Miss Winters Proposes

by Frances Fowlkes

  She had never had someone jealous of her time. Well, perhaps her father when she became overly involved with the hounds. He, however, had done remarkably well with her recent departure, his smiles throughout their Christmas dinner relieving any lingering fears she had concerning his health and her transition into married life.

  But that a man outside of her relations should be desirous of her time, of her attentions—it made her heart swell and her head spin.

  Maybe this meant he would not expect her to leave once he had his puppies, that he believed they had a chance, as a couple, to have a future together. He seemed happy enough she had developed a relationship not only with Meadowcroft, but with his sister and his niece and nephew…that meant something, did it not?

  “Nonsense, he is simply curious.” She sent a playful shove into his chest. “He has aspirations of being a breeder. He simply wishes to be educated by someone knowledgeable in the field.”

  “Yes, well, thank heavens for your father’s arrival, or I would never be able to do this without Mr. Meadowcroft bearing witness.”

  He lowered his mouth to hers, his frustrations and need to capitalize on their seclusion evident in his affection, of the need and desire he poured into his kiss. She was unable to deny his pursuit. Which was fortunate, as she had no inclination of refusing him.

  A small cough came from the other side of the tapestry. With a growl, he tore his lips from hers.

  “Excuse me, my lord…my lady, but it is Artemis. Mr. Meadowcroft believes she may be starting…the process.”

  Juliet straightened, her gaze locking with her husband’s.

  The time had come. Artemis’s pups would be delivered.

  And Juliet would be expected to depart for Evenrood shortly after.

  The word that had once brought her a sense of peace and comfort suddenly made her sick to her stomach.

  Evenrood.

  She couldn’t depart for such a distant locale. Not now. Not when she had grown accustomed to Benjamin’s whispered words of affection. His smoldering kisses. And his gentle embraces.

  Evenrood was made of cold stone and mortar, a veritable castle on a remote moor in distant Northumberland. And the very opposite of the warmth that radiated from Darlington’s halls, that her husband evoked with his rich laughter and kind words.

  She could not leave Darlington. Not now. Not ever. This was her home. Her stronghold, where for the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged.

  Oh, her father had loved and doted upon her, and she had been quite happy as the mistress of Hollington. But her future there was not secured, and one day Frederick would inherit, and she would be at the mercy of his wife and their charity.

  Here, with Benjamin, as his viscountess, her future was one she could not have ever imagined—filled with security, affection…love.

  She peered into the eyes still holding her gaze. Big, expressive, mahogany-colored eyes she could no more forget than she could leave. Her heart had been stolen, taken by the man who stood anxious and tense, awaiting her direction.

  She had fallen in love.

  And now that Artemis’s time had arrived, Juliet found she wished the beast carried the same length of time as a human, if only to further delay the inevitable separation she no longer wished to endure.

  Nine more months would be more desirable…and closer to the time of her possible delivery.

  Juliet tore her eyes from her husband’s to stare at her flattened middle section. She could very well be with child.

  Which was another reason, as good as any, to delay her departure to Evenrood. And to give voice to her suspicions. Perhaps if Benjamin knew she was possibly carrying the next viscount, he would not wish for her to go…

  Not that he had made any comments suggesting her departure. All conversation on the topic was avoided, ignored as though it was not the eventuality both expected.

  Or wanted.

  The footman cleared his throat. “How shall I proceed, my lady?”

  Juliet pulled herself away from Benjamin’s embrace, sweeping aside the heavy tapestry. “Where is she?”

  “In the room beside the viscount, as you suggested. Her pawing and whines alerted the staff to her distress.”

  “She’s whining?” Benjamin asked. His face paled.

  Juliet placed a comforting hand on his arm. “It is not atypical for the dam to feel discomfort. She will stop when the process is over and the pups have arrived.”

  She headed toward the footman. “Run ahead and alert the kitchen staff. We’ll need plenty of water and fresh clean linens for the whelping.”

  “Yes, my lady.” He gave a shallow bow and departed, his quick footfalls echoing in the empty hall.

