Page 81 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

The children grinned and gravitated toward the tea table.

“Lizzy,” Georgiana said, beaming, “and Fitz. Is it time to go?”

“Soon,” he said, pulling forward a ladder-backed chair for himself. “We have news.”

Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Good news?”

Lizzy reached over and took Jeffry from her. “You behave,” she whispered into his ear. “No disappearing in your magical way, if you please.”

He chattered his teeth, and she had the feeling he was interested in their news. Foolish thinking. Why should he care one whit about anything we do?

“Today,” Mr. Darcy was saying, “Miss Elizabeth directed us to a farmer and his wife who had puppies for sale.”

Georgiana gasped and clasped her hands together over her heart. “Truly?”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “They are Sussex spaniels. Ten weeks old. Miss Elizabeth and I looked them over, and we think there are three possible matches. Two males and one female. The Godbed children have named them Rocky, Sandy, and Flower. We will probably wish to change the puppy’s name once you choose one.”

“When can we go and pick?” Georgiana asked, her eyes bright and her color high.

“I arranged for us to go tomorrow afternoon, if that suits?” Mr. Darcy asked.

Georgiana reached across and took her brothers hand, nodding eagerly. Then she started back, and turned to Mary. “Oh, but I planned to visit the infirmary with you tomorrow afternoon.”

Mary touched her arm. “You may come with me next time—on Wednesday morning. I think you will not be calm in your mind until you can choose your puppy. If Lizzy says the puppies are sound, you may safely believe it.”

“I do believe it,” Georgiana assured both her, and Lizzy. She gazed at her brother with stars in her eyes. “And no one knows better what will suit me than you, Fitz.”

“I am honored by your trust,” Mr. Darcy said in a humble voice.

How kind he is toward his sister. She adores him, and he plainly loves her. Will he love his future wife as much as he loves Georgiana? Wife? Why am I thinking about his wife? It is none of my concern. Lizzy felt a pang in her heart. Who will he marry? Some high-born lady, no doubt. Someone with a fortune. She inwardly sighed. Certainly, he will not marry me. A new thought intruded. Why not?

“Is something wrong, Lizzy?” Mary asked

Lizzy looked across Georgiana to where Mary now sat on the edge of the sofa, her knees turned toward the others in their little group. Maria remained with her siblings, keeping them from acting improperly around the food.

“Wrong?” Lizzy asked, frowning. “No, nothing. An unexpected thought, that is all.” She forced a conciliatory smile on her lips and focused on Georgiana. “The Godbeds have agreed to keep your puppy until you are ready to return to London.”

“I cannot take the puppy away with me tomorrow?” Georgiana asked, leaning forward and suddenly appearing anxious.

Mr. Darcy shook his head slowly. “I do not wish for Basile to bully the puppy”

“Oh,” Georgiana said, her brow furrowing. “But…would it not be better for my puppy to become used to being around cats?”

“They are already familiar with cats,” Lizzy explained. “The Godbeds have three barn cats who do not take any nonsense from dogs.”

“Then—” Georgiana began.

Her brother interrupted her, using a firm, though kindly, voice. “Puppies often make messes as they are being trained. It is rude to make your host’s servants clean up after your animal.”

Slowly, Georgiana said, “Oh, of course you are right. But what about Aunt Orillia?”

“She has three dogs of her own,” Mr. Darcy reminded her. “She is well-used to the challenges of training a puppy, and so is her staff. I will write to her to prepare her for the invasion of another dog into her household.”

“Will you not return to London with me?” she asked.

“We will discuss that tomorrow on our drive to the Godbeds’ farm,” Mr. Darcy informed her.

“Yes, Fitz,” she said, nodding. “We must also be certain my new governess-companion likes dogs.”