Read Langdown Manor for Free Online Page B

to change the subject. ‘So how was your day? Did you see Fred?’
    â€˜Yes, I saw Fred – and he told me that he’d found Miss Penelope a horse to ride and he was sure she was a game one. More than I’ve learned from you!’
    â€˜He shouldn’t go gossiping,’ I said – more sharply than I’d intended. But hadn’t I done just that, yesterday in the maids’ sitting room?
    â€˜He’s my sweetheart, Jess. He can say what he likes to me!’
    I felt the reproof. But I can’t to you, not now.
    â€˜Sarah, I—’
    â€˜You don’t talk to me like you did,’ Sarah interrupted. ‘You don’t even sound like you. You sound … like … like an upper servant.’ She made it sound like an insult.
    I could hear snores from the bed by the window. Good. Ellen was fast asleep. One less person I could offend then.
    â€˜That’s unkind of you, Sarah,’ I said. ‘Anyway, I’m not, not really.’ I was neither one thing nor the other. It hadn’t been my choice.
    â€˜I know, I’m sorry, Jess.’
    â€˜What’s bothering you, Sarah?’ I might not be able to see her face in the dark, but I knew Sarah too well for her to be able to hide how she felt from me.
    â€˜I can’t quite explain, but … I suppose I just didn’t like the way Fred spoke about Miss Penelope. And I’ll tell you something else, Jess.’ Sarah spoke as if it was an effort, as if she’d rather not have to say what she was about to say. As if speaking her fears aloud would make them real. Though what fears she could have I couldn’t imagine. But she had them all right; I could hear it in her voice. ‘He called her Polly,’ she said in a rush.
    â€˜He must have made a mistake.’
    â€˜So you think that’s all it is?’ I could hear how desperately she wanted to be reassured.
    â€˜ ’Course, Sarah, what else could it be? Polly. Penelope. They don’t even sound the same,’ I said. I felt a bit confused. I didn’t understand how it mattered. I propped myself up on an elbow and faced the dark outline I could see in the bed next to mine.
    â€˜What if it’s not a mistake? What if it’s … what if he likes her?’ Sarah sounded miserable. So that was what this was all about.
    â€˜Because he couldn’t remember her name? Now you’re being daft!’
    â€˜No, because of what he said earlier. Oh, I don’t know. She’s pretty, and she likes horses.’ I heard a sob.
    â€˜Sarah! Fred’s a stable hand and Miss Penelope is her ladyship’s niece. What could there possibly be between them?’ I couldn’t believe my ears. None of what Sarah was saying made any sense.
    Sarah gave another sob. It was too much for me. I hated it when anyone cried, especially if it was my best friend.
    I got out of bed and tiptoed over to Sarah’s. The floor was icy. A fire was only lit in our bedroom if one of us was sick. I hopped from foot to foot. ‘Can I get in?’ I said. Sarah sniffed. I took that as a yes and slipped in beside her.
    â€˜Your toes are cold,’ she said. I drew them up under my nightgown. Sarah was still sniffing.
    â€˜Where’s your hanky?’ I said. I felt like her mother.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Sarah said.
    â€˜Have mine then.’ I held it out to her. Sarah could never find her handkerchief. Her fingers took it from me.
    â€˜Thanks, Jess,’ she said, wiping her eyes.
    â€˜Sarah,’ I said. ‘Miss Penelope is lonely here, she’s far away from her family, she likes horses and she chatted to one of the boys who looks after them. And that’s all. What more could there possibly be between his lordship’s niece and a stable hand?’ How many times did I have to say it?
    â€˜Nothing – but you can’t help your feelings, can you?’
    â€˜I’m sure you’re