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Ed wrist “What is it, dearest?”

She didn’t want to speak the words and they staravely ill She has succumbed to a terrible fever… quite delirious Papa has told o there in all haste They fear she will not survive the night” At the last words, her voice broke and tears trickled down her cheeks “I an to

slip between her fingers

Ed are”

“Sir,” said the exhausted horse patiently a few feet away “The turnpike is barely passable The storm has washed most of it away The tops of the moor are especially bad I fear any wheels would becoled on the horse path”

Eder, instructing him to seek out the kitchens for warm food

“I s of the courier Her mother needed her!

Edmund frowned “It is not possible by coach”

“Then I shall ride,” said Alice with increasing determination She had to find a way to reach her mother “My lessons are over I can take my mare over the Peaks myself”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he retorted quickly “That fit young th to make such a journey You could easily be thrown by the horse”

“It is not far,” She turned to face her husband “Ten miles by the most direct route I can ride such a distance” She knew she lied The distance see she had ridden previously How she wished she could fly immediately to her mama’s bedside

“No, Alice” He shook his head as she paced up and down the entrance hall “I must keep you safe—”

“My lared at him disbelief “Do you not understand? I have to be with her She needs me and you cannot stop me—”

“I can and I will” He reached out to grab her ar and stern, ensnared her along with his restraining grip “Your well-being is everything to o on your own I shall ride you over the Peaks to your mother”

Alice froze in her struggling “But you said the carriage—”