Blossom Time by Joan Smith

Croydon for Miss Rafferty. He was very well pleased with her. She was a sensible girl who thought much as he and Rosalind did on the subject of raising youngsters. During the summer the lessons were confined to the mornings. In this fine weather the afternoons were more likely to be spent in walks and rides and an occasional drive in the afternoon. The long, cold winter would be time enough to get down to serious work. She drove Sukey into Croydon one day in the donkey cart to visit her mama, now Mrs. Simpson, the wife of a retired merchant.
    It was eventually borne in on Dick that Miss Rafferty was dashed pretty. Not an out-and-outer like Annabelle, certainly no fine airs and graces about her, but she had a friendly, open face, warm brown eyes, and a wide smile.
    The next few days passed with no major catastrophe. Annabelle called each day at Apple Hill to discuss plans for her rout party with Rosalind. It was clear that it was to be the grandest do ever held in Croydon. Half a dozen musicians had been hired, a new gown made up in a hurry, a new coiffure arranged, and a pastry chef imported from London for the occasion.
    Annabelle made a point of speaking to Miss Rafferty each time she was at Apple Hill. On her last visit, the day before Sylvester’s return, she found a complaint.
    “You were seen in Croydon yesterday, Miss Rafferty,” she said, in an accusing way.
    “Yes, ma’am. I took Sukey to visit my mama.”
    “I’m not sure that was wise. You are paid to teach Miss Susan, not entertain yourself.”
    “My mama was feeling poorly. I felt I ought to visit her, and since she is so close . . .”
    “There is nothing amiss in that,” Dick said at once. “Miss Rafferty asked my permission before going.”
    “Lady Syon never objected when I took her daughter to call on Mama,” Miss Rafferty said.
    “We are not Lady Syon!” Annabelle said angrily.
    “Of course not, Miss Fortescue,” Miss Rafferty said, rather ambiguously.
    If Lady Syon permitted such visits, then Annabelle assumed it was a solecism for her to have objected. To give herself an excuse, she said, “I hope your mama is not suffering from anything contagious?”
    “Oh no, Miss Fortescue. It was the toothache.”
    Stymied on all counts, Annabelle turned her ire on Dick. “If your sister is to be driven into town, Dick, you ought to have given her the use of the carriage. What will everyone think to see your sister in a donkey cart?”
    “Why, if they cared, or had any common sense, they would think I was using the carriage that day myself, as I was.”
    Annabelle’s cheeks turned pink. “You may leave us now, Miss Rafferty,” she said.
    Miss Rafferty was glad to escape. She felt free enough with her employer by this time to make a little grimacing, apologetic face behind Miss Fortescue’s back before darting out the door. Dick smiled and winked. As soon as she was gone, Annabelle turned her wrath on him.
    “How dare you take her side against me! And in front of her, too. We must stick together or the servants will walk all over us. Really, I am very dissatisfied with Miss Rafferty. She is an uncommonly sly, encroaching creature. I shall look about for someone more responsible to replace her.”
    “We are happy with Miss Rafferty,” Dick said as Rosalind joined them.
    “Well, I am not! Every time I call, she is out playing with Sukey. When does she teach the child anything?”
    “They spend the morning in the schoolroom. The weather is so fine just now. . . .” Rosalind said placatingly.
    “And taking her to visit that mother! I doubt very much that Lady Syon permitted anything of the sort. Do you know who the mother is married to? A merchant!”
    “What is wrong with that?” Dick asked at once. “Her papa was an officer and a gentleman. In fact, he was a dashed hero in the Peninsula.”
    “It won’t do,” Annabelle said firmly. Then she proceeded to the conservatory to tell the gardener what bouquets he should send for her rout