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cousin Jenny’s. If you would just be so good as to get that trunk in the back of my car.”
    â€œShe’ll freeze in that rattletrap of yours, old man. At least my auto is enclosed. Besides, Alicia wants to visit with her.”
    Ellis glanced at the woman still clinging to Merrick’s arm. Alicia was still staring back at her in such a way that Ellis was not all that sure that “visiting” was what the woman had in mind.
    Dr. Carmichael shook his head. “There will be plenty of time for visits and parties and all those things you young folks like—”
    Merrick interrupted, turning toward Ellis. “Let’s ask our guest what she wants.”
    The young lady who had been grasping Merrick’s arm through the whole proceeding quietly cleared her throat and stepped forward, closing the tight circle. “Do let us take you out to Summersend, my dear Ellis. Merrick’s motorcar would be far more comfortable for you, and besides, we haven’t seen you for so very long.”
    Dr. Carmichael gestured to the young woman. “This is Alicia, Ellie. She is a very old friend of yours.”
    Both the young ladies nodded politely.
    Ellis could see the couple was keen for her company, and it was heartening to be so welcome in a strange place, even though this pair’s country manners were overbearing. “Thank you for your kind offer. I think for now I should stay with my doctor and go straightway to see my cousin Jenny.”
    â€œThat is exactly what I am offering you, Miss Harkington. Summersend is the name of Jenny’s cottage.” Merrick continued to press Ellis to go with him.
    The lobby of the train station was warm in the confined space and was made all the more uncomfortable by the press of strangers. Every time she took a step back, Merrick pressed forward. Ellis felt the heavy layers of her green traveling suit become warm and prickly. The spinning fans above afforded no relief. Light-headed, Ellis swayed.
    Merrick dropped Alicia’s arm to catch Ellis. He wrapped an arm about her waist in support, which was both a relief and shocking at once.
    â€œWe’ve kept you standing here too long,” he whispered. “Let me help you to the car.”
    Before she could protest, her uncle came to her rescue. “I’ll help my patient, young man. You get that trunk.” He turned to her. “I’m so sorry. I’m a fool for keeping you standing here. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Can you walk? My motorcar is just outside.”
    Dr. Carmichael helped her out through the lobby doors and down the station steps. The fog had thinned considerably now and Ellis could see the shapes of the town buildings back down the road through the fog. Merrick followed them out with Alicia. He did not have Ellis’s baggage but had, rather, two young men he had selected from the crowd haul the trunk behind them.
    The Steamer sat just at the base of the stairs. The yellow spokes and rims of the tires were clean, supporting the chassis and brown body on leaf carriage springs. The vehicle was charming—”quaint” came to Ellis’s mind—but its steam boiler hissed ominously. The doctor helped her into the car. She felt revived by the gentle fall breeze and sunlight as she sat on the passenger side of the automobile.
    At Merrick’s direction, the young men hauled the trunk into the backseat. Merrick then leaned over the car door and whispered to the doctor, “I’ll let the constable know she’s here and safe. He’ll be relieved.”
    Ellis’s ears burned at his words and her jaw tensed. Whatever did he mean by that?
    Alicia came trailing behind him, carefully skirting the soldiers on the platform and looking downcast. Ellis could not catch her eye to smile in parting.
    The doctor tucked a blanket across Ellis’s lap, then swathed her in a driving veil and goggles. The doctor situated his own hat and goggles and