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'Clever girl...' Richard thought, knowing better than to cling to his dog when it came to random acts of flying bits of bacon. Now that Penelope had tossed the bacon away from her, he released his grip on Baldwin's collar and gave the dog free reign, lest he should be dragged along the snow and ruining his good clothing. Baldwin kicked up some snow and dirty beneath it, but otherwise had harmed no one but the piece of bacon he was given. He paid little attention to his master, or Penelope's command to her own dog, as he gobbled up his piece graciously.

And all the while, Richard was trying to keep a good hold on his temper. Not only had she been underaged, but if he didn't know any better, he suspected the innocent looking girl to be c**k-blocking him, with his own tactic nonetheless! As much as he admired her wit, he didn't particularly care for such tactics to be used against him, and he didn't like to lose. Ever.

However, he still had his appearance and reputation to uphold, so he kept his disguise up, hiding his frustration behind a smile and snapping his fingers to bring his dog's attention back to him when he looked to be trotting back to Penelope for another piece. One was enough for the glutton, and Richard would certainly not be treating him once they returned home, womanless. He noted how she didn't answer him, but he wasn't going to push the issue this evening, not when she already trumped him. "Well, I wish you the best with your studies, Penelope. Perhaps you'll like to celebrate with some sweet indulgents someday."

He reached into his pocket and produced a business card- he always kept them handy, as a back up for when a potential bedmate wasn't too fond of Baldwin. Candy, and chocolate, were ALWAYS good fall backs, and it likely got him business too, so a win-win situation for Richard. "If you come on your birthday, I'll give you a sweet deal on chocolates, or whatever else may suit your fancy."

She had darted off like a timid doe that had spotted the hunter, and Richard couldn't truly be angry with her for darting away at the first chance she got. After all, he had made the blunder of assuming her to be of age, and perhaps it was for the best that she had left when she did. She was a smart girl, one that might have suspected something and found a clever way of retreating from the situation as opposed to making a scene and thus getting Richard into trouble. So, in a way, he had to thank her for her foresight... or perhaps he was giving the girl too much credit and she merely left because she had someplace to be, as his keen eye spotted the card on the ground.

Baldwin returned to his side, licking his lips vigorously and looking around for where the nice young girl with the bulldog had went. He gave a whimper but silenced when Richard snapped his fingers and caught his attention, before receiving a pat on the head. "Good boy, Baldwin. I hope you enjoyed that strip!"

The Irish wolfhound's tongue rolled out of his mouth, loving the affection as his master knelt down and retrieved the card, and he half leaned against his horse of a dog as he read the card with a Grinch-like grin plastered on his face. "Looks like we have an invitation to an 18th birthday party, Baldwin. Well, I do... I'm afraid there are no dogs allowed in the establishment, but I'll be sure to bring you something special. Maybe another visit from Miss Penelope..."

The date wasn't too far away... Richard was a patient man. He could wait.