“It is hardly surprising,” Emily said. “Those who go to such lengths to avoid the company of folk are hardly likely to cheerfully answer the door, especially after dark. I rather sympathise.”

“Well, we have come this far,” Anne said. “We shall walk around to the back and investigate further.”

“I’m not sure that we should,” Charlotte objected. “It would be very much like trespassing, and there might be”—Charlotte hesitated—“hazards.”

“Charlotte, dear,” Emily reminded her, “it has been quite some months since we indulged in such a transgression. I shall lead the way, for I have some experience in this area. If there are hazards, then they shall accost me first.”

“Very well,” Anne said, “but should we meet the sisters, don’t frighten them, Emily. They are not used to everyday folk, and so they are certainly not prepared to meet one such as you.”

“One might argue that I am exactly the sort of person they are prepared to meet,” Emily said.

Carefully they began to make their way around to the back of the property, Emily tracing her freezing fingertips along the roughly hewn walls of the cottage as a guide. It seemed that with every step the night grew darker and quieter, as if even the owls in the trees were holding their breath.

At last Emily could make out the faint bloom of a light coming not from within the house, but from one of a huddle of outbuildings bunched together to make a cobbled yard. Feeling a little as though she were stepping out into thin air, she detached herself from the safe harbour of the wall and headed towards the light. It was a creaking henhouse door that she pushed open, and as she did, she caught sight of a hunched, strangely balanced figure standing over the animals.

“Miss Sladden?” Emily asked very quietly, hoping her sisters would know to stay back. “My name is Emily Brontë, from Haworth. Please accept my apologies for calling on you so late and uninvited, but it is concerning a really quite important matter.”

“You must go now,” Miss Sladden spoke, keeping her back to Emily. “Please, turn away and leave.”

“Miss Sladden,” Emily began again, “I quite understand that I am here uninvited and unwelcome, but I am urgently trying to find a young woman and boy, formerly of Crossed Keys Orphanage: a Miss Goddard and a boy called Tom. Perhaps you could tell me if you have recently taken either into your employment?”

“Please go,” Miss Sladden repeated, and Emily heard the distress in her voice. “I am not to be seen. I do not wish to be seen. Please go.”

The pleading in her voice was such that Emily began to push open the door, before hesitating.