A few moments later, Sophia’s nose began to twitch, and her throat began to catch. What was that awful smell?
Through water-filled, stinging eyes and a haze of smoke, she saw the burning feather being held under her nose.
‘There, there. Stay still a moment, dear, until your head settles,’ came Emmaline’s soothing voice. ‘It’s my fault for bringing you out too early. You’ve not got a strong constitution, have you, Sophia?’
Guilt swept through Sophia at these words. She had felt faint, but she was nowhere near as frail as Emmaline believed.
A maid’s head bobbed over Emmaline’s shoulder. ‘Is she all right now, ma’am? Do you still need me to fetch the hartshorn?’
Emmaline shooed the maid away. ‘No, I think we will be quite all right now, thank you, although I have ruined a perfectly good hat.’
Sophia groaned at the trouble her subterfuge was causing.
Mistaking the reason, Emmaline chuckled and said in a bracing tone, ‘Come along, Sophia. It was my poor attempt at a jest. Feathers are easy to come by – good companions are not.’ She squinted down at Sophia, a frown creasing her brow. ‘But we must get you home. I knew I should have dosed you with more Daffy’s elixir. You’re still not quite recovered, are you?’
‘Is the young lady feeling better?’ a horribly familiar husky voice inquired from across the room, sending Sophia’s insides curling in terror.
Emmaline stood up. ‘Admiral, I’m afraid I must take Sophia home. I think our little venture today was too much for her, as she is not quite recovered from her recent illness. I’m sorry to leave you so abruptly, Mrs Harris, but needs must, as you’ll agree.’
‘Of course, my dear.’ It was the admiral who spoke. ‘I’ll go and call the carriage.’
A rustling of silk was heard, and Sophia peered at the face looming above her. The woman was definitely Ruth Newbody, but Emmaline had called her Mrs Harris. Their eyes locked.
‘She does look rather under the weather.’ Mrs Newbody’s mouth curled up into a smile, but her glittering eyes remained hard. ‘I hope you feel better soon, my dear.’ She turned to Emmaline. ‘Such a pity. I was so pleased when Admiral Pridham invited me to join you. We spent such a short time conversing the other evening, and I was hoping to get to know you better.’
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