Miss Landon and Aubranael

Part 2

The milliner's shop being just opposite, this suggestion could only please Sophy, and she readily agreed. It was the work of a mere few minutes to complete her business with Mr. Peck, the more speedily accomplished for not having an audience, and she soon stepped out into the street once more with two hatboxes in hand: one unusually large, and one remarkably small.

She noticed at once that Anne had not gone into Miss Sargent's shop at all, for she had noticed Mr. Ash in the street and had, with well-meaning enthusiasm, pressed him into conversation. Mr. Ash was a tall, rather serious young man, well known for the dedication he applied to learning his father's business. It was widely agreed across Tilby that Mr. Ash spent far too much of his time attending to his work, and Miss Gladwin and Miss Lacey were particularly forthright in their belief that he would wear himself away to nothing. With many a charming smile and much good-humoured laughter, Anne was doing her best to avert this terrible prospect.

Mr. Ash bore her conversation with patience, but Sophy could see that he was anxious to resume his errand, whatever it had been. Stepping quickly across the street, she walked straight up to the couple and immediately said:

'Forgive my interruption, Mr. Ash, but you have accosted my companion and I am much desirous of having her back. Shall it inconvenience you very much if I reclaim her at once?'

Mr. Ash shot her a look of mild relief, mumbled something vaguely affirmative and rapidly made his escape. Sophy noticed that he cast a quick, shy look at Anne on his way past.

'I am not sure whether to be vexed with you or not, Sophy,' said Anne once Mr. Ash was out of hearing. 'He almost smiled! Would have, I am sure, had I had another moment's conversation with him.'

'And is it your mission to induce smiles in every young man?'

'No; only the stubborn ones, like Mr. Ash. Most of them need no encouragement.'

Sophy smiled herself, but made no reply to this sally. Instead she said: 'Now, Anne, I am going to the bridge. I do not ask you to come with me if you would rather not.'

Anne eyed the enormous hat box in her friend's hands and made a face. 'You are not visiting with the bridge-keeper again, are you? I know he is a great friend of yours, but... a troll? I do not know quite where trolls fit into society, but a bridge-keeper cannot rank very high.'

'All of that is quite immaterial! Balli is a dear creature, gentleman or not, and I am going to give him this gift right away.' She turned and set off, leaving Anne to catch up if she would.

'But-but-Sophy,' Anne panted as she struggled to keep up with the taller woman's pace, 'it is not his profession so much as his unusual approach to it! Always wanting news and information and secrets. I do believe that many would infinitely prefer to give him money, like all the other tolls.'

'Why should that be? Everyone is always wild for news, and gossip is traded with considerably more enthusiasm than mere money. Mr. Balligumph is merely more honest about it than the rest of us!'

Anne's only response to this was an inarticulate noise of incredulity; but she kept up with Sophy all the way through the village and out to the bridge. The weather was indeed fine, and as the sun beat down upon them both, Sophy began to regret her choice of a long pelisse, instead of a short spencer jacket like Anne's. It was only that her gown, an old favourite in yellow muslin, was looking so shabby now, and she had just enough pride to want to cover it up. Her spencer was fraying at the cuffs, and until she had found a way to mend it neatly, her pelisse would have to do.

As the old stone bridge came into view, Sophy was glad to see that it was empty; no carriages waited to cross the worn stone structure, and there were no other walkers in sight. Stepping lightly into the middle of the bridge, she paused and called, 'Mr. Balligumph?'