Read Always Emily for Free Online Page B

through her cotton nightdress.
    Emily stared at the brilliant stars, clearly visible in the clean, crisp night air. Her attention was captured closer to earth when she saw a light flicker across the moor.
    â€œWho would be out at this hour?” Eyes trained on the light, she headed across the moor once again. If her sister Charlotte were here, she would be tugging on her sleeve to lead Emily back to the safety of the beaten path. Tabby would warn Emily of the hazards of following a will-o’-the-wisp, whispering tales of travelers being led fatally astray by malicious spirits. And Father? He would worry about humanvillains. Emily thought it was just as well none of them was here, because she saw only the possibility of adventure.
    Without the full moon, even Emily would not have been able to navigate the boulders and bracken littering the moor like a giant’s abandoned toys. As she closed in on the light, Emily saw it was a small campfire in a hollow tucked underneath the shelter of a small bluff, sparks flying into a pool of darkness beyond.
    Careful to keep her steps soundless, Emily crept closer. Suddenly an enormous creature leapt in front of Emily. She cried out and stumbled back, falling heavily to the ground. The beast growled deep in its throat, louder than her beating heart.
    It was a dog, a mastiff, easily outweighing Emily. His huge fangs glistened and his eyes glowed red from the fire’s reflection. Trembling from head to toe, she forced herself to be perfectly still.
    â€œGently, boy,” Emily whispered.
    Slowly she got to her knees, keeping a close eye on the animal. Careful not to make eye contact, knowing this would seem like a challenge, Emily reached out a hand, palm first. He bared his teeth and growled again.
    â€œShh, boy, I’m no danger to you,” Emily said in her most soothing voice. She kept her hand extended. The dog sniffed, and after a moment to consider, he licked her palm. Emily stroked his nose. He nuzzled against her, almost knocking her over with his bulk. Fondling the sagging skin around hisneck and jowls, she whispered, “Good boy, I know we’ll be friends.”
    The dog barked. Emily shushed him, but then, tail wagging, the dog barked louder. The noise rolled along the moors, echoing in the darkness.
    â€œWho’s there?” A man’s voice called out. On the far side of the fire, Emily saw a silhouette in a long cloak.
    â€œShow yourself!” he shouted.
    Emily might have spoken up, but then she heard the unmistakable click of a cocking pistol. Without another moment’s hesitation, she scrambled to her feet and fled. The dog didn’t follow but set up a fusillade of barking. With no time to pick out the best path, Emily tripped and stumbled in the underbrush.
    â€œStop,” yelled the man.
    Emily ran. The prickly gorse caught her nightdress and held her back. Emily thrashed at the sharp bushes until she could tear herself free. She saw the hill leading back to the parsonage and she pushed herself to run faster.
    Her eyes fixed on the slope, she didn’t see the hollow in the ground at her feet. She fell headlong, knocking the breath from her body. She listened, struggling to hear over her labored breathing.
    There. Emily heard the sound of footsteps, distant enough, but still coming toward her. A thud and a muffled curse told Emily her pursuer was suffering from the whims of the moor, just as she was.
    She got to her feet and mustered all her strength for the final hill. At the crest, she looked down to see the parsonage ahead, beckoning her to safety. Behind her, the stranger was just starting to race up the hill. He wasn’t far behind.
    Emily flung herself down the hill until she reached the parsonage gate. Her fingers fumbled as she undid the gate’s latch, but at last it was open and she practically fell into the garden. She only had to shout and Father would rescue her. She peered through the gate, but saw no sign