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Mrs Royle was clearly conflicted, but finally she gave a nod and said, "Followdesk in an alcove down the hall She took out paper, pen, and ink and stepped aside so that Honoria could sit down But Honoria’s fingers were nurip the pen And her hair would surely drip all over the paper

Sarah stepped forward "Would you like ratefully and told Sarah exactly what to write, all the while trying to ignore Mrs Royle, as hovering behind her, interrupting every so often hat she thought were helpful coned Honoria’s name, and then, at Honoria’s nod, handed it to Mrs Royle

"Please send it with your swiftest rider," Honoria begged

Mrs Royle took it and hurried off Sarah immediately stood and took her cousin by the hand "You need to get warm," she said in a voice that brooked no protest "You’re coht now I already told a maid to heat water for a bath"

Honoria nodded She had done what she needed to do Now she could finally collapse

The following ly clear Honoria had slept for twelve hours straight, bundled under quilts, with a hot brick at her feet Sarah had crept into her room at some point to tell her that they’d received word from Fensmore; Marcus had arrived safely at home and was probably in his own bed, with his own hot brick at his feet

But as Honoria got dressed, she was still worried She had been utterly frozen by the time she’d reached Bricstan, and he had been out in the rain for far longer than she had It had been windy, too; she’d heard the trees rustling and creaking through her hen she’d been taking her bath Marcus would alht a chill And what if his ankle was not eon already to set it? Would they have known to do so?

And ere "they," anyway? Marcus had no family that she knew of Who would care for him if he took ill? Was there anyone at Fens to have to check on his welfare She wouldn’t be able to live with herself otherwise

Down at breakfast, the other guests were surprised to see her The gentleathered around the table, eating their coddled eggs and toast

"Honoria!" Sarah exclai out of bed?"

"I’m perfectly well," Honoria assured her "I haven’t even a sniffle"

"Her fingers were like icicles last night," Sarah said to Cecily and Iris "She could not even grip a pen"

"It was nothing that a hot bath and a good night’s sleep could not cure," Honoria said "But I would like to travel to Fens It was my fault that Lord Chatteris twisted his ankle, and I really do feel I must check on him"

"Hoas it your fault?" Iris asked

Honoria nearly bit her lip She’d forgotten that that was one of the , really," she improvised "I tripped over a tree root and he stepped forward to steady me He must have stepped in a mole hole"