Ada & The Queen (The Woodhouse Series #3)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

*Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Battersea/London Residence of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Mayfair*

A Border Collie puppy sat in a cage and Colin had a stare down with it, as it growled at him. There were dogs and cats everywhere and for some reason, they were not particularly fond of him. People - young and old - together to raise money for Battersea through a charitable auction, hosted by the charity's patrons.

One of whom happened to be Christina.

Colin had mentioned to Louis that he would go to show support as Louis was unable to make it. Louis was appreciative, but Colin was determined to get on Christina's good side.

He was not going to make an enemy of his best friend's sister.

As he greeted some fellow fundraisers, Christina found him. "I thought it was you..." She said, having watched him charm the room for a while from her vantage point from the gallery above. Colin smiled and took her hand, kissing it charmingly that Christina blushed. "What are you doing here?"

"Louis couldn't make it so I volunteered to provide emotional support on your first charity gala..." He explained, offering her his arm which she took.

"You did not need to..."

"It is not a big deal. Besides...I can use the opportunity to look for a companion for my sister Aoife..."

"The Countess of Ellesmere?" Christina recalled and Colin nodded, impressed she remembered.

"Indeed. It seems the country life is some getting used to..." Colin laughed. "She is lonely and I think an animal companion would be wonderful to keep her company! How much do you know about animals?"

Christina smiled. "Quite a lot, so if you tell me what your sister is like, I can help you."

And together they joked and laughed and learnt so much about each other and their loving families. Christina introduced Colin to other patrons as he enlightened and charmed all with his positive attitude and wonderful stories of his Irish homeland. Colin was having fun and Christina found herself warming up greatly to the charming Irishman - in more ways than she would like to admit.

As animals were adopted and money was donated, Christina described the characteristics and temperaments of the different puppies present that Colin was interested in. He listened intently to Christina, amazed by her vast knowledge of the different breeds, but Christina was getting suspicious. He asked questions, but the way they were framed as if he already knew the answer, he just wanted her to say it.

After some time, Colin settled on a 3-month-old female Yorkshire Terrier and Christina stroked the beautiful puppy in his arms. "I think the Countess of Ellesmere will be happy with this choice..."

"What will you name her?"

"I think I'll give Aoife that honour...unless she names her something ridiculous..."

"Like?" Christina laughed.

"Like Biscuit! Or Apple!"

"So...food names are a no-no?" Colin nodded as Christina tilted her head. "So what did you name your dogs?"

"Five Irish Greyhounds. Dagda, Lugh, Morrigan, Cerridwen and Arawn."

"Irish names?" Christina questioned as Colin nodded.