A Most Inconvenient Wish by Eileen Richards

Author:Eileen Richards
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2016-06-09T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Sophia forced herself to focus on the bookcase in front of her as Anne cleaned the wound. It stung so badly she wanted to cry out, but she pressed her lips together to keep silent. She’d never had a high tolerance for pain.

What had possessed Catherine to fire the arrow when she’d seen Sophia in the area of the targets? While no one could have predicted Freddy running into the path of the arrow, Sophia knew Catherine had seen her. The rules were clear: no shots were even to be set up while anyone was in the area. Certainly Catherine had known the rules.

Sophia winced as Anne dabbed brandy on the cut. “Ouch.”

“If I don’t get it clean, it will fester,” Anne said sharply.

Anne’s face was grim, her hands trembling slightly.

“Freddy is all right.”

Anne swallowed. She blinked rapidly to fight back tears. It had been a long time since Sophia had seen her so upset. She wouldn’t fall apart in front of the staff. Sophia glanced at the maid. “You may go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sophia waited until the door closed behind her before speaking again. “It’s a flesh wound, Anne. It is nothing serious.”

Anne bottom lip wobbled. “I know. I can’t imagine what would have happened if Freddy had been hit.”

Sophia covered Anne’s hand with her own and squeezed. “It did not happen. None of us would allow that to happen.”

“Thanks to you, Sophia.” Anne set down the rag and reached for the bandage. She wrapped the fabric around Sophia’s arm before tying it off. “I think this dress can officially be tossed in the rubbish bin. I hope you weren’t too attached to it.”

“It was one of my favorites.” Sophia brushed at her skirts. “I suppose I’ll just have to wander into the village and order another one. I’m sure Nathaniel won’t mind paying this particular bill.”

Anne laughed. “Sophia—”

“Anne. Don’t.” Sophia grasped her hand. “I owe you a huge apology. I’ve been such a brat since we got back from London.”

The look of shock on Anne’s face caused her to chuckle. “I guess you didn’t expect an apology.”

Anne shook her head. “No, I didn’t, but I’ll accept it.”

“I can’t believe how I’ve treated you over the years, all because I was so jealous of you.”

“Why would you be jealous of me?”

Sophia took a long moment to form her words. She had been envious of her sister for so long, she wasn’t sure where to start or how to explain. “It goes back so far I don’t even know where to start.”

“The beginning is usually a good place.”

“My earliest memory of Mama was hearing her tell me to behave more like you.” Sophia winced as she settled her arm more comfortably in the big leather chair.

“Surely that’s not true.”

“Father was worse. I have no talents except for shopping and sarcasm, and perhaps beauty.”

Anne laughed.

Sophia sighed. “You play and sing. You were able to step in as hostess for Papa when Mama died. You took care of us when our brother threw us out.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.