as Leveret knew only too well. She’d respect her mother far more if she did something about Magpie’s awful situation, which had been going on for far too long.
‘Besides, Jay lives up at the Hall now,’ said Maizie. ‘You’d do well to concentrate on your own behaviour rather than telling tales about his. You’ve always been too fond of moaning on about others’ wrongdoings. Your brothers, for instance. The number of times you’ve come to me complaining about a whole cloud of nothing! ‘Tis one of your shortcomings, Leveret, being a little tell-tale-tit, and I’m sick of it. I always— Oh look, there’s Sylvie!’
Up ahead where the paved track turned into the gravel drive to the Hall they saw a tall, slim figure walking in the same direction. Leveret’s heart sank.
‘Blessings!’ called Maizie, quickening her step. Sylvie stopped and turned, her pale face slipping into a smile as she waited for them to catch up. Leveret watched her, noting the droop of her shoulders and the shadows under her eyes. The morning after the Moon Fullness was often an anti-climax, a first step towards the waning of the moon and the Dark Moon two weeks later. But she sensed that there was something more than that bothering her sister-in-law.
She was as beautiful as ever, her hair like polished silk and her skin as flawless as alabaster. Her eyes were like a wolf’s, silver with darker edges to the irises. Every feature was exquisitely perfect and refined. Two children hadn’t spoiled her slim body; she moved with the grace and elegance of a dancer. Yet something was not right. Leveret stared from beneath her dark curls, knowing that as ever Sylvie would barely notice her. It was one of several reasons why she disliked her brother’s wife.
‘Good morning, Mother Maizie. Leveret. You’re late today!’ she said brightly as they all fell into step together. ‘I’ve just taken Celandine and Bluebell to the Nursery and they’re all off to the woods in a minute to search for cobnuts and squirrels and giant puffballs. I wish I’d joined them. They were so happy and excited.’
‘Bless them! Just like Yul at their age, always wanting to play in the woods. How’s my son today?’
A shadow passed over Sylvie’s face.
‘I haven’t seen him yet. He went for an early morning ride I think, and wasn’t back in time for breakfast with us. The girls weren’t impressed but he often misses joining us for breakfast. It’s just the wrong time to fit in with his day, and the girls can take so long in the mornings. But I’m hoping to see him when I get back.’
‘You know there’s a meeting this morning? I’m late,’ said Maizie, ‘and I hope he won’t be annoyed. We’ve a visitor from the Outside World today, coming to talk to us about the Nursery. Put us right, I suppose! Hasn’t Yul asked you to come? I know Miranda’ll be there.’
Sylvie looked a little non-plussed but smiled anyway. Leveret noticed the small lines around her mouth.
‘Oh, I expect he mentioned it but you know how forgetful I am. Why are you so late this morning? It’s not like you to oversleep.’
Maizie jerked her head angrily at her daughter.
‘This young maid’s fault! Not only was she out gallivanting in the woods till close on midnight last night, but then she disappeared this morning as well. She’s out of hand and I’m going to ask Yul to deal with her.’
Sylvie flicked a glance at her young sister-in-law but quickly looked away. The sullen girl with dark curls and fathomless green eyes disturbed her. She’d always felt uncomfortable with Leveret who’d openly disliked her from a very young age.
‘Oh no – is that really necessary, Maizie?’ she said quickly. ‘He’s exhausted as usual although he won’t admit it, and he’s so very busy at the moment.’
‘Well, I’ll see, but something must be done. This girl shows no respect for me at all and I can’t trust her alone for a second. I don’t know what to do with her.’
‘Couldn’t she go to Rosie when you’re busy?’
‘Aye, but Rosie’s got her own family to think about and Robin won’t want this darkling sitting under his nose every night upsetting his little ones, will he?’
‘What about your younger boys? Maybe they could babysit for you?’
The look Leveret gave her was pure venom.
‘That’s not such a bad idea,’ said Maizie slowly. ‘’Tis only since Sweyn and Gefrin’ve started boarding at the Hall that she’s got so bad. They