  “How can I assist?” Benjamin asked, keeping a quick pace beside her. Juliet took the now familiar route to her husband’s room as fast as her two feet would allow. Who knew how long Artemis had already labored, or how quickly the pups would follow? Heaven forbid if any complications should arise…

  Juliet turned a corner, and then another, lifting her skirts and near racing up the stairs. “I need you to keep Artemis calm. This is her first whelping, and I am unsure of how well she will work through her discomfort…” Juliet paused. “Then again, it might be best if you left things to themselves. Your interference might bring agitation. Artemis is in a great deal of pain. She is not herself. She may growl and nip at your fingers as the contractions progress her delivery.”

  Benjamin nodded. “Understood.”

  Juliet rushed down the hall to the set of heavy oak doors sealing off her husband’s room from the rest of the house. Making her way past his massive bed, she opened the connecting doors that led to the adjoining room, a quiet, warm room free of other dogs and set aside for the purpose of Artemis’s delivery.

  A large fire roared in the hearth, keeping the room at a perfect and toasty temperature for the impending arrival of whimpering pups.

  “How far along is she?” Juliet asked Mr. Meadowcroft, who stood watching Artemis paw and scratch at the collection of blankets in the corner.

  “The staff informed me she has been acting this way for the past six or so hours. She’s been restless, pacing the room, and pawing at her nest.”

  “Why did no one alert me?”

  Weston, Benjamin’s butler, came forward. “We did not wish to interrupt your holiday meal, my lady. Artemis did not appear to be in any danger. When Mr. Meadowcroft came in to see her, we informed him of her state. He then bade us to alert you to her condition.”

  Which was all well and plausible. Little more could have been done for the dam. Juliet let out a little sigh. A long night awaited them, especially Artemis.

  “Would you like me to send for Lord Roughton, my lady?”

  Juliet shook her head. While her father was in remarkable health, there was no need to overtax his body with any unnecessary stress or burden. Nor was there any need to interrupt his Yuletide revelry. “No. Artemis is in good health, and I am more than competent in my area of expertise.”

  “Yes, of course, my lady.”

  “Is she all right?” Benjamin asked, coming to stand by her side.

  “Of course.” Juliet squeezed his arm. “She is only in the beginning phase. It is likely the first pup will not arrive for a few more hours. For now, there is no sense in denying yourself rest. I will wake you when she begins to whelp. Until then, I shall sit here and wait.”

  “I should like to join you, Lady Colwyn.” Mr. Meadowcroft took off his gloves and set them on the fireplace mantle. “You have taught me much this week, and I would like to apply my newfound knowledge. That is, if you don’t mind?”

  “Not in the slightest,” Juliet said. She gave the man a smile. “I would be much obliged to have another set of hands.”

  Benjamin glanced between her and Meadowcroft. “I don’t find I am tired.”

  “Indeed?” asked Juliet, her smile deepening. “Well then, please join us as we have our patience tested.”

 
; “What should we be looking for?” Benjamin pulled a wooden chair away from the wall.

  Juliet approached Artemis and ran a hand over her swollen sides. “A contraction of the abdominal area.”

  Artemis whined and vomited, the contents of her stomach landing on Juliet’s slipper.

  Benjamin sprang from his chair and snatched up one of the towels recently deposited by the staff. “Is this…expected?” He wiped the refuse from her feet.

  “It is not ideal, but neither is it abnormal. Likely Artemis is nervous.”

  Benjamin set aside the towel and poured clean water over his hands. “As am I. I feel so helpless. I do not know what I would do if any harm befell her or the pups. She is—”

  “In good hands, I promise. The whelping process is mostly instinct. She will contract and deliver the pups whom we need to keep warm and well fed. I highly doubt any troubles will arise, but should they, both Mr. Meadowcroft and I are here to assist, and my father is only downstairs.” If he wasn’t already too deep in his cups.

  Benjamin knelt on the floor, rubbing Artemis behind her ears. The first contraction took hold of the dam, her lithe body straining against the discomfort, her muscles shaking beneath her coat.

