Thirty-SevenAfter Sebastian left to warn Cressida’s brother-in-law of the danger that threatened, Isabella couldn’t settle to anything. She tried learning some new songs Pania had passed on to her, but gave up in frustration after half an hour. Her throat felt scratchy and the notes didn’t sound right. She thought about making some pancakes but there wasn’t enough flour left in the bins — the cook must be out getting new supplies now.
She prowled her mother’s drawing room like an outdoor cat that’s shut up inside, standing and looking out windows with a funny distant feeling she couldn’t define, as if she’d lost something and couldn’t remember what it was. Rosie was out visiting friends. When Huldah arrived home in the late afternoon she was pleased to see her, she was so thoroughly sick
