cheeks. "I wonder why," she said lightly, then lied shamelessly. "I'm afraid Beryl thinks she has powers of precognition. She likes to guess things, but she's rarely correct."
Chart Ashby laid down his knife and fork. "If she guessed Upper Kennet with nothing to go on she got remarkably close. Perhaps you should charge for her services."
"A miss is as good as a mile, as they say," Amy retorted and addressed herself to Harry. "I must thank you again for riding over, sir. And now, will Zephyr be fit for the return journey?"
All three young men appeared to have a choking fit at the name. Amy struggled but then she burst out laughing. "It is ridiculous," she admitted as she wiped away tears. "But she was probably young and speedy once."
"Not with those hocks," said Mr. Cornwallis seriously.
Amy looked at him. "Oh dear, and I'd always consoled myself with the thought of her flighty youth."
Mr. Cornwallis colored and stuffed more fried bread in his mouth.
"Whatever her past," said Harry, "she appears as able as she was yesterday, and I've mended the ribbons. I think you can make it home, but of course we'll escort you to make sure."
"Oh, that's not at all necessary," Amy said. She needed to put the full five miles between herself and Harry Crisp as soon as possible.
"It assuredly is, " he said. "Besides, Corny's fellow, Firkin, did try to get back yesterday and slipped and twisted his leg. He's laid up at his sister's for the next few weeks. We thought we'd ride over to a friend of ours after seeing you safe, see if he can put us up for a day or two while we find a replacement." He winked up at Mrs. Coneybear. "We did ask if we could hire Meg, but her mother won't have it."
Mrs. Coneybear gave a wry smile. "Quite apart from the fact that I need her here, Mr. Crisp, as they say around here, 'tis a foolish shepherd what puts sheep in with wolves."
Meg giggled and flashed a look at Chart Ashby. He made a gesture of mock alarm. "Don't flirt with me, girl. Martin'll tear my arms off!"
"That he will," Meg said saucily and went off on an errand with a laugh and a swing of her hips.
Her mother sighed. "I'll be glad to see that one safely wed. So you'll be away a few days, sirs. I'm sorry to hear about Josh Firkin, but I'm sure I can find you someone if you want me to look."
As they discussed this, Amy messed aimlessly with the remains of the food on her plate, until she realized what she was doing and stopped it. Why did she envy Meg so?
Because Meg was so sure of her place in her family's affections, and in those of her husband-to-be. And doubtless in the Howgarth family, wherever they were.
These days Amy's family seemed to see her only as a taskmaster and a wet blanket, and Jassy, at least, envied her beauty. The future offered little chance of improvement. Either she must continue to bully her family into economy or sell herself to the highest bidder. She could hardly expect a man who bought beauty to have the kind of wholesome warmth Martin showed for Meg. And if she married an older man for his money, his family would surely all hate her.
A hand covered hers. She looked up. It was Harry Crisp. They were alone. She could hear Mrs. Coneybear talking to the other men outside.
"What is it?" he asked seriously. "Do you not feel well?"
Amy pulled her hand away. "I feel perfectly well. Are we ready to go?"
She would have left the kitchen, but he detained her with a gentle hand on her arm. "You are unhappy, Miss de Lacy. I wish you would tell me why. Is it your family?"
Amy had the strangest urge to lean against his broad chest and have all her problems soothed away.
He spoke again. "I couldn't help but think your family were not as concerned as I would expect, Miss de Lacy."
"Don't criticize them," she said sharply, stepping away. "It is as you said. They knew I could take care of myself."
He stiffened and removed his hand. "I'm sure you can, too," he said coolly, "but I would still be concerned if you were out in a storm."
Despite the coolness, there was a message in his eyes which a part of Amy hungered to read but another part knew would be disastrous. "You have