A Rose Between the Thornes Read Online Free PDF Page B

suddenly, waving a missive in her hands. “There is some problem at Midwood, I will need to go down.”
    Hermione looked up from her own post, a smile of satisfaction on her lips. As both her men had been conspicuous in their absence these last few days, Sophia could only surmise the epistle was from them. “Do you wish me to accompany you?” Hermione enquired. “If so it could not happen until next week. Berry and Ran will be home tomorrow, and I am promised to Lady Magdalen’s this night.”
    Sophia shook her head. “No need, my love, I’ll arrange to set off immediately and it seems I should plan to be away for a week or two. I will leave Blue here if I may? She is not a good traveler as you know and May or Jenkins will spoil her, as will you.” She put her letter down, and picked up her cup of chocolate, careful not to ask the question hovering on her lips. Had the watchdogs backed off? However, it seemed Hermione had understood for she smiled, her eyes showing sympathy.
    “I will speak to them again,” she promised. “And ask them to temper their warning. Perhaps they will be more amenable when you return. Nevertheless, Aunt, you know them, if they feel it is not in your best interest, whatever you or I say, they will do nothing, except perhaps reiterate their threats. For we all decided nothing we do must reflect badly upon you.”
    That, Sophia surmised gloomily, was what she feared. If she was honest, she knew the protection of those two gentlemen was beyond price. Although she felt well able to care for herself generally, the fact Berry and Ran were her champions did keep most rogues at a distance.
    She had a fleeting thought regarding two specific rogues. It was to her surprise she had not heard from either gentlemen since loosing her bet three nights before. She did not imagine for one minute they had forgotten about it, or intended to let it slide; indeed, she rather assumed they were plotting and planning. Playing cat and mouse with her. Let them. She had other things to think about. To whit, a problem regarding, she squinted at the letter—the handwriting of her father, Lodden, seemed to have deteriorated—the wood, west, waste, wing, willow? There seemed to be some confusion, letters scored out written over and illegible. Whatever it was, her presence was requested at her earliest convenience, and required for, seminal, several, or seven weeks. Or something else? She had no idea.
    “Ah well,” she said with a sigh. “As I have a need to repair to Midwood and see to this matter that requires my urgent presence there, retraction will happily wait until I return, hopefully not too far hence.” She thought briefly. “I will arrange to set out as soon as my carriage can be readied, stop on the way for luncheon, and I should arrive before dark.”
    Hermione nodded. “Wish you I send word to Midwood to warn them of your arrival?”
    Sophia shook her head. “No need. Lodden has said he has taken it upon himself to apprise the household staff of my impending visit. All will be ready.” She stood up. “I had better prepare.”
    Her preparations took a severe jolt when her personal maid was nowhere to be found. On ringing the bell, which was answered by a flustered young tweeny, her query was answered with a despairing wail of, “Oh my lady, she has the toothache. Mrs. Jenkins has sent her to see Mr. Crawford, the dentist.”
    Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, entered the room hard on the heels of the housemaid and dismissed her with a wave of the hand. “Now Milly, off you go. I’ll speak to her ladyship.” She waited until the young girl had left and turned to Sophia. “’Tis true my lady, I felt it best to send her immediately, she was in great pain. May I help?”
    Sophia pondered. What should she do? “No,” she said decisively. Midwood was but a few hours drive, everything she needed was there, and there were maids aplenty to attend to her. She ignored the niggle at the back of her mind