Emily St. Laurent lounged in the library of her London townhouse, a book in one hand and the other stroking her beloved foxhound Penelope. The dog was nearly ten months old and no longer the sweet pup she'd been when Emily had received her as a gift, but a proud grown-up dog.

When Emily had been abducted by Godric and his friends, Cedric had traveled to London and bought the puppy for her, hoping it would keep her at Godric's estate and dissuade her from running off.

It ...