Page 51 of The Lady and the Duke

“There’s another fine walk there. Would you like to takealook?”

“Iwould.”

Reginald led the way, and they started downthepath.

“Do you get to see your family often?” the Doctorasked.

Lydia was silent for a moment. “Not once since I have come to my Aunt’s, and it is unlikely I shall. It is a tiresome and expensive journey, and neither my parents nor I, can afford such aluxury.”

They walked on for a piece in silence. Then Lydiastopped.

“Do you hear that?” sheasked.

Reginald turned his head from side to side trying to catch what she washearing.

“I don’t hearanything.”

“It sounds like an animal in distress,”shesaid.

“Yes. Yes. I hearthatnow.”

“Come.”

Lydia charged into the wooded area and followed the cries. They soon came upon a fox trap with an orange tabby cat captured by one leg. Once the cat saw them its cries became louder. Lydia rushed over and examined the trap, as she tried comforting the cat at thesametime.

Reginaldkneeleddown.

“Is the leg broken?” Lydiaasked.

He opened the trap and picked up the cat andexaminedit.

“I don’t believe so. She is very lucky. But the leg should be bound, as there is awound.”

Lydia pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and handed it to theDoctor.

“Here, use this,”shesaid.

“But the wound needs to be cleaned anddisinfected.”

“Can you do that later?” She laughed. “I know you are not a vet, but I would be most grateful. And I will even pay you this time for yourservices.”

“I cannot charge for what I am not qualified for, but I will be happy to assist you as yourfriend.”

“Oh, thank you. Can we headbacknow?”

Lydia took the cat from Reginald and held herclose.

“She must belong to someone,” she said. “How would I go about finding theowner?”

“You could put a notice at the greengrocer’s or place an announcement in the weeklynewspaper.”

“Yes, I shall do both. And until I find the owner I shall careforher.”

* * *

“What isyour Aunt going to say about her new niece?” Jennyasked.

“It is just a cat, hardly a niece,” Lydia insisted as she placed a basket with one of her old petticoats folded into a pillow by the oven in thekitchen.