Sally James Read Free Page A

was all my fault! Or rather the fault of naughty Fifi here. She ran out of the house, you see, and startled the horses. My name is Charlotte Ashley. We've just come to live next door, and Fifi isn't used to town traffic. Oh, I do hope she will be all right!'
    'I am sure she will. But she ought to be kept quiet. Ah, Biddy, thank you. Put the bowl here. Prudence, my dear, I think that Miss Ashley ought to go back home now. They may be puzzled at her absence. I will send for you if I need any further assistance.'
    Prudence, seeing that Netta was recovering her senses, nodded and drew the still agitated and protesting Charlotte out of the room.
    'I feel so very responsible!' she was gasping, and seemed inclined to dissolve once more into tears. Prudence spoke hastily to avert this.
    'It was an accident, you could not help it. I think you should go home now and lie down to calm yourself.'
    'But I should not have a moment's peace until I knew that she was better!'
    'Why don't you call later today and ask how she is?' she suggested, and Charlotte, a smile breaking over her face, nodded eagerly.
    'Yes, I'll do that. Oh, I do hope that we shall be friends. What is your name?'
    'I'm sorry. I'm Prudence Lee, and she is my cousin, Netta Frome. You have just come to town, I believe?'
    'Yes, I've never been before. Mama says it is time Emily – Emma, I mean, and I found husbands,' she confided with a shy smile.
    'Emma? Is she your sister?'
    'No, I've no brothers or sisters, and Mama is not my real mother. She died when I was born. Papa married again two years ago, and Emily – Emma, that is, is Mama's daughter. She is much older than I am, four and twenty. Papa died a year ago,' she added wistfully, and Prudence felt a surge of sympathy for her.
    'My parents died years ago,' she said briskly. 'I am fortunate to live with my aunt and uncle. Now I think you ought to go home in case anyone is wondering where you are, but do come back later when I can tell you how Netta is.'
    Charlotte nodded, and with a shy smile ran down the steps and towards the next house, where she plied the knocker gently. Prudence waited to ensure that she was admitted and then, seeing Doctor Baron approaching in his barouche, waited for him and escorted him to the morning room.
    He examined Netta's head, where the lump was already the size of an egg, and then cheerfully told her that she would be as right as rain in a day or so.
    'But you must take this dose and then stay in bed for today, and I will come and see you again tomorrow before you get up,' he said sternly.
    Netta, unusually pale, smiled and promised to be a model patient. Charles was summoned to carry her upstairs, and Prudence went with her to administer the medicine, tuck her up in bed, and sit with her until she dropped into a doze.
    By this time Lady Frome had been informed by her excited maid of the calamity, and declaring the news had disturbed her too much for her to stir out of bed that day, was demanding Prudence's presence in order to hear how it had occurred.
    'Charlotte Ashley!' she exclaimed. 'I wonder if it can be Lady Mottesford who has taken the house? Ashley is her name. Did the child mention her family?'
    'She said her parents were both dead, her papa a year since, and that he married again two years ago,' Prudence said.
    'It certainly sounds like them. I wonder what Lady Mottesford is like? No one knows anything about her, where she comes from, or what family. I suppose I must call on her when I am able to get about. How tedious. Now go and see how my poor Netta is, dear Prudence. I must rest, it has been so agitating.'
    Two hours later Charlotte reappeared, full of renewed apologies, to ask how Netta was. When Prudence told her Netta was still asleep, she was clearly not reassured, and her lamentations were beginning to try Prudence's patience. It was with relief that she heard Tanner announcing Sarah and Mrs Buxton had called, and remembered her promise to walk in the Park with