  Benjamin stood, his eyes wide, his face pale. “I-I-I-” he stuttered, glancing down at the contorted Artemis. “I have not harmed her, have I?”

  “No.” Juliet placed an assuring hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze.

  “It looks like things are progressing faster than we expected,” said Mr. Meadowcroft. He grabbed a linen and spread it over his hands.

  Juliet stepped back, dipping her hands into a bowl of water, cleaning herself, and giving the dam space to proceed with the delivery of her first pup. “Mr. Meadowcroft, a cloth, if you please.”

  Mr. Meadowcroft placed the clean linen into her hands as the first pup made its appearance.

  Artemis began licking the tiny offspring, clearing away the remnants of birth and stimulating the pup to breathe. With a tiny cry, the pup uttered its first sound.

  Benjamin’s eyes widened farther. “Is that…?”

  “The first of your litter, yes,” Juliet said with a smile. “Artemis is officially a dam. And one who is steadily progressing.”

  Juliet kneelt down and scooped up the spotted pup, wrapping it in a dry cloth to keep it warm.

  “Will it need to be fed?” Benjamin asked, his voice filled with wonder.

  “Yes, but not while Artemis still labors.” Juliet massaged the back of the pup, instilling warmth into its tiny body. “With this being her first time as a mother, I do not want to risk her stepping on the pups or damaging them as she readies for the next delivery.”

  “Which is now, Lady Colwyn.” Mr. Meadowcroft handed her another cloth. Juliet set the first pup in a closed off corner near the fire and made her way toward Artemis.

  Artemis strained through another pup, once again licking it free of the membranes in an attempt to stimulate its small lungs. Lungs that did not respond.

  She scooped up the limp body, rubbing its tiny back and doing her best to remain calm. Blood thundered loud in her ears. She was fully aware of the importance of these pups, the attachment her husband held for them, despite his silence in verbalizing the claim. He had a placement for these pups. And if there were no pups to place…

  Nonsense. She had one for certain. The second, however, remained lifeless in her hands.

  Mr. Meadowcroft studied her face. “Is there something amiss?”

  “I fear, that is to say, the pup is—”

  “Dead.” Benjamin stood beside her, his face stricken with panic. “It does not move.”

  Her mind doing its best to steady her nerves, Juliet nodded. ”I’m afraid this one was not born alive.”

  Benjamin let out a curse, his thick hands rubbing the top of his hair. “I should have known,” he muttered. He sank to his knees and set a trembling hand on Artemis’s head.

  “Should have known what? There is no way to predict the outcome of the litter.” Juliet set the limp body in Mr. Meadowcroft’s outstretched hands so she might reassure her husband. “Stillborn pups are a common enough appearance. One pup does not determine the health of the remaining pups.”

  Although it certainly sent a warning. Juliet stared down at the copious amount of blood splattered across the floor. While birth was not a clean or tidy process, it was not usually this…bloody. Or quick.

  Something was wrong.

  Juliet knelt down beside Artemis and ran her hands over the bitch’s swollen sides. Everything felt as it should, tight and contracted, readying for another pup, but none were dropping, which meant there was likely a blockage of some sort, a pup caught on his way out.

  Lifting the hound’s tail, Juliet assessed the precarious situation, her hand manipulating the dam’s underside, while her eyes took in the massive amount of blood spilling out the poor creature’s rear end.

  Artemis labored, her breathing shallow as she lowered herself to the floor.

  “Lady Colwyn?” Fear replaced the excitement that had earlier lit Mr. Meadowcroft’s eyes.

  Benjamin stared down at his bitch. “Juliet. Is all well?”

  “I—I…no.” Juliet stood and stared at the two men.

  “My father,” she choked. “I need my father. His assistance is required. Tell him it is urgent…and Artemis is in danger.” Her hands trembled, despite her best attempts at keeping them still. Benjamin was watching. She needed to stay calm for him.

  “Jesus,” Benjamin whispered. “Is she…?”

  “I don’t know.” Juliet kneeled beside the dam. “She is not progressing as she should. The blood…”

  Mr. Meadowcroft took off through the double doors.

