn’t startle Dalton’s grandfather.
‘Is he too heavy for you?’ he asked, but Regina shook her head.
‘Arthur’s not heavy at all. But I will need you to open the door.’ The dog squirmed in her arms, licking her face with vigour. Regina tried to hide her amusement, but when she walked inside the parlour, she was startled at the sight of Lord Cairnross.
The earl had tacked up long sheets stretching from the curtains to the piano. Chairs lined the room, and he stood on the piano bench. He still had his hair, but it was snowy white. His beard was also white, and he wore a uniform that reminded her of the Royal Navy. In his right hand, he held a spyglass, which he turned to her. ‘So, you’ve returned, Marguerite.’
Regina didn’t know who Marguerite was, but Dalton took the dog and
