Free Blessed Beginnings (Hunter's Ridge Book 4) by Maggie Ryan

Benedict's books."
    Mr. Benedict chuckled. "I'm sorry if I'm failing to entertain you, Henrietta. Perhaps you'd enjoy meeting my Sadie?"
    "Who is that? Does another girl live here?"
    "Ettie!" Franny gasped, her face coloring darker with embarrassment at her sister's audacity.
    Lucy looked to see Molly's lips thinning and then looked towards her sister and could tell from her expression that she was uncomfortable with Ettie's rude behavior. Even as Molly opened her mouth, Samuel hurried to ease the situation.
    "No, Sadie is my dog. She has a litter of pups that you might enjoy visiting, since my library doesn't seem to interest you."
    Ettie slid off the settee and clapped her hands. "Puppies? Where are they?"
    "Henrietta," Molly said firmly. "I believe you owe Mr. Benedict an apology."
    "Why? He was the one who suggested we go see Sadie."
    Samuel stood up with a chuckle. "I have to admit, the puppies are quite adorable, and it's only natural for a young girl to be excited. They are in my study. Shall we go see them?"
    "Okay," Ettie agreed, seeming oblivious to the discord her attitude had caused. Evidently hoping that assuaging Ettie's curiosity would be best, Franny set her cup down and stood, the twins following her example.
    Molly followed, though it was obvious to all but Ettie that the nanny wasn't as forgiving as the others.
    "Oh, they are so cute!" Ettie cried, once Samuel had led them to the large basket. Several squirming puppies were attempting to climb over each other to reach their visitors. Sadie didn't seem to mind in the least as three of her brood were instantly picked up to be cuddled. Lucy, Louisa and Ettie plopped onto the floor to play with the puppies, while Franny knelt to give Sadie's head a rub.
    "Perhaps you'd like to see the book making process now?" Samuel suggested when she stood again.
    "I'd love to," Franny answered.
    "You three remain here," Molly instructed.
    "We will," Lucy assured her, giggling when the puppy she held began to lick her nose as the nanny followed Franny and Mr. Benedict back through the house.
     
    While Samuel explained how books could be assembled, Molly smiled. It was obvious that the large man was smitten with Franny. He engaged her in conversation, asking her opinion about various books they'd pulled from one of his many shelves. When the couple's fingers brushed across not only the leather covers but across each other's hands, she hoped that it wouldn't be a failure of her duties to ignore the touch. She'd never chaperoned before, and wasn't exactly clear on what was considered to be over the boundaries of propriety. While the two looked through various supplies, her thoughts drifted to Joseph. Speaking of impropriety, he'd actually kissed her in front of the girls! In fact, he'd become quite bold over the past few weeks and though she thoroughly enjoyed his attentions, especially far more intimate kisses, she wondered if by allowing him to kiss her today she was setting a poor example. Goodness, the differences between courting in her realm and courting etiquette for those who resided 'upstairs' in this society were extreme. She knew of several friends back home who took liberties that would scandalize parents of debutantes. Looking again at Franny, she smiled. The beautiful young woman was normally so quiet and shy that Molly had no qualms the girl wouldn't adhere to whatever protocol had been drilled into her since childhood. With that thought, she pulled her own book from her pocket and began to read while waiting for the visit to be over.
    "Ettie, you can't give a dog candy!" Lucy said, when she realized that Ettie was holding out a piece of taffy to the puppy in her lap.
    "It's just a bit of sugar," Ettie said. "Besides, Sadie liked the chocolate truffle."
    Lucy looked to where Sadie was sitting, big brown eyes shining as her long tongue licked the fur around her muzzle. "Candy is not good for animals. It can make them sick." Lucy's eyes narrowed. "Didn't Papa tell