moved a bit closer to me.
âWhat is it?â I asked grumpily. I wasnât pleased that sheâd woken me up. Didnât she know how tired I was every day, and I wasnât sleeping well at night either.
âFredâs worried,â she said. âHe says that Miss Penelope is a handful, worse than his lordshipâs new horse.â Sarah looked desperate. âHe says he came down on her a bit hard. Now heâs afraid sheâll complain. Jess, what if he loses his place?â
âHe wonât, silly,â I said.
âHe might if she complains,â Sarah said darkly.
âShe wonât do that,â I said biting the end off a piece of thread.
Sarah leapt on my words eagerly. âHow do you know?â
I could have bitten my stupid tongue in two.
But her big eyes were fastened on me. I couldnât let her down. âOh, I donât know,â I muttered. âItâs just a feeling I have.â I couldnât explain how I knew. I just did.
âShe told you what happened then?â Sarah probed.
I hated this. This probing and questioning. I felt as if I was being pulled between the two of them, and I didnât like it. âNo, she hasnât, but I know sheâs upset.â Iâd already said more than Iâd meant to. If only Sarah understood how difficult this was for me.
âUpset?â Sarah pounced. âWhy should she be upset?â
I wanted to crawl away somewhere. Whatever I said it would be the wrong thing.
âLook,â I said at last. âLetâs just say I have a hunch that thereâs nothing to worry about.â
To my relief that seemed to satisfy her. I saw a smile peep at me, as if what Iâd said had made the sun come out. âFeeling hungry now?â I asked. âYou didnât eat much dinner. Maddie was upset you didnât finish her rice pudding!â
âI wasnât hungry then,â Sarah mumbled. Her face had flushed pink. How often Iâd wished I had someone of my own, but I wouldnât want to be as much in love as Sarah was. Never ever.
U PSTAIRS
I walked into the stable yard. It was three days since Iâd been there. For three days Iâd grabbed at any excuse to avoid it. Yesterday Iâd shown unusual enthusiasm for piano practice. The day before the weather had been on my side. It wasnât on my side now. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful winterâs day. I tried to reason with myself: I had a choice. I could remain cooped up and miserable in the house, or brave the stables. No report of my bad behaviour had reached Aunt. Clemmie had even told everyone that she had seen me gallop side-saddle. Iâd thought that Aunt would faint! But Uncle had chuckled and said he hoped Iâd join them the next time the Hunt met at Langdown. If I was to do that, I had to get into the saddle again. Iâd have felt better if Iâd had Clemmie, an ally, by my side. But Clemmie had gone to a party at a neighbourâs, and wouldnât be back till dark.
I unlocked the catch on the stable gate. The door to Starshineâs stall was open. As I walked up to it, I could hear Fredâs voice inside, coaxing Starshine out. I wanted to turn and run, but I was too late. Fred had seen me. My cheeks spread with an enormous blush. He touched his cap. âGood afternoon, Miss Penelope,â he said. I bowed my head slightly. Iâd told myself that if I saw him Iâd be polite but distant. I felt my colour begin to subside. Starshine was already saddled and bridled and Fred helped me up. Neither of us said a word. Good. Then we had both reached the same conclusion. We both wanted to get the ride over as soon as possible. Tomorrow Jem could take me out. I couldnât think why I hadnât asked for him today. I patted Starshineâs mane. I had to admit that I had missed her.
Fred swung himself up on to his horse, and we left the yard at a walk. I kept how I
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