She rubbed her ring and whispered, “Open.” The lid flipped back gently, and Sassy scooped up the small leather satchel hidden within.
“Now,” Sassy said, still speaking to herself in a whisper, “we shall see.” However, it was at this point that Sassy heard a sound outside and went to her window, only half-shielded by the first panel she had sewn and put up earlier.
As soon as she looked out her window, she immediately withdrew and placed herself flat against the wall. Then, bent low and in a crouched position, she blew out the candles on the sideboard table.
Hurriedly she straightened slightly and looked out the window. Intruders, two, she thought. It wasn’t clear, as the light was that of only a half moon, but one of the men boldly carried a lantern, and she focused on his movements. He was enswathed in dark clothing—but, faith, what was that on his head? A turban? Was he wearing a turban? That didn’t make sense.
The other man had his back to her, but he appeared tall and well built. He wore a dark coat and an old-fashioned tri-cornered hat.
Three of them—there were three of them! What did they want? Why were they here? She could think of nothing that had any great value at the school. Yet, they had the look of thieves!
Hastily she slid into her slippers and tied her serviceable wrapper tightly around herself before making a mad dash for the stairs.
She reached the first-floor landing and nearly skidded to a halt, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle any sound. Disbelief suddenly took command of her senses, and she gave way to her wobbly knees and crouched in the dark, flat up against the banister.
The iniquitous sight that had sent her into such a state was that of Miss Sallstone, appearing fully awake, holding a glass-encased lighted candle and opening the doors wide with a welcoming whisper.
Shocked, Sassy watched the woman usher in the three men, one of whom one looked to be a brute with an untrimmed beard, swarthy and crude-featured.
Miss Sallstone invited these blackguards into the school … and then she led them to her private quarters across the hall.
What the deuce was going on? Unconsciously she rubbed her ring, and a voice, her mother’s, whispered in her ear, Evil, my daughter. It permeates the air at Netherby. Be careful.
* * *
Lessons went well, although Sassy had a difficult time concentrating. Her mind flitted between thoughts of the marquis and of the elusive mystery surrounding the headmistress and the men she had invited into her private quarters. What was it all about? Just what was the woman doing entertaining such men at a school for young ladies—and in the middle of the night?
But the question remained: what could she do? Were the girls in any danger? Something
inside told her they were. The answer was clear: she would have to keep a silent watch, at least until she could discover more.
After all, she saw nothing amiss—other than the impropriety of entertaining questionable gentlemen so late into the night.
After lunch her students went, according to their schedule, to their music class. Sassy wandered toward her favorite woodland path. She hadn’t gone far when the handsome Dr. James appeared and detained her.
“Miss Winthrop, how good you are to me,” he remarked happily as he approached her with a wide, boyish grin that lit up his attractive face.
She smiled in response. “How so?”
“I was just wondering where I might find you during the girls’ music lesson, and out you stroll right before my adoring eyes.” He gave her a slight bow. “And may I tell you how lovely you are in sunlight. Very few maids can have such a thing said about them, you know.”
It flitted through her brain that the good doctor seemed to know a great deal about her students’ schedule, and that struck her as odd. However, he was amusing, and she laughed shortly and said, “Dr. Bankes, you rush at me at a most blinding speed. Really, sir, you give me no opportunity to reprimand you, as you justly deserve.”
“Whatever do you mean?” he answered, grinning broadly.
“You throw your delicious compliments at me so quickly that if I am not careful, you shall turn my head,” she bantered.
He laughed. “But I object, it is not a compliment, it is truth, m’girl—truth!”
“’Tis nonsense. Gratifying, but nonsense, all the same.” She started walking once more, and he fell into step beside her.
“Then nonsense is what you must hear as long as I have breath,” he returned gallantly.
She laughed out loud. “Now that sounds plain silly.”
“Yes, yes, it does,” he agreed, reaching for and obtaining her gloved hand. He brushed her bare wrist with a quick kiss and said, “I have come to ask a favor.”
“Aha, so, there was a purpose to your compliments.” She arched a playful look at him.