Some Wallflowers Do by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brook Ridge Press

Chapter 7

A day later

* * *

“Come on, Cooper. Wake up, little fellow.” Lilian reached into the large straw basket that Clara had made into a bed and lifted the drowsy puppy, cradling him in her arms. Father had told her he planned to ask a man Lord Harlow had recommended to check Cooper’s health before he had access to the whole house. Mama had relented when she and Father had discussed the dog. Lilian suspected her father had taken a liking to the little fellow.

A knock on the door sounded, and Mama popped her head inside the room. “Lilian, I asked the housekeeper to clean out the linen closet. She has found two blankets which have not been used in some time. I thought you might find them useful for Cooper.” Her mother did not wait for an invitation to hold the puppy and held out her hands.

“Oh, what a sweet little rascal,” Lady Avalon said, tickling his belly lightly with her fingernails.

Who was this woman pretending to be her mother? “Mama, you are sure you do not mind Cooper being here, are you not?” Over the years, her mother had relented to Lilian’s various acquisitions. Not once, however, had she come to play with the pet in question. She had always maintained a reserved distance from the offending animal or bird. This, Lilian mused, was quite extraordinary. She fought the impulse to ring for Clara, to send for the doctor, and instead relished the pure joy her mother was displaying with the newest family member. Cooper lay in a relaxed pose, allowing her to scratch his belly—obviously enjoying himself, too.

Unexpectedly, Mama whipped her hand into her pocket and withdrew a small blue ball, to which she had tied a string of yarn. Cooper’s eyes lit up at the sight of it, and he immediately wriggled to be set down.

Lilian watched in utter surprise as her mother repeatedly threw the ball and pulled it back, teasing Cooper into chasing it. The little dog became thrilled and immediately threw himself into the activity, forgetting the ailments they had been nursing only a day before.

“Fetch it, Cooper!” Her mother threw the ball and pulled it back, provoking Cooper to bite and paw at the ball, determined to claim it. Lilian laughed with full-throated glee when he almost caught it, an image which hearkened back to childhood, teasing her memory.

“Mama, have you ever had a dog of your own?” Lilian asked, not sure where the question came from. In fact, she had not even thought about the question before asking. It just popped out of her mouth.

Her mother put the ball away and scooped up the shaggy apricot-coloured puppy, kissed his nose and turned to her daughter.

“Mama, what is wrong?” Lilian grew concerned. Her mother’s eyes filled with tears. “I once had a dog of my own. Her name was Rascal. You were very small.”

“I remember!” That was the memory which had fought for a footing in her mind.

“She was a small, terrier-type breed; white with brown spots on her, and we had had her for several years.

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