Saddle the Wind Read Online Free PDF Page A

here. Tell her it’s a matter of life and death.’
    The hall clock was striking eleven as Emmie, without her gloves but otherwise dressed and muffled against the cold, let herself out of the house. She could have saved seconds by using the front door and going down the drive but habit survived even such a crisis and she took the long way, leaving by the back door and going across the yard. The snow was driven in such a fury that for a moment it blinded her and took her breath away, but pressing forward she made her way to the narrow door next to the side gates where she drew back the bolt and let herself out. Holding high the lantern she started off along the narrow lane that ran beside the house. She could see no sign of any hoofprints of the mare ridden by James; already the snow had obliterated them.
    At the end of the lane she came out onto Gorse Hill and set off down towards Coates Lane where the row of cottages stood. Reaching the first cottage she hurried around to the back where she saw to her relief that there was a light in the kitchen window. Moving quickly to the scullery door she rapped upon it, making her bare, cold knuckles sting. When no answer came she knocked harder, and then at last she heard the sound of Sarah’s voice calling softly to her from inside:
    ‘Yes? – who is it?’
    ‘It’s me – Emmie – from Mr Savill’s.’
    The door was opened a moment later and Sarah stood there holding a lighted candle and wearing an old coat over her nightdress. ‘Emmie –’ She peered at the girl, frowning. ‘I was just on going to bed. What is it? What’s the matter?’ Without waiting for an answer she beckoned to her to enter. ‘Quick, come on inside.’ Hurriedly kicking the snow from her boots Emmie stepped into the scullery while behind her Sarah closed the door against the wild night. ‘Dear God, Emmie,’ Sarah whispered, ‘what brings you out on a night like this? It’s not fit for man nor beast.’
    ‘Mr Savill’s sent me,’ Emmie cried out, and Sarah raised a hand urging her to speak quietly so as not to wake the children. Bringing her voice down to a whisper, Emmie blurted out the reason for her errand. ‘Oh, you must come, Sarah!’ she finished. ‘Mrs Savill – she looks that bad, I tell you. And none of us knows what to do.’
    Sarah didn’t hesitate but simply said, ‘Come into the warm,’ and turned and led the way from the scullery into the darkened kitchen where the range was giving out the last of its heat. ‘Wait here.’ Moving to the hall door she opened it and hurried out of the room.
    Upstairs in the bedroom she stood above the bedwhere Ollie lay asleep, then leaning down she put her mouth close to his ear and softly called his name.
    ‘Ollie … ?’
    She waited for a second then called his name again and after a moment he opened his eyes and turned to her.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ he said sleepily.
    She held the candle a little higher. ‘I’ve got to go out,’ she said.
    ‘
Go out
?’ He frowned. ‘What’s the time?’
    ‘Getting on for half-eleven.’
    ‘In God’s name, girl, what’re you talking about – go out?’
    ‘I must – now. Mrs Savill’s had an accident and Mr Savill’s sent for me to help till the doctor comes.’ She put the candle-holder on the chair at the bedside and began to take off her nightdress. ‘Just keep an eye on the children till I get back. I’ll try not to be long.’
    ‘The baby,’ Ollie said, ‘– she’ll wake and want to be fed.’
    ‘No, I’ve just fed her. She’ll be all right for a while yet. She’ll sleep soundly if she’s not disturbed.’
    When Sarah had put on her dress and fastened the buttons she stood for a second looking down at the crib in which the baby slept peacefully, blonde hair gleaming dully in the light of the candle. Then, turning away, she moved out of the room and down to the kitchen where Emmie waited, warming her cold hands at the range. There Sarah put on her coat and pulled on