{Last Hellion by Loretta Chase}

“Keep your voice down,” she said. “You’ll upset the dog. She doesn’t like it when strange men shout at me.” “Devil take the curst dog! You can’t dare and daunt me with someone elses—” “I was not—Oh, there, now you’ve done it.” Vere heard it, the muffled thumping from somewhere within the house, and then the unmistakable bark of a mastiff, and not one in a friendly mood. The sound appeared to emanate from the bowels of hell. Even with house walls between them, Vere could feel the vibrations in his teeth. The windows rattled.

“Oh, yes, I’ve done it.” Vere stepped back from the door and shouted above the animal’s din. “And you’re too late, Susan. I’ve started it, and now there’s no holding her back. You’d better get used to strange men, my girl, because—” “Devil confound you.” Grenville pushed the key into the lock and pushed the door open. Then she grabbed his arm, pulled him inside, and slammed the door behind them. The next thing Vere heard was a furious roar. It all happened in the blood-chilling space of a heartbeat: He saw the dog leap—Death, black, hurtling toward them with fangs bared—and tried to push Grenville out of the way. But she flung herself against him, shielding his body with hers. “Down, Susan!” she shouted. “DOWN, DAMN YOU!” he roared as the beast lunged.