Katie had already jumped up and run toward it when anotherthudand a spray of snow against the glass caused her to duck instinctively. She straightened up cautiously and peered outside. A cry of delight erupted and she turned to her mistress, her voice filled with laughter.
“It’s Mr. Mannerly!”
Sophia’s heart beat faster at once.
“Go and fetch him. Tell him to come inside.” She had already begun to straighten her skirts.
A different sort of thudding emanated from the passage as heavy boots approached. George appeared around the door. His long, black hair—unlike their father’s perfectly manicured look—hung about his face in wild abandon. Sophia wondered if he still occasionally chewed on the ends, as he had done as a boy.
“I say!” he declared. “Your chap gave me quite the start! I was in my room upstairs and botched a letter I was writing. I shall have to begin again.” He held up a hand almost as slender as her own, a smear of ink on the tips of his thumb and forefinger.
“Sorry, George. Tobias meant no harm.”
“Of course not,” her brother answered good-naturedly. “Still, he deserves to be punished. Especially if we have moved on to the familiarity of first names already.” He patted his pockets in an absentminded way. “I wonder where my gloves are?”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do?”
“Well, I clearly can’t get back to my duties until I have shown your young fellow how to throw a snowball properly.” George winked. “Let’s see if he can hit a moving target.”
“Ooo! Can I come too?” squealed a voice behind him. George stepped to the side and revealed young Bess, who was clapping her hands, her plump cheeks glowing with anticipation.
“I don’t see why not,” George replied. “In fact, let’s collect Henry and Adriana to help us man the battle stations.”
“Hey, that’s not fair!” exclaimed Sophia. “You can’t just run off and have fun with Tobias while I’m stuck here in this room. He came to seeme, after all.”
George hesitated. “I’m certain he will spend several hours with you, Fee. Just give us twenty minutes.”
Sophia folded her arms. “Absolutely not! You’re taking me with you.”
Her brother’s expression grew serious. “Come on, Fee, you know we can’t do that. Father would have our hides.”
“He’s not here now,” Sophia retorted stubbornly. “Besides, if you can keep it secret that Tobias came to visit, a snowball fight should be no different.”
“But it is. This could make you ill.”
“George, what is the point of being alive if I’m not actually living?”
Her brother was silent.
“I promise to bundle up warmly.”
No answer.
“If you don’t do this, I shall tell Papa you let me go out in the carriage when it was snowing.”
George’s mouth flew open. “You little horror! I’d forgotten what an absolute tyrant you could be. I see it hasn’t taken you long to return to old habits.”
Sophia grinned triumphantly. “Shall I call a footman, or will you do the honors?”
“I’ll send for a footman,” George grumbled. “Butyouwill sit upon a chair and keep a rug under your feet.”
“Of course,” Sophia answered meekly. “Whatever you say.”
Her brother gave her a look that suggested he wasn’t fooled for a second. “I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of your mischief, Fee. Do be gentle with us. We are out of practice, old girl.”
Sophia sucked in her breath in pretended indignation. “You will pay for that, George!Old girl, indeed! I shall hurl my first snowball at your swollen head.”
“I’m not afraid. You throw like a girl.” George laughed over his shoulder as he strode out of the room.
