It’s gone nine.” Clarissa’s voice from the doorway brought her sister swimming up from the depths of a black and dreamless sleep. She opened her eyes, stretched, and yawned. “Is it really that late?” “Yes, and you went to bed so early.” Clarissa came into the room, an anxious frown between her eyes. “Emily and I wanted to come to you last evening, but Mama wouldn’t permit it.” She sat on the edge of the bed, regarding her sister with the same anxious frown. “Are you feeling quite well?” “Yes, of course.” Theo sat up, blinking the sleep from her eyes. “I feel a bit as if someone hit me over the head with an ax, but … Oh, God …” She stared at her sister as memory flooded back. No wonder she’d slept so late; it had been almost three before she’d gone to bed … been put to bed. “What is it?” Theo combed her hands through her hair, tugging at the tangles. “I believe I said I’d marry Stoneridge,” she announced slowly. “Clarry, I must have been mad.”
