Julian smiled over his gritted teeth. “Either way, I’m sure the remaining pup will be fine. Make a decision.”
“Well, having considered, I think we should take little girl,” Clara said, throwing a scowl at Julian. “Of the two, she’d likely be more upset if we took away from her big brother and left her all alone.”
“You make a good point, Clara.” Julian nodded his apparent agreement. “Whereas the big brother will probably be relieved to have some peace and quiet.”
Annie made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a cough.
“The bitch, then?” Mrs. Clayton said.
The twins looked at each other for a few moments. Julian arched a brow. “Mrs. Clayton is waiting for an answer.”
Evie heaved a sigh. “We’ll take the little girl, please.”
“Right-oh.” The woman stepped into the stall to retrieve the puppy. “Here y’go, then. Lovely little thing.” She passed the smaller of the puppies to Clara before closing the stall gate. “Do you have a name for her?”
“Georgie,” Evie replied, smiling as she petted the wriggling pup. “Short for Georgiana.”
Mrs. Clayton’s brows shot up momentarily. “Nice name. A bit unusual for a dog.”
“She’s lovely,” Annie said, as the pup snuggled into Clara’s arms. “And she’s going to a wonderful home.”
Julian dug into his pocket for a coin and pressed a half-crown into the woman’s hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Clayton,” he said, and then regarded the twins. “Come on, let’s go. I’d like to avoid the rain if possible.”
“Thank you kindly, sir,” the woman replied, her eyes widening at the sight of the coin. “Very generous of you.”
They headed outside, where Julian eyed the skies. “Damn it,” he muttered, at the ominous wall of clouds looming overhead. He’d hoped to spend more time with Annie, but it seemed the odds were against him. As if reading his mind, she spoke.
“I can walk home from here, Julian. It’s not even a mile.”
“Absolutely not. I won’t hear of it.” Julian ushered the twins into the carriage and then helped Annie aboard. “It’s too bad about the weather. I was hoping to spend more time with you this afternoon.”
“Oh, but it’s been a wonderful two days,” she said. “Well, three days, actually, if we include last Thursday. I can hardly believe all that has happened.”
“I’d like to believe it’s just the beginning,” he said, taking her handas the carriage set off. “Like I said, I’ll be back here as soon as I can, unless you decide to return to London in the meantime.”
“I might reconsider that idea,” she said.
A short while later, Julian escorted Annie to the doorstep of Ferndale and found himself facing Hattie Henshaw.
“Are you not staying?” the woman asked, looking past Julian to where the twins sat in the carriage. “How are the young ladies? We heard about their mishap. You’re welcome to come in if you’d like some refreshment.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Henshaw, but I must regretfully decline.” Julian glanced skyward once more. “The young ladies are quite well, but given their mishap yesterday, I’d like to get them back to Myddleton before the skies open.”
“I understand, of course.” She gave Annie a quick smile. “Janet and I are looking forward to hearing all about your adventures over the past two days, my dear. I’ll leave you to say your farewells, though, and bid you a safe journey home, Mr. Northcott.”
The door closed.
“Well, it seems safe enough,” Julian said, his voice a good deal more cheerful than he felt. “That is, I doubt they’re about to lock you in the attic.”
“They won’t do that.” The smile she gave him had an edge of despondency about it. “You’d better go. The weather is about to change.”
“I’ll write and let you know when I’m able to return,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips as he gazed into eyes that shone with a tell-tale glimmer. “In the meantime, Annie Fairfax, do not forget me.”
“Never,” she replied with conviction, a sweet blush coming to her cheeks. “I cannot wait to see you again.”
Turning, he walked away, fists clenching as an unsettling sense of detachment came over him. As if leaving Annie was wrong, somehow. He looked back as he clambered into the carriage, committing thesight of her, still standing by the door, to memory.
“We like Miss Fairfax very much, Julian,” Evie said, as the carriage departed. “She’s the one, isn’t she?”
