Sons of the Wolf by Barbara Michaels

Author:Barbara Michaels [Michaels, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2012-06-29T01:49:17+00:00

Next day

When I awoke this morning, my first thought was of Ada. It seemed heartless of me to have slept at all.

I was slightly surprised to see the connecting door, which I had left ajar, now closed. But that was nothing to my astonishment when, upon trying the handle, I found it would not turn.

I pounded on the door with my fist and shouted to Ada to open. I supposed, naturally, that she had locked me out. She had never done such a thing before, but grief can drive people to strange actions. . . .

As that thought passed through my mind, I grew sick with sudden fear. There was no sound from the next room. I dropped the handle and ran to the table, pulling out its drawer so hurriedly that it came out completely, spilling the contents onto the floor. I dropped to my knees and began sorting through them. Weeks before I had put Ada's drops in that drawer.

The laudanum was there. Of course I never expected it would not be, but . . . ! I put the drops carefully into my reticule. From now on I would carry that bag with me wherever I went.

I went back to the door and lifted my hand to pound again. Then I heard a voice saying my name. It was not Ada's voice; I recognized the tones of the upper housemaid Agatha.

"Miss Harriet?"

"Who else? Let me in at once."

"I canna, miss. I doesn't dare."

"Why not?"

"Mr. Wolfson's orders, miss."

I flew downstairs with my hair unbound and my dressing gown hastily thrown around me. I burst into the library without so much as a knock. As always, the sight of my guardian stilled the complaints that were on the tip of my tongue. His face looked as sad and careworn as I felt.

"I'm sorry you discovered the truth in this manner, Harriet," he said, before I could speak. "I meant to tell you myself. I forgot you would go to her immediately upon arising."

I sank down in the chair he indicated-my usual chair, next to the desk and within reach of his hand. That hand now caressed mine as it lay, trembling, upon my knee.

"Ada is perfectly well," he went on, going at once to the aspect of the situation that concerned me most. "She feels very sorry for herself, of course, but one of the maids is with her at all times, and we will take care that her health does not suffer in the slightest. You must agree, Harriet, that some form of confinement is necessary?"

"I don't see why-"

"Yes, you do; your tender heart is interfering with your considerable intelligence. In her present state of mind Ada is capable of any folly. Would you say that there is no danger of her eloping? I know, I know-you would guard her, be with her constantly. But you cannot sit up all night. Even if she is not contemplating such a scheme, she may try to communicate with that insolent boy.

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