Page 29 of The Gift of Patience
Yet again, Patience found herself atpoint non plus. As usual, once Ashley Stuart left her sphere, her spirits were downcast. Even though he made her furious at times, he was exciting.
Once the rest of the guests were done breakfasting, there would be something to do. But for now, since no one else was down yet, she took Xander and wandered to the barn to see if Joy had found Freddy. “Come on, Xander. If anything will bring Freddy out, it’s you.”
He wagged his tail, delighted that she was speaking to him. They trudged through the still somewhat sodden earth until they reached the barn.
They were greeted by a cacophony of animal sounds, some of which were still not used to the puppy. Looking from stall to stall, she finally found Joy sitting, bent over an animal.
“Did you find Freddy?”
“Patience! Look!”
Xander was already trying to worm his way in, but Patience held him back. She looked over Joy’s shoulder and gasped. “I guess that explains why he was looking fat.”
Freddy was lying there nursing six kittens.
“Are they not the most precious things you’ve ever seen?”
“They are adorable,” Patience agreed, though at the moment, they looked like drowned rats. “I had best keep Xander out of here so we don’t disturb her.”
“Would you mind telling Mr. Cunningham? I think he should know. And of course, tell Grace and Vivienne.”
Patience smiled to herself. “I will go tell them at once.”
Joy returned to adoring the cat and kittens, and Patience took Xander out of the barn and back to the house. “I do not think Joy is going to be your mistress after all, Xander, which suits me just fine.”
By the time they reached the house, the other guests were in the breakfast room.
Lord Montford and Mr. Cunningham stood at Patience’s entrance. She waved them back into their seats and filled a plate. Her cup of coffee was long gone.
“I have news,” she said once she sat at the table.
“Pray tell!” Mr. Cunningham said.
“It seems our little Freddy Tiger is more of a Frederica.”
He frowned, trying to decipher her meaning.
Grace understood and gasped. Apparently none of them had ever thought to check or perhaps even knew how.
“Indeed. Frederica has birthed six kittens this morning. Joy is in the barn with them now.”
“Well, I’ll be…” Mr. Cunningham seemed to think better of what he was about to say. He wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin on the table. “If you’ll excuse me?” He was already running out of the door before anyone could answer.
They all laughed at his exuberance.
“You’d think his heir was born,” Montford scoffed.
“I think it’s very sweet,” Grace said.
“Did you get a good look at them?” Vivienne asked. “Are they all orange tabby like Freddy?”
“Right now, they look more like wet rats than anything, but I did not get a good look. I was trying to keep Xander back so as not to disturb Freddy.”
“She certainly has not taken to him, but I suppose having kittens explains it,” Grace reflected.
“Indeed,” Vivienne agreed.
“We will go take a peek when we finish here,” Grace suggested.
