Kristen Ashley - Lacybourne Manor

He was still trying to lick his master’s face when he heard the loving, familiar laugh. Mallory froze, looked across The Great Hall, his floppy ears flying and saw her standing under the two big portraits.

There were tons of people there milling all over the place, drinking golden liquid from fragile glasses and eating food (some of which, Mallory fervently hoped, they’d drop to the floor). They were talking, laughing, joking, smiling and having the times of their lives.

Most of them Mallory knew, some of them he didn’t. But Mallory didn’t care. He only had eyes for one of them and he had to get to his mistress now .

Everyone was slowly stopping their chatter and turning to look as Mallory and Colin descended the stairs. And then she looked and she saw and Mallory was delighted as her face, already glowing, brightened to magnificent.

She looked so pretty in that cream dress with the pink flowers in her long, golden hair.

And she looked so happy, happier than he’d ever seen her and she was normally quite happy.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she swept forward and the crowd parted as she ran toward them.

And for the second time in his life, Colin was upstaged by a dog.

“Oh my goddess!” she breathed, snatching the puppy out of Colin’s hands.

She brought Mallory straight up to her face and she looked beyond him at Colin with love shining in her eyes.

“Oh Colin, thank you!” she cried gleefully.

She didn’t care if he licked her; she never did so Mallory gave her a big, sloppy kiss right up the side of her face.

Her body stilled before she pushed Mallory away from her and held his squirming puppy body up to her radiant face, looking directly into his eyes.

Hers were startled.

Colin’s arm came around her and he kissed the top of her head.

Her eyes melted from hazel to sherry as she brought Mallory forward and tucked him lovingly under her chin then she wrapped her arms fiercely around his puppy body.

She lifted her head and kissed her husband on the mouth before she whispered, “Oh Colin… thank you. ”

He muttered, “You’re welcome,” and then he kissed her (this one took a bit longer).

Then she dropped her chin and looked at Mallory again.

And she said, in a voice only Colin and Mallory could hear.

“Welcome home, my darling Mallory.”