“This is Cooper,” she gleefully told him. “I found him in Richmond Park.” Lilian withdrew a handkerchief from her pocket and unwrapped it, breaking a piece of the biscuit that Cook had given her. “Cooper, this is Barney.” The little dog edged his nose into her other pocket and withdrew an apple slice from the bag and began to eat that.
“You like apples? I had not thought about that. Danby gets these, but we will not tell him.
“Ruff!” Cooper gave a quick bark. Barney gently patted the puppy on his head.
A shrill whinny pierced the air and a dark bay walked to the fence and leaned over, reaching her head, nickering softly in her ear.
“Danby! Lilian reached up and pulled him closer, kissing the stripe of white on his head. Cooper jumped off her lap, but stayed close to her, furiously sniffing the surrounding air. “He does not seem afraid of you, Danby.”
Danby shook his head and nickered.
She scratched his face gently. “I hope that you will be friends. You are both dear to me.”
“Ar-ruff!” A high-pitched bark alerted her and she turned her head.
“I tried to surprise you.” Lydia laughed. “It looks as if I got here just in time for the grand meeting.”
“Lydia, look at Cooper.” Cooper had slowly moved to the fence and was making himself as tall as possible. His hackles were up and he was staring directly ahead. “No, Cooper.” Danby stretched out his neck and nudged the puppy with his nose from under the fence. Cooper leaped backwards in the air and rolled over. Lilian reached down and picked up her puppy, putting him in her lap. “Oh, dear, that was funny, Cooper. My horse was just saying good morning to you. He is very handsome, is he not? See how his coat shines! We will have your coat as good as that soon.” She withdrew the apple slices from her pocket. “Danby, I have something for you.” Holding each slice in her palm, one by one she offered them to her horse. He took each sliver delicately and chewed it before coming back for the next.
“Ruff!” The puppy licked her nose and she gave him one.
“I see how this will be with you,” Lilian said with a laugh, pulling the handkerchief open. “Here you go, little fellow,” she said, feeding him the rest of his biscuit. She was glad to see that he no longer wolfed his food down. Instead, he accepted the food gently and seemed to enjoy it.
“I have something for you, too.” Lydia pulled a walking stick out from behind her. “I had it made for you. I thought…well, never mind that. Here you are.” She handed the stick to her sister.
Lilian looked at the cane. It was beautiful. The smooth mahogany cane held the head of a horse. A knot rose in her throat. How could Lydia do this?
“You know I cannot stand.” She tried to say more, but her throat constricted.
“You have not tried to walk in a long time. Please, do consider it, Lilian. I think this will help you. You can stand here, with Danby and use the fence for more support. Your legs will work, I am convinced they will.” Lydia peered down at Cooper. “I am counting on you to be a wonderful inspiration to my sister, little fellow.”
“I do not know if I can do such a thing. The doctors…” Lilian’s eyes blurred, and she could not finish her thought.
“The doctors said they did not understand why you could not walk. I have faith that you can. You do not have to try now.” A single tear ran, unchecked, down Lydia’s face. “I had two of them made for you. I thought I would leave this one near Danby. It can be kept by his stall, in case of need.” Lydia smiled gently, wiping her face. “I believe you will walk again, Lilian.”
Her sister believed her able to walk; Lilian knew her legs to be lifeless. Suddenly, she no longer felt enjoyment sitting beside the same paddock where she had learned to ride her first pony. She wanted to scream; she was frustrated and tired of this chair. Her sister’s gift had touched her heart, but she felt anguished.
“I will try, later,” she managed to answer with a semblance of civility. “Thank you, Lydia, for such a kind gift.” Restlessness overwhelmed her. “Barney, please bring Danby into his stall. Perhaps I could sit near him and read for a while.”
“Very good, m’lady.” Barney stepped away from the fence and gathered Danby’s halter from the gatepost where the stable-boy had left it.
“I feel as though I have spoilt the day for you, with my gift.” Lydia gently squeezed Lilian’s hand. “I will push you to the stables.” She gave a short whistle. Lilian remembered their persuading Jonathan to teach them, one long-ago summer. “Follow us, Cooper.” Lydia began pushing her sister’s chair. “He is such a clever puppy.” She duly propelled Lilian’s chair into the stall next to Danby and positioned it so that her horse could reach her by leaning his head over the wall. “I will leave this, too,” she added softly, placing the wooden cane near the wall. “It will be here when you are ready to try.” She turned to leave just as Barney walked Danby into his stall.
“Will ye be needing your chestnut, m’lady?” Barney asked, his head craning around the partition to find Lilian. He gave a quick nod toward her new cane. “I will set a hook on the end ’ere, where it can do no ’arm, so as yer cane stays in the same spot for ye, Lady Lilian,” he added.
“Thank you, Barney. No, I shall not be requiring Ginger today. Lilian, I must return to the house. Do not stay too long and take a chill. Mama said she had asked Cook to serve a light lunch
