Free Betrayal by Gillian Shields Page A

understand that your grandmother’s funeral took place over the holidays,” she said, quiet and grave as usual. “Death is very hard for the young. Let me know if there is anything we can do.”
    She seemed to look at me with genuine pity in her cool, intelligent eyes. For a moment, her kindness threatened to unnerve me. Part of me wanted to talk to her, tell her all about Frankie, and to be soothed and comforted. I felt confused by the image I’d had of Miss Scratton in my dream, reaching out to grasp the Talisman. It didn’t fit with this apparently concerned teacher who stood in front of me. I forced myself to smile calmly.
    “Thank you. But I’m okay.”
    “I have no doubt of it,” she replied softly. “There is an ancient saying: ‘The heart grieves, but the wise man does not seek out the dead.’ Remember that, Evie. Don’t—”
    Just then, Miss Dalrymple emerged from one of the second-floor rooms, smiling and nodding and dabbing the corner of her mouth with a tiny lace handkerchief. “Going riding, Evie? Splendid! I’m sure Miss Scratton here could give you some good advice. She’s a marvelous horsewoman,quite marvelous.” The fussy, overbearing teacher smirked as she bestowed her compliment. “Indeed, Miss Scratton’s advice on any subject would be invaluable.”
    A flash of irritation seemed to play across Miss Scratton’s narrow features, but she smoothed it away. “What nonsense! I haven’t ridden for years. You’d better get along, Evie. And as I was going to say, don’t run on the stairs.”
    I made my way out of the building and across the stable yard. What had Miss Scratton been about to say? Don’t what? It had nothing to do with running on the stairs, I could have sworn. And how much had Miss Dalrymple overheard? The wise man does not seek out the dead…. Had Miss Scratton been talking about Frankie—or about Sebastian? But that would be impossible, unless—unless what? If she were one of the Dark Sisters and knew about Sebastian she would hardly want to give me advice. I kicked a pebble across the cobbles and shoved my hands in my pockets, deep in thought.
    “Hey!”
    “Oh! I’m so sorry!” I had walked straight into a tall, athletic-looking boy. He was about eighteen years old, with corn-colored hair and an amused expression. I stepped back and drew breath. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you.”
    “It’s okay, no worries.” The boy smiled. “I love beingtreated as though I don’t exist. Invisible man, that’s me.”
    “No, it wasn’t that. I mean, I know who you are,” I babbled. “You’re…um…Josh, aren’t you? And you—”
    “Help out in the stables, yeah. Don’t worry; you can walk into me anytime.”
    I blushed, though I didn’t quite know why. Josh, on the other hand, seemed to be entirely at his ease.
    “Well, I’d better go,” I said idiotically. “Mustn’t be late for my riding lesson.”
    “No,” he said, smiling again. “Well, I hope you enjoy it.”
    “Yeah, thanks.”
    I hurried over to Bonny’s stall and saddled her up with fumbling, inexpert hands. I was surprised that Sarah hadn’t come to help me, but I guessed she would be along soon. Struggling with the last buckle, I finally got the saddle and bridle on and led Bonny out through the yard to the practice paddock that lay beyond it. Sarah was already there, fussing over a quiet gray horse that was tethered to the rails, and talking to Josh.
    Sarah looked happy and animated, and I felt that I had never really seen her so clearly before. I hadn’t realized how pretty she was. With a stab of surprise, I saw that the glow in her eyes was because of Josh, and the next moment blamed myself for having been so stupid as to not noticesomething so important about my best friend.
    At the far side of the paddock Harriet was shivering alone in the cold, looking like a kid who had no one to play with. She had evidently ignored my advice about trying to get to know her classmates. I