Netherby Halls

It was at this moment that Sassy slowed the horses and said, “Sophy … the direction you gave me can not be correct. This is not a shortcut to Netherby.”

“You are quite correct. This takes us to Bristol.”

“Sophia, just what are we doing on the road to Bristol?”

“He is leaving—I am sure of it. I must stop him. You do see, don’t you?” cried Miss Delleson, waving her gloved hands forward. “Drive—hurry! We must hurry.”

“See? No, I do not see,” said Sassy, nearly slowing to a stop.

“I must go to him and explain, for he will never approach me again. You do not know Percy. He is hurt and angry and must think me the worst flirt—if he leaves, all will be lost.”

“Sophy—you cannot go to his lodgings! Is that what you mean to do? ’Tis not done and will ruin you.”

“Not if you come with me,” Sophy said on a plea.

“Sophy, think of my position. I can’t go with you,” Sassy exclaimed in shocked accent

s. “Are you mad?”

Sophy’s blurry eyes, wet with tears, pulled on Sassy’s heartstrings. “Please, Sassy. I will go, and I know you won’t let me do so alone. It will be seemly enough if we are together.”

“Nothing will make it seemly. It will call down disgrace on us both if we are seen going into their lodgings.”

“Perhaps,” Sophy said hopefully, “Percy will come outside?”

“That would still entail standing at his front door for all the world to see. Send him round a note. That should do,” Sassy suggested.

“Please, Sassy, you must take me to Percy, and if you do not, I shall jump off this carriage this very instant and walk there!” Miss Delleson threatened with spirit.

Sassy was pleased to find that Sophy’s feelings were so engaged but firmly shook her head with a smile. “No.”

“Sassy! How cruel! …”

“No,” said Sassy staunchly.

* * *

Sassy had meant to stand firm, truly she did, but three things destroyed her resolve.

The first was her kind heart. Sophy’s distress was genuine, and Sassy had no doubt her friend certainly meant to go to Percy’s lodgings even if she had to walk. She could see Sophy’s threat to do just that was completely genuine.

The second thing that moved her was Sophy’s argument that the two of them visiting together, if they were even seen, would be quite above board.

The third thing that added to Sassy’s downfall in the argument was her own youth. She was young enough still to believe that perhaps, in the end, it would all work out. What harm could come of it if they were very discreet? And if there was a problem, perhaps her magic could extricate them.

Thus, Sassy found herself driving her friend in the general direction of Percy’s lodgings, though all the while her better self, her respectable self, told her she was in the wrong of it.

As it happened, Miss Delleson was not exactly sure where Mr. Lutterel’s lodgings were situated. He had told her they had leased a charming cottage on the Northfield Road, but she wasn’t sure just where on the Northfield Road.

At long last, they came upon a cottage whose name, Hastings, Sophy said she was sure Percy had mentioned. It was greatly removed from other homes and town, and this gave Sassy some relief, for at least they might not be seen.

Sassy pulled up to the house and then frowned. “What shall I do with the horses and carriage? We can’t just leave them on the open road.”

“No, but neither one of us should wait here with them either … just pull into the courtyard where there is sure to be a post we can tether them to. Then, as these evergreens are so lovely and tall, we shan’t be seen at all.”

“Sophy, you are quite the little cunning thing, aren’t you?” Sassy remarked with a short laugh.

“When I have to be,” Sophy answered, unabashed.