AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have not heard from you yet, Miss Lucas, and I would dearly like for you to attend so I might introduce you to the others. Please reply as soon as possible.”
The message was delivered and I began to fear the oncoming storm of crows as the next one hopped up. The tone of Lady Trent’s voice was less than pleased.
“I hope these are reaching you, Miss Lucas. Please tell me if you are able to attend the next afternoon’s club meeting.”
I stared up at Ben in horror as the crow’s place was taken up by another one. His face, too, showed the dawning realization that we were about to be put on repeat by a most irate Lady Trent.
The next message was curt. “Please reply.”
The next crow repeated the same message. “Please reply.”
“Please reply.”
“Please reply.”
“Please reply.”
“Wait a minute!” I shouted as I held up both hands in front of me. The next crow snapped its beak shut. “If there are any other crows with that message, consider your note received and get out of line.” All but one hopped out of the way.
The last crow hopped up to me and opened its beak. I prematurely winced as Lady Trent’s sharp voice
“Please reply as soon as possible, Miss Lucas, or I must assume you no longer desire to attend any of these meetings. Please provide an answer before noon or I will make that assumption.”
I sighed and my shoulders slumped forward. Ben set a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to find a bemused expression on his face. “I believe she desires a reply from you.”
I snorted. “You got that feeling, too?”
Ben stooped and scooped up one of the crows which he held out to me. “I’m curious to hear what you have to say.”
I took the crow from him and cradled it in my hands. “I know what I want to say, but I don’t want to force the crow to repeat that.”
Ben chuckled. “Then perhaps discretion may be the best option.”
I took a deep breath and lifted the crow to my face. “I would-” I paused and furrowed my brow before I looked up at Ben. “Could we make it back to the city by two?”
His good humor fell away as he nodded. “We can, but we’ll miss the races today.”
I hung my head and groaned. “Me and my stupid mouth. . .” I sighed again and looked up at the crow. “I will be attending the meeting today.” I tossed the crow into the air. The others lifted their wings and followed their leader into the distance and out of sight.
Ben stepped up to my side and smiled at me. “What do you say to some breakfast? Hannah’s pancakes are legendary.”
I nodded, but my heart and stomach weren’t into it. Ben led us back into the house and we walked into the dining room to discover that we weren’t going to be breakfasting alone. The trio were seated in their chairs-well, with a few changes. Mouse and Grant had switched places, and Mouse was not happy about it.
Still, the companions put on their best smiles as we entered. “Good morning!” Mouse chirped.
“‘Morning,” Chase chimed in.
“Good morning,” Ben replied for both of us as we took our seats. “I must admit I didn’t expect to see you gentlemen this early.”
“It was kind of hard to sleep through that crow delivery,” Grant pointed out.
I winced. “Sorry about that.”
Chase shook his head. “No need to apologize. You didn’t look too pleased to be receiving those messages any more than we wanted to hear them.”
“Which is why we came up with a brilliant plan,” Grant announced as the trio grinned at each other before they turned to Ben and me.
“We’re going to offer you Bashful to get you back to Validen,” Mouse told us.
