Free Twin Willows: A Novel by Kay Cornelius

folded, and reached for Anna’s hand. “No, I really mean it. I’ll never have another friend like you. I hope that you’ll find a good husband.”
    “‘And they married and lived happily ever after,’” Anna quoted. “Don’t you think I could be a happy spinster?”
    Felicia pulled the corners of her mouth down in an approximation of their headmistress’s perennial expression. “If Miss Martin is an example of unwedded bliss, then I would say you’d be better off marrying a warty toad than staying single and becoming like her.”
    Anna made a face. “Ugh! What a choice!”
    “Well, since warty toads often turn into handsome princes, you just might consider it.”
    “I will,” said Anna, but the only man she wanted to wed was neither toad nor prince—and since he had not come back for her Commencement, it appeared that he didn’t return her love. Anna knew she ought not waste her time thinking about Stuart Martin.
    The sound of chimes interrupted the girls’ conversation.
    “Oh, is it the luncheon bell already?” Felicia exclaimed. “This day is passing faster than any I’ve known.”
    “I agree,” Anna said. “Isn’t it strange that everything we’ve done all day is for the last time as Miss Martin’s pupils? The last breakfast, the last luncheon—and tonight, the last dinner.”
    “And if we don’t hurry, perhaps our last scolding,” Felicia said.
    When luncheon ended, Miss Martin formally dismissed the girls and reminded them to be in the hallway promptly at a quarter ’til two o’clock.
    “Miss McKnight, stay here. I would have a word with you.”
    She knows something she hasn’t told me
, Anna thought as the others filed silently from the room. Felicia smiled encouragingly, while some of the others cast her curious glances as if wondering what kind of trouble the half-breed had gotten herself into this time.
    “Your father knew when he left you here that your term would be up today,” Miss Martin began. “Am I correct in assuming that you do not expect him to come for you?”
    “Yes, ma’am, I don’t.” Anna replied to the confusing question.
    “Then I must ask what you intend to do. You know, of course, that you cannot remain here.”
    Anna flushed, but she did not look away. “Yes, ma’am. I plan to travel to Lancaster with Felicia Darby, then go on to my cousins’ home.”
    Miss Martin’s expression did not change, but Anna thought she detected a slight note of relief. “That seems a wise course of action. I feared that you might try to stay in Philadelphia.”
    “Feared?” Anna repeated the word and raised her eyebrow slightly.
    Miss Martin shrugged. “For your own good, of course, Miss McKnight. It is quite unlikely that you could find employment in the city, and I feel obliged to Colonel McKnight to see that you return safely to your family.”
    You needn’t worry that I plan to stay here and lay a trap for your nephew. And even though I dread going back to the farm, it’s far better than staying another day under your roof
. Even on her last day, Anna wouldn’t express her thoughts aloud.
    The headmistress reached into her waist pocket and handed Anna a square of linen into which some coins had been tied. “This should be adequate to pay your way home.”
    “Thank you, Miss Martin. I know that my father will repay you as soon as it is possible.”
    Miss Martin’s cheeks reddened briefly. “That won’t be necessary,” she said gruffly. “He left this sum for just such a purpose. You may be excused, Miss McKnight. The hour grows late.”
    Yes, it does
, Anna thought. She passed the clock and noted with a trace of sadness that it was already after one. Stuart Martin would already have arrived if he were coming for the ceremonies. Although Anna’s mind had accepted that he wouldn’t be there, her heart still hoped that he might. When she knew without any doubt that he wasn’t coming, her accumulated disappointment combined to bring rare tears to her