  Juliet stared after him. “My father will know what to do.” He had arrived at Darlington the night prior for Yuletide revelries. He was to stay one more evening before returning home…but he found comfort in the familiar and it was not unusual for him to return early from entertainments. She could only hope he had not left…and was not too deep in his cups…

  Benjamin moved beside her, his large hand stroking the dam’s head. “Is there anything that can be done?” he asked, his voice hitching. “I need her, Juliet. I need her pups. Mr. Lightwood specifically stated he wanted two of Artemis’s litter. Only hers. And two. Two.” He held up two trembling fingers.

  Juliet ran a tongue over her parched lips. “Why two?” She lifted her gaze to her husband. To display Benjamin’s capabilities in breeding hounds? To prove he had the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a world of competitive breeders, each set on making names for themselves?

  “Mr. Lightwood requested one for himself and one for his nephew. In order to make the placement and receive full payment I require two. From Artemis.” He ran a hand over his dam, his voice breaking. “She is my friend, Juliet. Without her I—”

  Artemis whimpered, the small cry causing Benjamin to cradle the dam’s head in his lap. “There, there,” he whispered. “I’m here, girl. I’m here.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. Juliet was well aware Artemis was more than his hound, she was his friend, and should she die on Juliet’s watch…after she had promised him all would be well…because after all, had she not boasted of her experience?

  She was a fine fool. And one who was lost outside of her element. Never in all her life had she borne witness to such a complication…

  Juliet placed a hand atop Benjamin’s. “Surely Mr. Lightwood can be recompensed. My dowry enables you access to my hounds. We can offer a pup of his choosing from the next litter.”

  A hollow laugh sounded low in his throat. Benjamin gently lowered Artemis’s head and sat back, his forehead coming to rest on his knee. “Mr. Lightwood favored Artemis’s personality and line. He was not interested in pups from other hounds, but hers specifically. And it’s no wonder. She is a magnificent creature, a true and loyal companion.” He lifted his head and stared down at his suffering dam. “I do not see another wh
elping in Artemis’s future—if she has a future at all.”

  “But surely Mr. Lightwood can see reason. While Artemis is desirable, my hounds—”

  “The same hounds you profess to know how to breed? From a kennel you hope to back with funding from my name and line? Both which will lose accreditation because my dam is unwell and only able to produce one pup?”

  Juliet pulled back her hand, his cutting words and biting tone slicing through her. More so, because they held truth. She was not as skilled as she believed herself to be—and for that, she could offer no excuse other than the admission of the truth.

  “I am knowledgeable in hound breeding. I have simply never experienced this…this large amount of blood loss.” Grabbing up a clean linen, she sought to stop up the flow and assist the dam in any way she could. “My dams take a little bit more time between their deliveries. But they also carry larger litters. Artemis is…”

  The dam panted, her tongue lolling to the side, her eyes rolling backward. “No, no, no,” Juliet whispered. She rubbed the hound, rousing the dam from potential slumber and threats of death.

  Benjamin covered his mouth with his fist, his other hand stroking Artemis’s chin.

  “Benjamin, I—”

  Her father rushed into the room, Mr. Meadowcroft a few steps behind him. “What in heaven’s name happened?”

  “The blood. She whelped two pups and then…” Juliet’s voice garbled in her throat.

  Her father put his hand on Artemis’s sides, his eyes wide as he took in the messy, bloodied scene. “She is hemorrhaging. With at least two more pups inside.” He held out his hand for a cloth, which Juliet gave him, her red handprints coloring the white linen.

  “I—I don’t know what happened.” Salty tears found their way down her cheeks. “She was fine one moment and then…”

  Her father placed a hand on hers. “You’ve done well, my dear. There is nothing you could have done differently. But you’re upset, and in no state to aid me. Go. Lie down. A servant will bring you a cup of something strong to settle your nerves. Lord Colwyn and Mr. Meadowcroft will assist me.”

  “But—” Never before had she not seen a whelping through to the end. It was her job to clean the dam, to attach the pups for suckling. She and her father had a system, a fine-tuned routine they had honed through years of practice and experience.