“Shall we? Ladies?” Natalie’s mother rose, signaling the ladies leave the gentlemen to their port.
Oh, bother. Natalie would have sat there all night given the opportunity. Except, perhaps she ought to take a moment to pull herself together. These feelings were too heady, too intoxicating. It wouldn’t do for her to fall all over him giddily, like the schoolgirl he’d pegged her for on more than one occasion already.
But he was not treating her thusly tonight. When she rose to leave, he caught her arm for just a second. And he winked at her! Could he read her mind, for heaven’s sake?
She did not wink back. Instead she dipped into a quick curtsey, excusing herself, and followed the other ladies out of the room.
Natalie wrestled with a strange hope building in her heart. Was he serious about her? Is that what this meant? Or was he merely being kind for the sake of her father and mother?
She wished she knew.
As the ladies swept into the drawing room, her mother instructed the footmen to open the French doors leading to the terrace. The summer sun had warmed the normally comfortable assembling area. The breeze would be welcomed.
Natalie felt stifled, nonetheless.
Far too many concerns filled her mind for her to sit and make polite conversation, Garrett Castleton being the most pressing and Baby Bear coming in second. She’d left her new baby in Mrs. Tinsdale’s care. Tinny had promised under no circumstances would Baby Bear escape from her.
Making a quick decision, Natalie pivoted and then slipped back into the corridor. Baby Bear could make his bow to politesociety—on dry land this time. Yes, this was the diversion she needed.
She dashed upstairs and burst into her chamber. There on the loveseat, darning one of Natalie’s petticoats and humming, sat Mrs. Tinsdale, Baby Bear tucked in beside her. As a child, on rainy days, or when the boys’ teasing was too much for her to handle, Natalie could always find comfort snuggled up next to the dear nanny.
Had that really been so very long ago?
A lump lodged in her throat, and Natalie knew in her heart they could never send the older woman away. It would be like sending away her very own grandmother. Tinny sat the fabric aside and pulled the dog onto her lap. Baby Bear, lolling onto his back, submitted to the old nanny’s soothing strokes enthusiastically.
“I had thought to bring Baby Bear down and formally introduce him to the ladies.” Natalie didn’t want to upset Baby Bear or Tinny but…“It would be good to teach him to behave among genteel company, don’t you think?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Tinny stood. “The leading string is on the bed. I took him out a little while ago, so he should be fine.” Lifting the dog into the air, she looked him sternly in the eyes. “Now don’t you be misbehaving, you little rascal.” And then Tinny, yes, firm Mrs. Tinsdale, kissed the pup on the top of his head before placing him on the carpet. Natalie knelt beside Baby Bear and tied the string onto the collar Marcus had obtained for him.
“I won’t be long, Tinny,” she reassured the older woman. “Just a little while—less if he misbehaves!”
Tinny turned back to her mending. “No hurry, my dear. At least this way I’ll be able to finish some of this mending. The scamp keeps me from sewing even a single stitch.” Her normal brisk efficiency returned.
In the corridor, Natalie placed Baby Bear on the carpetedwalkway and allowed him to lead the way to the stairs. But that was the easy part. When they reached the steep staircase, the little pup halted and peered down anxiously. Although a mere six or so inches tall, he was not cowed. Instead, it seemed, he had a plan.
Much like a billiards player contemplating his next shot, the pup paced along the width of the step a few times before making his move. Once ready, he turned, paused, and then daringly dropped his front paws down to the first platform. The second half of his body followed thereafter. He took a second step in a similar fashion.
At this rate, it would take all night to descend the stairs, so, laughing, Natalie lifted him into her arms and carried him to the main floor. “We’ll work on steps later, Baby,” she told her pet with affection. Once downstairs, she set him on the floor, and together they entered the drawing room where the ladies were caught up in a spirited game of charades.
Baby Bear let out two quick yaps before Natalie silenced him. Too late. All heads turned toward the cause of disruption.
Most of the ladies spontaneously transformed into pools of mush. Puppies affected people that way. And Baby Bear was all puppy.
His soulful eyes and adorable ears doubled his attraction.
After allowing a few of the ladies to pet Baby Bear, Natalie scooped him up once again and took him to where Miss Crone and Miss Wright sat. There, the pup became the center of attention once again.
Of course, a few ladies did not care for animals. They pursed their lips and not so discreetly edged away. Nonetheless, they dared not utter their contempt—what with Lady Ravensdale cooing at the pup as though he were her first grandchild.
“He’s precious.” Miss Wright’s assessment agreed with Natalie’s own.
“Would you care to hold him?” Although not sorry she’d escaped Monfort’s company that afternoon, remorse dogged her for trapping Miss Wright with him. She handed Baby Bear into the other woman’s eager arms.
Cradling Baby Bear against her chest, Miss Wright allowed him to lick beneath her chin.
“Oh, Penelope!” Miss Wright’s eyes sparkled. “It’s like holding a baby!”
Miss Crone’s response was classic Penelope. “Ugliest baby I ever saw.”
