“There’s no harm in it,” Claire said.
“Just do it,” Louisa insisted.
Jacob replaced the head, facing it backward. “I always knew she was misguided. Now we know why.”
“Sara,” Louisa continued through her laughter, “she deserves it. She is a horrid person.”
“I can’t.” Her voice came out as a squeak. I told you you would regret it! Now come here!
“Louisa,” Claire warned in a soft voice, concerned eyes on Sara, but it was lost in the loud laughter.
“Just do it,” Louisa insisted more loudly. “Do it.”
“Please, I can’t.” It was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe and speak.
“Why not? It’s easy.” Louisa pushed her more. “Just tell her how you feel.”
“I’m not you!” Sara burst out just as her throat closed completely. The noose had wrapped around her throat and had tightened, stopping the air from getting into her lungs. She looked at Claire with panicked eyes.
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Claire said in a soothing voice, leading Sara quickly to the sofa. “Just breathe. There’s nothing here to threaten you. In two three four, out two three four.”
Sara struggled to get air past the noose, her head making short jerks as she inhaled noisily.
“Look at me,” Claire instructed, still using her calm, soothing tone. “Focus on me and on breathing. In two three four, out two three four.”
Louisa had sat on the other side of Sara and rubbed her back, counting with Claire. Jacob put the manikin behind a decorative screen in the corner and discreetly left the room, knowing Sara disliked him seeing her thus.
The more air that passed the noose, the more relaxed Sara became. Slowly the noose lifted and the anxiety drained away. As her labored breathing eased, her embarrassment increased. She stared at her lap. “I am sorry,” she whispered. “I know you were just having a spot of fun and I ruined it.”
“No.” Louisa was firm. “I ruined it. I shouldn’t have pushed you when you said you couldn’t. It is my fault.”
Claire shook her head. “There is no need to place blame in this. What happened, happened. There is no need to dwell on it.”
Louisa rubbed her back again. “We were just trying to help.”
Sara gave a weak smile. “I know. But I’m not you. It doesn’t come easily for me.”
Louisa returned her smile. “It doesn’t have to. We will always be here to defend you against that dragon.”
Sara gave a small giggle. “The modern Knights of the Round Table, saving the damsel in distress.”
Claire chuckled. “What is the world coming to when the knights are female?”
Louisa looked at her indignantly and sniffed. “I still say that if Guinevere had been in charge, the legends would have ended much differently. And for the better. We would still have Camelot, for instance.”
Sara smiled at the familiar argument and took that as her cue to leave. “Excuse me. I think I should like to rest for a while.”
Claire looked at her, understanding. “Is there anything you would like? I can have Anna to come with a tea tray or a lavender compress.”
Sara shook her head. “Just some quiet would do me good.” Claire nodded.
Sara smiled as Louisa squeezed her hand in farewell. She left the sitting room and made her way to her room down the corridor. When they had moved in, Claire had insisted they all take rooms on what used to the family level. All rooms on this floor were closed to the public, giving each member of the Governess Club a separate space to call her own.
Sara shut the door to her room, pausing briefly to close her eyes and take a deep breath. Swallowing, she moved to the curtains and shut them, blocking out the bright afternoon light before rolling back part of the carpet, revealing the hardwood floor underneath. She retrieved her Bible from her nightstand and knelt down on the exposed floor, ensuring there was no protection for her knees. Keeping her back ramrod straight, she opened the Bible to the bookmark and began to read aloud, keeping her voice quiet.
Her mother’s voice interrupted only once.
This will teach you to disrespect others, girl!