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These girls were orphans, froe of their lives, she knew that they lacked parental supervision Did they also lack attention from the relatives they did have? What she kneas that they were orphans whose relatives had shipped the school Her heart already ached for them

Her heart already belonged to theer ones responded in kind Sassy’s gaze found one young girl, and for a minute they connected and the child smiled hopefully

“You have already been told that I ae, you are now quite ahead of me, and we cannot let such a situation continue Therefore, if you will take out your paper and pens, and each write down your full nae You see, I shall not only learn your name, but your style of hand as well” Sassy hoped her smile would set them at ease

As she watched them, some hurriedly, write their names, her heart went out to the to Netherby Halls She also believed what she had suspected thewas off here, soical aura was usually passive and cale

~ Eight ~

SASSY DRAPED HER dark blue redingote over her shoulders and slipped her ararden path,drive of Netherby towards the ate

It had been another long, full day, and she needed to collect her thoughts while she still had the late afternoon’s light to walk by Her day with her class had been productive, and she had been thrilled to find irls seemed to like her In fact, she was pleased to ad her short time at Netherby

For the first tie, she felt soh, because after a few days at Netherby she was very nearly certain a mystery enshrouded the place, and thatto think it was ti However, consequences, not always iic One could get addicted She would have to be careful not to turn to it every time she had a problem In addition, she had another worry: when she pushed at the dark pulse with her white ic, it pushed back!

The sound of a s and caused her to jump and put a hand to her chest She turned and found an i man clad in a dark frieze coat

He tipped his silk top hat, exposing a thick crop of sandy-colored hair Even in the dwindling afternoon light, Sassy could see his clear, gray eyes were s warmly at her

“I am sorry—did I startle you?” he inquired

“No need to apologize,” Sassy said with a s attention and didn’t notice anyone about” She eyed him and wondered who he could be

“Ah, but you see, I have been stalking you,” he said teasingly and then laughed easily

Sassy thought the sound war me, sir?”

“Indeed, I confess the whole I was just about to make my tracks to the stables and fetchfancy to deserthome just yet” He bowed briefly “I am Dr James Bankes, at your service, Miss Winthrop”