Page 48 of Marry in Haste
“—like that into a decent God-fearing gentlewoman’s house, I don’t know,” Cook continued. “And as for who’s going to feed him, I know full well whothat’sgoing to fall on, oh, yes I do.”
“I’ll feed—”
“Oh, I know you young ladies are always full of good intentions, but it’s poor old Cook who has to make sure everyone is fed—and this poor creature is half starved, I’ll be bound.”
“He’s not, he’s—”
“I’ve already given him the gravy beef that was for tomorrow’s pie, and a marrow bone that was to go for soup,and he’s eaten all the leftover sausage rolls—and just look at him!”
George looked. Finn looked disgustingly well satisfied to her. He turned his mournful never-been-fed-orphan look back on Cook.
“All right, then, just one little piece of the venison we’re havin’ on Friday, but that’s the last you’re getting from me!” Cook bustled off to cut a slice of venison from the haunch hanging in the larder.
George turned an amazed look on the other two, who were convulsed with muffled giggles. “She likes him?”
They nodded. “Whenever Cook starts scolding like that, it means she cares and is trying to hide it,” Lily whispered.
Rose nodded. “She was exactly like that with the butcher, and they got married last year. That’s why she doesn’t live in anymore—she lives with the butcher, just down the street.”
“A butcher? She lives with a butcher.” George couldn’t believe her luck.
Lily nodded. “There’ll be no shortage of meat and bones for Finn, that’s for certain.”
They waited until Finn had devoured the venison and been scolded for his manners. “Two gulps? What do you call that, my lad! Disgraceful!” Cook told him. “Now be off with you and don’t you come begging around my kitchen anymore. I’ll bring you a nice meaty bone for breakfast.”
They took Finn upstairs. George couldn’t believe how clean he looked. His rough gray coat even looked soft, though of course it wasn’t. Remembering Cook’s nosegay comment, she bent down and sniffed him, then burst out laughing. “He smells of lavender. Oh, dear, good thing we’re in the city, eh, Finn—those country dogs would make such fun of you. Now, come and meet the girls.”
Finn, like the gentleman he was, sat and shook their hands politely, then, formalities over, he heaved a satisfied sigh and sprawled bonelessly out in front of the fire.
Chapter Nine
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying. And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.
—ROBERT HERRICK,TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME
The next morning when the girls came down to breakfast, Aunt Dottie looked at Georgiana’s blue dress and pursed her lips. “Is that all you have to wear, my dear?”
She nodded. “More or less.”
“Then first thing after breakfast the girls and I will take you shopping! Not only is that dress sadly outmoded, it’s far too bright a color, given your state of mourning.”
“I won’t wear black!” Georgiana declared. “Not for a man who—”
“Eat your egg, niece,” Cal snapped.
“But—”
He shot her a hard, silencing look and turned to his aunt. “Georgiana is correct, Aunt Dottie—she won’t be wearing black for Henry.”
“What?”All three girls gasped.
“But shemust,” Aunt Dottie exclaimed. “It would be quite outrageous of her to wear colors with her father so recently dead.”
“Henry’s will makes it quite clear that nobody should mourn him.”
Georgiana looked at him sharply but said nothing.
“Henry’s will?” Aunt Dottie said.
