Page 83 of Heir of Uncertain Magic

“Fernsby,” the guard added, reading off a list—not like there was anyone else here. “You’re free to go.”

Relief and fear warred with one another inside her. “Wh-What?”

Merritt stood. “Just like that?”

The guard nodded without looking either of them in the eye. “Bail posted. You are not to leave the limits of Suffolk County. Failure to arrive to your trial will result in immediate arrest and additional charges, including evasion of arrest. Understand?”

Hulda worked her mouth. Merritt said, “I wasn’t aware we could pay out—”

“I could also just lock this door,” the impatient guard retorted.

Hulda grabbed Merritt’s hand, confused but determined. “Let’s go.” But who had paid for them? Surely Myra hadn’t come out of the woodwork. Had Mr.Walker changed his mind? Had her sister or parents learned of her arrest and come out to help? Despite the utter humiliation of such a thing, Hulda was incredibly relieved to step foot outside that cell—

And lock eyes with a man she had never seen before in her life. He wasn’t in uniform, so she could only assume he was the one who’d paid the sum ... And how much of a sum had it been?

“Excuse me, I don’t—” she began, but Merritt spoke over her.

“Sutcliffe.” He sounded surprised.

A shock zinged up Hulda’s spine.Sutcliffe.Nelson Sutcliffe. This was Merritt’s father.

She could see a little of the resemblance.

Then a woman stepped around the corner, dressed simply in blue, her black hair pulled back tightly—

“MissTaylor!” Hulda cried, and despite herself, she rushed for the maid and threw her arms around her. “What are you doing here? What’s going on?”

MissTaylor smiled and grasped Hulda’s hands. “Here, come this way.” She pulled her away from the cell, toward the front of thepenitentiary—but seeing how blustery it was outside, they stayed inside the door. But at least Hulda couldsee outside. She soaked it in, poor weather and all.

“I felt very uneasy about the transfer,” MissTaylor said as Merritt and Sutcliffe spoke in low tones nearby. “I tried looking into it, but most of my inquiries were evaded, and the people in Winnipeg didn’t seem to know anything. Then Myra reached out to me—”

Hulda gasped. “M-Myra?”

MissTaylor nodded. “She contacted me through a letter—I never saw her face.”

“Then she’s well?” Given the distance to Canada, however, Hulda’s interaction with Myra was likely more recent.

A shrug. “I’m not sure. Well enough to write.” She squeezed Hulda’s hands. “She must have heard about the audit. She wrote as though she knew.”

“I mentioned it in nearly every message I sent to her.” Hulda shook her head. “Of course. I’m interrupting. Please, go on.”Unless Myra has been nearby this whole time, keeping tabs on us ... but how close does she have to be to read minds?Hulda wasn’t sure Myra would take the risk ...

“She gave me tips on how to get transferred back—language to use, bylaws, forms. And I did! I got back Friday afternoon, only to learn you and Mr.Fernsby had been incarcerated!”

Now Hulda squeezed. “I’m nearly positive Mr.Baillie sent you away because you’re a clairvoyant. He’s been manipulating all of us—Mr.Walker especially—and someone with your skills would be able to see through his ruse.”

MissTaylor’s eyes widened. “I ... see.”

“You may be able to help our trial,” Hulda pressed.

“I can certainly try. The skill is so weak—”

“Anything will help at this point.”

MissTaylor clasped her hands together. “So, I learned the charges, and that bail was possible—but I don’t have the means, and I don’tknow how to contact Myra. I thought to look up your sister’s residence, but I work solely on contract, so Mr.Baillie barred me from the office.” She offered a sympathetic half smile. “Then I remembered Mr.Sutcliffe.” She dipped her head toward Merritt’s father. “I remembered where he lived because I posted Mr.Fernsby’s letter. So I took the coach out to him and explained what had happened. He came immediately.”

A burst of warmth in her chest drove back some of the prison’s chill. “Thank the Lord,” she whispered. Not only that she and Merritt were free, but because this meant Mr.Sutcliffecared about his son. Merritt needed that. He desperately needed that.

The men must have finished their conversation, because they joined Hulda and MissTaylor—Mr.Sutcliffe looking resigned, Merritt thoughtful. Merritt’s attention went to MissTaylor. “You are an angel.”

---