Page 84 of Castle of Refuge

Audrey thanked her and rushed down the hall.

Should she tell him about the letter? Maris had ordered her not to. But what could she do? And how dare she threaten Helena and her students! Helena was in Engleford, but where was Maris? Was she here or was she in Engleford? Would she send Umfrey to harm Helena?

O God, what should I do?

The last thing she wanted to do was endanger the children or Helena, or anyone else. How horrible not only to be unable to do something significant with her life but to actually cause harm to innocent people, people who were so dear to her.

She stared down at the paper in her hand. What would Edwin say when she showed it to him? No doubt he would send men to look for Maris. What had Clarice said about the person who had given her the letter?

Audrey hurried back to the schoolroom.

“Clarice!” she called from the doorway, getting the little girl’s attention. She hurried toward Audrey.

“Yes?”

“Clarice, who gave you this note?”

“A boy.”

“Did you know the boy? How old was he?”

“I never saw him before. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, Clarice, of course not. You are a good girl. I just wanted to know about the person who gave you this.”

“He was about John’s age.”

“Who is John?”

“John is my brother and he’s twelve years old.”

“But the boy... what did he say?”

“He said to give this to Audrey, my teacher. He said not to read it. That’s all. Then he turned around and ran away.”

“Where was this?”

“Outside my house. He ran away through the woods.”

“Was anyone else around?”

She shook her head, her eyes wide and her expression fearful.

“Thank you, Clarice. I did not mean to frighten you. All is well.” She gave the little girl a hug, which put a smile back on her face. “You may go back in the room with the other children. I’ll return shortly.”

Clarice went inside. Audrey watched as she started playing a rhyming game with three other little girls. Then Audrey went to the library.

Edwin was sitting by the window in his usual chair, reading something.

“My lord?”

He shook his head. “Edwin. You have to call me Edwin now.”

“Of course. Edwin.”

“What is the matter?”

She hurried over to him. “I hope I am doing the right thing by showing you this. One of my little girls, Clarice, gave me this a minute ago.”