Free Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes Page B

off the page of an English periodical rather than gone running after the midwife for the minister’s spaniel. “Is there a servant available to help me?”
    “No, Reverend Downing gives his servants the day off on the Sabbath, but I can help.” Mrs. Lee smiled. “I’m a widow, not unmarried like the Downing daughters. They all ran inside at the first sign of the dog’s condition, and Uncle is visiting a sick parishioner. That leaves me.”
    “Have you ever attended at a lying-in?” Tabitha asked as they reached the town square. “Or perhaps you have children of your own?”
    “No.” The curtness of the word was unusual in the sweet voice, then Mrs. Lee giggled. “But I’ve been around a number of cats and dogs in a similar situation.”
    “Then you can help me, if you like, but I suggest you change. I seem to already have blood on my dress.”
    Dominick Cherrett’s blood, because she’d held his hand too tightly, too close over her lap when she’d tended to his cut.
    “I saw Mayor Kendall’s redemptioner cut himself.” Mrs. Lee shuddered. “I’d have gone to help him, but my uncle said it was inappropriate. I didn’t know helping a body in need was inappropriate, but then, I’m always being told—” She broke off and laughed. “Like talking too much. And there’s poor Ginger.”
    Tabitha heard it too, a pitiful whining drifting from the parsonage garden. She hastened to go through the gate and straight to the distressed spaniel. Ginger, named for her spotted coat, lay on her side in a corner beneath the low boughs of a pine tree. Her sides heaved, but nothing happened where it should be happening.
    “I’m here to help you, Ginger.” Tabitha knelt by the dog’s head and rubbed the silky ears. “We’ll make things all better, me and Mrs. Lee here. Will you let us?”
    Ginger licked her hand and panted despite the cool, fragrant bower.
    “She trusts you,” Mrs. Lee said, her voice full of awe.
    “She knows me, don’t you, girl?” Tabitha began to pat the dog down, smoothing the dulled coat over her ribs, then moving on to her distended abdomen. When she reached the hind end, she glanced up. “Will you hold her head? Even the sweetest dogs can get snappish at a time like this.”
    “Like some humans?” Mrs. Lee dropped down beside the dog and began to pet her with one hand while holding her muzzle gently with the other. “Ever been bitten?”
    “Yes, and not by a four-footed patient.” Tabitha probed with one finger, then two. “Ah, a puppy turned incorrectly. Let’s see what we can do.”
    Dogs were difficult, being so small. But Tabitha’s hands were small too, as had once been required of a midwife by law. With Mrs. Lee stroking and soothing, and Ginger alternately licking and growling, Tabitha managed to turn the puppy. In minutes, it slid into her hand. She set it under Ginger’s nose. The dog struggled to rise, but Tabitha held her down.
    “Easy, girl. You’ve got more in there.”
    Ginger licked the first puppy clean. Tabitha attended to the delivery of the second, third, fourth, and fifth, which came so rapidly they must have been waiting in line, anxious for their first and biggest brother to get out of their way so they could experience the light of day and a mother’s love.
    And she loved them. Tabitha and Mrs. Lee ceased to exist for the spaniel once her brood surrounded her, squeaking and clamoring for their first meal.
    “I think they’ll do just fine.” Tabitha rose and grimaced at her hands and skirt. “Is there water anywhere?”
    “There’s a pail by the door.” Mrs. Lee also stood and made a face. “I think this gown is for the rag bin.” It was covered with birth matter.
    “Try soaking it in cold water and salt,” Tabitha suggested. “That works for me.”
    “I will, but no matter if it doesn’t.” Mrs. Lee shrugged. “It’s still too close to mourning clothes for my liking. How much do I owe you?”
    “Owe me?” Tabitha blinked at the