Free Sorcery & Cecelia: Or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Collins Wrede Page B

the least need), and paid her a great many compliments, which were positively  fulsome. I would have said something, I am sure, if I had not noticed Miranda Griscomb watching him closely with her hard little eyes. Upon reflection, I think she found his behavior quite as suspicious as I, though she cannot have known that he has not previously been among Dorothea’s admirers. I can only wonder if that is why she decided to remain at Tarleton Hall. In any case, I am glad I did not express my surprise. For no matter how bad James Tarleton may be, Miranda Griscomb is clearly much worse , and I should not like to be of any assistance whatever to her. Also, it seems to me quite likely that if I had said anything about James Tarleton’s peculiar behavior, he would certainly have taken it as added evidence that I am in league with Miranda.
    I was so absorbed in these considerations that I did not realize my teacup was empty until Mrs. Griscomb leaned over to me and said, “Will you take some more tea, Miss Rushton?”
    “No, thank you,” I said quickly. James Tarleton gave me a sharp look, and Miranda stared at me in an odd, speculative way, so I added, “I really must be going. Aunt Elizabeth will be expecting me.”
    Mrs. Griscomb accepted that and turned back to her conversation with Lady T., but Mr. Tarleton’s eyes narrowed. I could feel him watching me as I took my leave of Lady Tarleton and Dorothea; it was very uncomfortable.
    After I returned home, I thought about that tea for a considerable while. The only conclusions I came to are that I do not like Miranda Griscomb, and that it is positively odious of James Tarleton to think that I am in league with her. And, of course, that something will have to be done for poor Dorothea.
    I told Aunt Elizabeth that I had the headache, and went upstairs to finish that book on charm-bags that I took from Sir Hilary’s library. It is far more complicated than I had suspected, and I have quite given up on discovering what sort of charm-bag it was that Mary found in Oliver’s room. I have, however, hit upon the idea of making up a charm-bag or two of my own (do not fret, Kate, for I intend to experiment only with the protective spells, and I will test everything on Canniba first). With Miranda Griscomb about, I feel the need for some protection.

14 May
    Your letter regarding Oliver just arrived. I can only hope that you have had news of him by now, because he is certainly not at Rushton! I came very near to telling Papa the whole, for it seems to me that Oliver’s disappearance is far too serious to hide, but as it turned out I did not have to say anything. Aunt Charlotte wrote Aunt Elizabeth a letter, which arrived at the same time as yours, desiring her to have Oliver bring her white work to Town when he returns. Aunt Elizabeth, of course, went straight to Papa, demanding to know where Oliver was and what she was to tell Aunt Charlotte. Papa, when he finally understood, simply laughed and said that Oliver has probably gone to see a cockfight or some such thing, and that he is old enough not to be hovered over by a pair of aunts.
    This put Aunt Elizabeth quite out of countenance, and she went off in a huff to write to Aunt Charlotte. Under the circumstances, I decided not to add anything, for once Papa gets an idea in his head it is impossible to dislodge it. If he has decided that Oliver has gone to some disreputable sporting event, nothing will persuade him that it is more serious than that, unless Oliver remains missing. But if you do not have word of him in your next letter, I must tell Papa everything. Write soon and tell me he is safe! He may be the most provoking, tedious, goose-witted brother in the world, but he is the only one I have, and I should hate for anything dreadful to happen to him.
    Miranda and Dorothea left for London yesterday. I rode over to Tarleton Hall to see Dorothea off, and I very nearly did not make it in time. My mare stumbled badly at the bottom of