Rowena (Regency Belles Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

round. ‘Isn’t she beautiful?’
    ‘Very,’ Rowena said. ‘But what do you know of raising a puppy?’
    ‘Oh dear, a puppy, well I’m sure I don’t know . . .’ Thomasina’s voice trailed away.
    ‘Oh . . . it can’t be too difficult.’ Amabelle pushed the jacket further off the creature. ‘Everyone has dogs.’
    ‘I can show you,’ Edward said. ‘We’ve had lots of them.’
    Amabelle swung back to him. ‘Oh, please. That would be good, wouldn’t it, Rowena?’
    Rowena doubts sank under her pleasure that something had finally banished Amabelle’s petulant expression. ‘Thank you, Edward.’
    ‘That’s decided, then.’ Amabelle clasped her hands together. The puppy gave every appearance of want to climb out of the basket. ‘May I hold her?’
    ‘I think perhaps we should take her outside,’ Edward said. ‘Dogs need . . . er . . . exercising when they wake up.’
    ‘Oh dear,’ Thomasina’s hands fluttered. ‘Then it must go out.’
    ‘Come on then.’ Amabelle grabbed his free hand and dragged him towards the door. ‘We can take it to the knot garden.’
    Edward managed a half bow before Amabelle had him pulled sideways out of the room. The basket swung in his hand, the puppy whimpered.
    ‘Quick,’ Amabelle said.
    She dragged him across the hall to the drawing room. Dodging round chairs and small tables, she hurried to the nearest of the tall windows. It opened onto a terrace of golden flagstones edged by a carved balustrade and overlooking a knot garden of clipped box hedges. Beyond it the Hall’s tree-dotted park stretched into the distance.
    Three white-painted metal benches ranged along the terrace. Amabelle bumped down onto the first, her muslin skirts ballooning around her. She held out both hands. ‘Give me her, please.’
    Edward placed the basket on the ground. He lifted the puppy out. ‘We’d better let her run around for a while.’
    ‘What’s her name?’
    ‘I’d thought of Primum as she was the first girl born. Primum puella is Latin for first girl.’
    ‘Oh, that’s too long for such a little creature.
    Edward’s face stiffened. ‘Of course you must call her whatever you please.’
    Amabelle belatedly picked up his tone. ‘It’s a very clever name. But you are very clever. Going to university.’ A small frown crumpled her forehead. ‘I’m not clever though and I don’t suppose she is.’ She captured the puppy and held it up to her face. The little creature hazarded a lick at her cheek with its soft pink tongue. ‘I think I’ll call her Primrose. That’s Prim for you and Rose for me.’
    Edward grinned. ‘Now that’s
your
clever idea.’
    Back on the ground under the concerned eyes of two young people, Primrose reached the edge of the terrace. She pushed her little head between two of the balustrade’s carved pillars. Edward strode over and collected her before curiosity and gravity landed her in the garden three feet below. He put her carefully into her new mistress’s hands and sat down.
    ‘Oh, she is such a darling. I’ll make her a little bed of my best shawl and she can sleep in my room.’
    ‘I’d make do with some straw in a box for a while. Just until she’s . . . er . . . a little older.’
    The puppy nuzzled Amabelle’s hand. She smoothed a finger over its head and ears. ‘She’s so soft.’ She leant back on the seat, looking down the garden. ‘She will be so happy here.’
    Edward scuffed his heel at the paving stone under his foot. ‘I hope she’ll be happy at Ampney Park too.’
    Amabelle gaze wandered from puppy to friend. ‘Ampney Park? Why Ampney Park?’
    ‘That’s Conniston’s major estate. You’ll be going there. Once you’re married to him, I
    ‘Bah.’ Amabelle straightened. Her dark curls tossed against their restraining ribbon. ‘I’m not marrying him. That’s rubbish.’
    Edward stared at her. ‘But Mama said –’
    A dismissive hand waved. ‘Papa says so too. And Rowena, but I’m not going