Free A Loyal Companion by Bárbara Metzger Page B

Fitz was engulfed in sprigged muslin, a cap of golden ringlets mixed with his black fur. The dog was yowling, trying to bury himself in her lap, licking her hands, her face, wriggling with joy.
    "I, ah, guess there's no question he's your dog then," the major said quietly from the doorway.
    The girl raised her head from the dog's back. Darius saw her reddened nose, tears streaming down her cheeks, and the most radiant smile he'd ever expected to see this side of heaven. "We'll leave you to your reunion then," he choked out, when he could breathe again. He could feel Benice's hand trembling in his—or was it his trembling in hers?
    "Oh, please don't go so fast!" The girl, no, young lady was struggling to rise, encumbered as she was by ecstatic dog. The major was too burdened himself to help her, and the chuckleheaded footman was blubbering into a square of linen in the corner. At last she was on her feet, and Darius could see that her form was as lovely as her face.
    "I'm sorry for enacting you such a scene, ah, Major," she said, recognizing the insignia. "We've never been apart, you see." One hand still on the dog, she fumbled for the tiniest scrap of lace to blot her eyes, eyes he could see were the color of a summer sky. Darius wondered if he was looking at this vision any less worshipfully than the dog. He tried to pay attention to her words.
    "How can I ever thank you, Major? You must have taken such good care of my Fitz, for look how shiny he is. And his leg is wrapped better than a surgeon could do. Please, please do come in, sir, you and the children, and let me offer you…" Sonia was going to offer the reward, noting how the officer's uniform hung on his frame as though made for someone else. His face was too thin, with haggard lines, and he was leaning heavily on his cane. But the silent little girls were in crisp white pinafores, all expensive lace and fancywork smocking.
    "…Some chocolate, at least, and Cook's macaroons, so you can tell me how you found my Fitz."
    Reality intruded when the major heard voices from a room down the hall. This sweet angel didn't know who he was. She'd never invite him in, else. "No, thank you, my lady, we mustn't impose."
    "Then please, may I have your direction, that I can call on your wife to show my appreciation?"
    The major looked blank for an instant, then: "Oh no, these aren't my children. They are my brother's. That is, they were. Now they are my wards." Blast it, he was as tongue-tied as a raw recruit.
    "Then their mother," she persisted, fully intending to bring a gift and some toys for the children.
    "She's gone, too, regretfully, and I don't have a wife, ma'am, bachelor quarters, you see, so it wouldn't be at all the thing for you to call. And not necessary, I assure you."
    Truly the man was exasperating! "But there must be some way I can thank you."
    "Just seeing your joy was reward enough." He smiled, and Sonia realized he was not as old as she'd first supposed, not even thirty, in fact, young to have attained such a high rank. And he was quite attractive, in a rugged way, with the same dark hair and eyes as the little girls.
    "Now come, children, make your curtsies," he continued.
    Benice made a wobbly bow, her lower lip quivering. When she realized they
were leaving, without the dog, Bettina in the major's arms started clutching his
uniform collar so tightly that Conover's face turned red. She started screaming, "Blackie! Mimi!" at the top of her lungs. And Genessa jerked at his cane so the major's bad leg nearly went out from under him.
    "I won't!" she shouted. "He's our dog, Uncle Darius, you said! She lost him and we found him. Make her give him back, Uncle Darius, now."
    Some of the guests in the drawing room decided to make their departures, timely enough to satisfy their curiosity as to the commotion in the hall.
    "Look, Lord Berke," Sonia addressed the baron, "Fitz has come home! These kind young ladies and their wonderful uncle just brought him." She