Nancy pursed her lips, not wanting to divulge a story that was not hers to tell but still wanting to put Dash’s trainer at ease.
“He… doesn’t do well with dogs. He does not like them at all.”
“Oh!” Martin exclaimed. “And Dash charged at him like that… He must have been stunned.”
That was certainly one way of putting it.
“Which is why I am intent on Dash being properly trained. I want… I want my husband to know that Dash would never hurt him. To feel safe around Dash—perhaps even befriend him. I would really like them to get along, but that might not work if Dash is still not as well-trained as he could be,” Nancy said.
She could not quite put her finger on the moment she had made the decision to help Richard overcome his fear of dogs, but that was suddenly a plan in her wheel—one she was intent on seeing through till the end.
And remarkably, Dash seemed to adore Richard immensely already if the situation that had transpired earlier was any indication.
Staff members had passed by the lawn during Dash’s lessons, but he had paid them no mind. However, when he spotted the Duke, he did not hesitate to run over to him. The night before as well, rather than wait for Nancy to come looking for him or simply use his newfound freedom to play around the castle, he had gone to Richard’s room instead.
She forced her attention to turn back to Dash, who seemed to like her husband a lot—but his fondness for the Duke could get him into trouble.
“I understand, Your Grace. We will certainly attempt to fix that,” Martin said.
“Thank you, Mr. Aldridge, for entertaining my questions and concerns. I am truly grateful.” Nancy smiled at him a little, shifting her attention to Dash, who bounded to her, possessing far too much energy for his small body.
“Anytime, Your Grace.”
Nancy nodded in appreciation, holding onto Dash’s leash.
Next, she turned to Dash and tugged on his leash to encourage him to move, just as his trainer had shown her earlier that day.
“Come along, Dash. Let us go for a walk.”
* * *
Richard watched from a window in his study as the dog trainer tossed a ball forward, clapping with a pleased expression as Dash brought it back to him with excited leaps.
The man handed the ball to the Duchess next who nodded as he explained something to her, motioning for her to step forward.
It was hard for the Duke to pay attention to much else when his eyes had found his wife.
She was so… radiant when she smiled, the loose locks of her golden hair flowing in the wind. Although she was far away, he was able to notice that her skin glimmered with sweat.
He watched as she took her hand and wiped the sweat off her forehead. When she did the same for her long, alabaster neck, Richard’s skin tingled, his mind racing back to the night her dog wandered to his door.
Her chest rose and fell the same way when he had approached her, when they were barely a step away from each other.
Damn, he wanted to rip that dress from her and see that glorious chest of hers. To bite and suck on it until she begged him to go lower…
“What in the world…” he mumbled to himself, wondering how she had managed to arouse him so easily again.
Nancy tossed the ball like she had been shown how to and clapped happily when Dash retrieved it swiftly and returned it back to her.
It was curious how gentle she had been with him earlier, how understanding. Previously, she had shown her annoyance at his dislike for Dash. But back then, she was able to see how upset the hound had gotten him.
She had even helped him find his breathing again.
Was she able to see through him that easily? How did she even manage to do that all of a sudden?
Unless…
Before he could finish his though, he saw her lean forward to pat her dog affectionately, and then she glanced upward.
