“What’s going on out there?” Sara asked, her eyes opening to look at Adele.

Adele had a troubled look about her. “I don’t know. I’ll go have a look and see that it’s put to a stop.” She slipped out of the room for a moment.

Her voice added to Mr. Well’s. The heavy steps came again; closer this time. They stopped outside Sara’s door, but the door did not open for them. A heavy breathing like that of an animal could be heard just outside her door. Sara sat up in the wash tub, watching the door.

She could see a shadow under the crack at the bottom of the door and it seemed familiar. Then the sound of something heavy struck the wood, making the door shudder in its casing. Sara heard Adele speak to it and it growled a response back at her.

Several more seconds passed, the hall growing silent. Then the shadow retreated, the sound of its steps going back down the hall. Adele emerged back into the room a few seconds after that, a weak smile on her face.

“All has been taken care of. Would you like for me to pick something for you to wear today?”

Sara let Adele wrap her up in a soft towel, keeping her warm while she went to the task of choosing an outfit.

“Where is the Earl?” Sara asked as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I thought I would thank him for his hospitality before I left today.”

Adele dropped the knitted sweater in her hands. “Oh, but you can’t leave today. The storm will surely drive you back. His lordship would be most displeased if you were injured on his estate. You must stay.”