Page 87 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Oh, how lovely,” Georgiana said. She took a sip of her tea, smiled her pleasure at its taste, and set the glass on the table. She tugged off her gloves and rested them beside the glass, then she accepted a delicate, shallow tart. After a bite—which Mrs. Godbed eagerly watched her take—Georgiana half-closed her eyes in pleasure. She swallowed and said, “Oh, ma’am, this is so delicious.”

“Thank you, miss. Now, you finish that one and ‘ave another one afore them puppies come.”

Fitz also praised Mrs. Godbed’s baking, mentioning a loaf she had baked the day before. Georgiana finished her second tart, spied the returning Godbeds and began squirming in her seat.

“Here they come!” she squealed softly. Hastily, she wiped her fingers on a napkin, drank some more herbal tisane, and then held her arms out for the puppy in Tommy’s arms. “Who is this?” she asked, taking the animal and holding him against her chest.

“He’s Rocky, miss,” Tommy said, stepping back out of the way.

“He is so soft,” Georgiana crooned, and then giggled when he licked her chin.

“Try mine, miss,” Janice said, holding out her puppy. “‘is name’s Sandy.”

Georgiana traded Rocky for Sandy. “He is just as soft,” Georgiana claimed, rubbing her cheek over the top of Sandy’s head.

“And mine, miss,” Gilbert said, holding out the puppy for her to take. “She’s Flower, miss.”

Georgiana managed to take her onto her lap, holding her in place while she cradled Sandy.

“Only one, my dear,” Fitz reminded her.

“But, how shall I choose?” she cried softly.

“I think you should put them down on the ground and see which one wants to come back to you,” Fitz advised.

Georgiana slipped off the chair and sat on the carpet Mrs. Godbed had lain over the flagstones. She set the two puppies in her arms down onto the carpet. The three puppies gamboled over each other, tugging on ears and making puppy-growling sounds as they played. Georgiana laughed in delight, taking in their antics, praying one of them would separate themselves from the group and approach her again. After a few minutes, the female rolled across the carpet and landed next to Georgiana. The puppy stood up, shook herself, and gazed upwards. She yipped in pleasure and climbed onto Georgiana’s lap.

“Oh, my darling girl,” Georgiana cooed, lifting her close and nuzzling her.

“That’s Flower, miss,” Gilbert informed her. “She likes ye.”

“Do you think so?” Georgiana asked, petting and snuggling her.

“Oh, yes, miss,” the boy promised.

“Let’s take these other two back t’the barn, now, children,” Mr. Godbed said. He knuckled his forehead to Georgiana and Fitz, then he put his cap back on. The children captured the two loose puppies and followed their father back to the barn.

“We will need to put another string around her neck so we can tell her from the rest,” Fitz said to Mrs. Godbed.

“I made her a woven thread collar, sir,” Mrs. Godbed explained, pulling the red and blue and green item from her apron pocket. The bit of braiding appeared to be the width of a child’s baby finger. She approached Georgiana and put it on Flower while Georgiana held her still. “That should do it fer a couple o’weeks.”

“May I visit her?” Georgiana asked, already reluctant to leave her precious Flower behind. “If it is no trouble, of course.”

“Any time ye likes,” Mrs. Godbed assured her, beaming. “Monday’s washday, mind, so you’ll ‘ave t’make do with Flower’s company iffen ye comes tomorrow.”

“That sounds inconvenient, ma’am,” Fitz said. “Will Tuesday morning do?”

“Tuesday’ll be jist fine,” the farmwife said. “If the weather turns, ye can sit in the kitchen w’me and play w’yer puppy while I do some bakin’.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana said, rising. “You are ever so kind.” She kissed Flower and set her on the carpet, and then reached for her glass. After finishing her tisane, she glanced at Fitz. “Are you ready to go?”

He smiled. “More importantly, are you ready to go, my dear?”

Georgiana grimaced. “I will not deny that it is a wrench to leave Flower behind, but I am determined to be sensible.” She turned to her hostess. “Thank you so much for letting me choose one of your puppies. I swear I will take excellent care of her.”

“I’m that sure ye will, miss,” Mrs. Godbed said, beaming back at her. She moved over to a pile of split logs and lifted down a small, rectangular, handled basket. A blue and white gingham cloth covered its contents. “Ye must take a few of me tarts away w’ye. I ‘ave some in a basket ‘ere.”

“Goodness,” Georgiana said, accepting the gift. “Thank you. I will bring the basket and cloth back with me on Tuesday.”