Chapter Two

Anna paced her study, cursing fluently under her breath. Her hands fisted at her sides, she was clearly distraught.

"I don't like it one bit. Do you hear me? Not one bloody bit." She said shaking a fist at the man watching her.

Harmon Barrett, Anna's best friend, stretched out his long legs and crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't give me that look!" she said, her forehead wrinkled in anger.

Harmon rolled his hazel eyes and looked up at her. "This has gotten you into a tizzy fit hasn't it?" he asked watching her, and biting back his laughter.

"Yes it has. I don't like him, not one bit, and having him handle my affairs when I am not present bothers me." She said and continued pacing. She stopped and looked down at Kirby, who was lying in front of the fire place sleeping.

"Ok, well what do you want me to do about it?" he asked.

"Get rid of him, hire somebody else. I would see to it myself but I can't leave yet, you know that." She said turning to look at him.

She couldn't help but smile at him; he always made her feel like a complete imbecile whenever he came.

"I will Anna. I can't help but notice that something is different about you. You met a man haven't you?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

Her eyes flew open and she shook her head. "No. Whatever would have made you think that?" she replied biting your lip.

"Your biting your lip." He pointed out. She stopped immediately and went to her desk. She sat down in her large chair and looked at him.

"I have not met a man."she paused, looking at his unbelieving expression. "I ran into one." She finished with a grin.

Harmon laughed at her. "Anna, Anna, Anna, you will never change."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I hope not."

"Now, Harm, I thank you for stopping by and updating me on everything, but I have to go take Kirby for his walk. Don't be a stranger, and I hope to see you at church on Sunday." She said standing and walking towards Kirby.

"Aye I will. Now you my lady, just stay out of trouble and be good." He replied. He kissed her cheek and walked out of her study.

Anna knelt down and put a leash on Kirby and tugged. Kirby woke up immediately and jumped up, his tail wagging so much it looked as if it would fall off. "That's right; we have nothing to do today, so you and I will take a long stroll through the park. Ready to go Kirby?" she asked. He gave a loud barking reply, and they were on their way.

Anna sat down on a park bench and arranged her yellow skirts. She laid her umbrella down beside her, and unleashed Kirby. She picked up a stick a tossed a good twenty feet away. He skipped to where it was and picked it up. He was ten feet away from her when he turned and ran suddenly around the corner, barking gleefully.

"Not again." Anna said and picked up her umbrella, she hurried after him, only slowing down when she rounded the corner. For some reason, she was nervous, and excited. The other day when she rounded this corner she ran into that man.

But this time, there was no one. She let out a breath she'd been holding and walked swiftly to where Kirby was, which was trying to jump up a tree. He must have seen a squirrel and began chasing it.

"Kirby!" she ordered. Kirby pushed away from the tree and turned to her. His tail was wagging and he had a look of innocence in his brown eyes. "Come here." She said and pointed to the ground. He followed her command at sat down at her feet.

"Now, what came into you that you just had to chase that squirrel? I have already told you that that is not the proper way."

"Don't be so hard on him my lady. He is just a dog after all." A smooth, deep voice said; a voice that she recognized.

She turned and looked into those green eyes; eyes that could see right into her very soul.

"He knows not to go chasing after squirrels in public. Despite popular belief, my dog is very well trained and mannered." She replied.

Then Kirby began barking madly and jumping up onto the man. The man laughed and picked him up. "I have taken a liking to your little fellow here." He said as Kirby licked his face.

Anna smiled and stroked Kirby's head, "Traitor." She whispered into his ear.

"What type of breed is he?" he asked, mesmerized by her dazzling smile.

"He is a West Highland white terrier. They are born and bred in England. I brought him back with me a few years ago when he was just a pup." She said.

He nodded, and they began walking through the park together. "He seems like a wonderful companion. Might I ask why you went to Ireland?"

She laughed and shook her head. "You don't know me, and I don't know you. So for me to tell you things would be entirely inappropriate."

"Do you always do what you are told?" he asked. She looked away and grinned widely, "Not always. Now may I please have my dog back." She said, opening her arms.

"Yes Ms."he tried.

"No, my dog please." She said taking him. She set him down and attached the leash.

"Until next time then." He said with a smile.

"Good day." She said and sauntered off.

He laughed and shook his head at her. Before he walked away, he saw her turn and say, "McKenzie."

Christian Lawrence stared after the young woman. He turned and walked towards a couple in conversation.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you knew who that young lady is, with the little white dog. Is it McKenzie something?" he asked.

The man leaned over and saw the retreating figure. He smiled, "Ah that would be Annaliese McKenzie, Duchess of Yorkshire. What a lovely creature. I have known her for many years. Why do you ask?" the man replied.

"I was just wondering, I like her little dog, and was interested in purchasing one for my niece." He lied quickly.

The man nodded, "Yes that is Anna; she is a very sweet creature. Known all over these parts. My wife and I are good friends; perhaps we can introduce you to her."

"That would be very helpful, my name is Christian Lawrence. I have just arrived here from Paris." Christian said offering his hand.

"Mark Jameson, and this is my wife Katherine." The man replied taking his hand and shaking it.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Christian said, a smile on his face.

Christian talked with the couple for a little while longer before making his goodbyes. He was invited to accompany them to Lady Allen's annual Spring Ball. He agreed to go and Katherine said that it would be the perfect opportunity for him to be shown off to all the young ladies. Christian walked to his horse and climbed on, a smile on his face. The ball was tomorrow night.