Free Miss Farrow's Feathers by Susan Gee Heino

far as Glenwick Downs. I can't possibly prevail on you to put yourself out for such a distance on my account."
    But it seemed her argument had the opposite effect as she'd hoped.
    "What, so far out of town?" Mr. Shirley exclaimed. "Then I flatly insist, Miss Farrow. You must let me accompany you."
    "Most definitely!" Papa said. "And you should take the carriage. It is worth it in this instance, my dear. "
    She frantic ly searched for a way out. "But Papa... it's such an imposition for Mr. Shirley and... and you know how timid Miss Bent has gotten in her old age. Just think what a fright it might be to have a carriage arrive with a strange gentleman."
    Papa countered easily. "But you would be there to reassure her, my dear."
    If she had been a child she would have stamped her foot a nd pouted. As it was, she had to settle for a disappointed frown.
    "I don't know, Papa. Perhaps I should not go."
    Drat. She could hardly not go, so it appeared she truly would have to sneak away. Perhaps she could claim a headache and retire to her room early. Would Papa discover her gone if she then tiptoed away? Would he even believe a headache story after she made such a fuss about leaving? Likely not. She wasn't sure what she could do.
    "But you must go," Mr. Shirley said. "I can see your concern for your friend and you are to be commended for it. Surely you will not rest well if you have not looked in on her."
    "Yes, but—"
    "But you are concerned my presence will upset the frail old dear. Yes, I can very well understand that. I am a stranger here, after all. But she lives out of the village, you say? Is it, perhaps, in the direction of the posting house?"
    Meg wasn't sure of his intent, but she nodded in confirmation. "Yes, it is, actually. Just a slight ways beyond."
    "Excellent. Then perhaps, if your father agrees, I could ride with you that far and you could drop me off at the posting house. I have some letters I should send and can post them from there. Perhaps the distance from there to Miss Bent's house is not too great and your father will not worry of you traveling alone. When you are done, you can simply retrieve me on your return."
    Meg was a bit dubious of this suggestion, but Papa latched right onto it.
    "Capital! Indeed, a most excellent solution, Mr. Shirley. You are resourceful, indeed. Don't you agree, Meggie?"
    "Indeed, it does seem to suit all our needs..."
    "Then it is settled," Papa said. "Thank you, Mr. Shirley. I'll send for the carriage immediately and I suggest you set off right away, the sooner the better, to make use of what daylight there is."
    "But you know how Miss Bent likes to talk, Papa," Meg said, giving one last half-hearted effort at dissuading Mr. Shirley. "I could be there quite a while."
    "No need to worry on my account," Mr. Shirley said. "I've got a book I can bring. Once my letters are done, if you are not back, I can read. Feel free to take your time. Even if after dark, you'll be quite safe with me, Miss Farrow. "
    "Wonderful!" Papa exclaimed, giving Meg no opportunity to quarrel.
    "Fear not, Miss Farrow," Mr. Shirley said with a dashing grin. "I'm an excellent watch dog, you'll find."
    Drat him, but that's what she was afraid of.
     

Chapter 7
    His companion was uneasy. Just as he hoped. She was perched nervously beside him in her father's carriage—which turned out to be nothing more than a very modest gig—and her apprehension was palpable. Max was going to enjoy this little drive.
    “You’ll tell me the way I should go, won’t you?” he asked, although he knew it quite well. “You are much more knowledgeable about it than I am, and I’d hate to proceed in the wrong direction.”
    “I doubt that will happen. There is but one road leading north out of Richington.”
    “Yes, but if you’re not on alert, I might go too far, Miss Farrow.”
    He watched her expression, wondering if she noticed he intentionally chose phrasing that could have been interpreted more than one way. Amazingly, s