“Oh, look at this, an adorable puppy! But how can they just throw him into the river like that! How cruel, heartless and entirely evil people can be!”
Henry took the pup from her hands and inspected it. “It has only three legs.” Indeed, the little pup had a stump for a fourth leg.
“So? Is that a reason to kill him? Just because he is missing a limb?” Lucy's eyes flashed. “How dare they? The real defects, let me tell you, are of the character. Those who lack a heart and a soul, those who kill and torture innocent creatures. They’re the true cripples in this world! I'd rather miss a limb than a heart!” Lucy wagged her finger into Henry’s face as if everything were his fault.
He looked at her, his head slightly tilted, a slight smile on his lips. “No doubt you’re right, Miss Lucy.”
“And if I ever catch that villain who tried to drown this adorable pup, oh I will smack my fist into his face and bundle him up and throw him right into this river myself!” She thrust her fist under Henry's nose.
Henry gave a slight laugh. “I entirely agree. I will gladly help you with that. And it's a she, by the way.”
“And—oh. What?” Lucy, who had talked herself into a rage, had a hard time processing that Henry was amused, but in entire agreement.
“The pup. It's a girl.” The puppy now barked and playfully bit Henry's fingers. He returned her to Lucy.
Henry slunk his wet hair back with both hands and she could see his face, which was no longer hidden by hair and hat.
“But—you're quiteyoung!” Lucy stared at him. “I thought you were older. Like very much older.”
She felt shy. He looked at her, and Lucy realisedher wet dress clung to her every curve. Shyly, she held the puppy in front of her as a shield.
“Deuced awkward situation, this.” Henry muttered. “We need to get out of the storm and think about what to do. With some luck, the horses ran home.”
Lucy took a step, slipped, and fell into the brook again, dragging Henry with her.
He emerged from the river, spluttering.
Lucy couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing.
They spotteda farmer's hut in the middle of the meadow and trudged towards it. Henry carried her carpetbag, while Lucy carried her puppy bundle.
“This isn't good,” she informed Henry over the drumming rain. “It's my only dress.” She only had a second petticoat in her bag, along with a scarf, a bundle of letters and a purse with a few coins.
“We'll stay at that farm until the storm has passed. Hopefully, they have dry clothes there. You have the talent to attract all sorts of disasters. First, you miss the coach. Then you spook the horses, so they bolt. And now it’s raining. Scratch that. It doesn't rain, it pours.” He glared at her.
“Right, well, blame your toothache and the state of the world on me as well while you are at it,” she replied with chattering teeth.
“I don't have toothache.” He lifted his hands hastily as if warding off a curse. “But now you mentioned it, no doubt both my wisdom teeth will start throbbing any time.” Henry took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. He looked magnificent as the wet shirt clung to his muscles. Lucy looked away and swallowed.
They walked over the meadow towards a farmer's hut. Lucy knocked delicately on the door. “There's no one there.”
Henry hammered on the door with his fist. After a while a buxom woman opened. She gave them a swift look and started to close the door. Henry jammed in his foot.
“We had an accident on the road. We lost horse and cart and need some shelter until the storm passes.”
The woman stemmed her hands against her hips and pursed her lips.
“Married?”
“Er—” Henry looked at Lucy.
“Of course,” Lucy stuck her nose into the air, all lady. “We married a fortnight ago. We’re on the way home to visit his parents. His mother is so ill. When the storm broke, the carriage tilted, and the horses ran off.”
Henry cleared his throat. “Just so.”
The woman crossed her arms. “I can offer you the shed for the night. It's clean. There's fresh straw in there.”
“For my—w-wifea room in the house, while I take the shed,” Henry argued.
