PROLOGUE
January 1804
Limehouse, East End, London
Elijah covered his ears, his eyes squinting shut against the latest battle between his parents. His father came home only once a week for a couple of days. Each time he walked through the door, Eli experienced a short-lived joy as his Pa tossed him in the air and caught him in a fierce hug. But harsh words and the inevitable argument always followed. It had grown worse lately. Spats about money, food, where Pa spent his time.
Smack! The sound of a hand connecting with flesh sent Elijah from his bed, peeking through a slightly cracked door while his heart pounded furiously. His father was rubbing his cheek, those dark eyes narrowed as his mother took a step back.
“I could beat ye fer that,” Pa snarled, moving one booted foot forward.
“Then I’ll die by your hand or from hunger. I’d prefer the quicker death if you don’t mind.” But Ma took another step back, fear brightening her hazel eyes. She coughed, the gurgling sound echoing through the small space. “There’s something smoky about your absences, Tom. Where do you go when you leave us?”
“Always ringin’ a peal, Alice. Why should I come home at all to a hellcat? Ye used to meet me with kisses.” His father sat down heavily on one of the three chairs. The only other furniture they owned was a bed and a small table that wobbled.
“That’s when I thought you loved me.” Ma’s confidence returned, hands going to her hips. Wheat-colored strands stuck out from her mobcap. “No more Banbury tales. What is going on?”
Da sighed. A terrible, forlorn sound. “I can’t afford ye no more. I ain’t got the blunt to keep ye here.”
“You can’t afford…” Ma seemed temporarily dumbfounded. “I’m your wife, Tom, not some laced mutton.”
“A doxie would be cheaper.”
She flew at him then, a high-pitched scream rending the air. He stood and caught her fists mid swing, easily holding her arms above her head. His mother began kicking at Da’s legs, trying to wrestle from his hold. Pa bent and said something in her ear, and Ma froze.
“But you’re my husband,” she choked out as another spasm of coughs racked her body.
“Not accordin’ to the law. I already had a family when we met, and I can’t keep paying fer two.” He let go of her, and Eli watched as his mother fumbled for the chair to hold herself up.
What did that mean? Pa didn’t want them anymore? Could he do that?
“Why did you marry me?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
“Ye’d sprained yer ankle and came to me all hysterical. What was I s’posed to do?”
Ma shook her head. “Of course I was hysterical. I was pregnant and unwed.”
“So, I wed ye. Problem solved till now.”
Eli blinked back the tears. His father had another family. They must be better because he spent more time with them. If only he’d known Pa had other children, Eli would have tried harder to be the favorite. He wouldn’t have eaten so much.
“Did you ever love me?” His mother’s voice sounded so weak. Like Eli’s when he didn’t feel good.
“I can take the boy with me,” his father continued, ignoring her question. “He’s fit, so I can find him a position somewhere. I’ll check on him regular-like and make sure he’s bein’ treated proper. Ye’ll ‘ave to go back to yer family.”
Eli’s stomach twisted. Ma had another family too? Would she leave him with his father? The question bounced around his brain, and he rubbed his temples against the onslaught.
Ma shook her head. “I can’t go back. Not now…” Eli’s heart cracked when his mother let out a wrenching sob. “Mama was right. I’ve been such a gull.”
“The rent’s paid till the end o’ the week. Ye got till Saturday to figure it out.” He swiped a hand through his dark curls. “Am I takin’ the lad or no?”
“Elijah is mine, you scapegrace. He’s all I have. I could never let him go.” Ma began crying in earnest now, her face hidden in her arms, forehead against the scarred oak table.
His father hovered over her, his hand almost touching her head, then pulling back. Tears ran down Eli’s cheeks as he watched his father’s retreat. The door slammed with a shuddering thump.
Eli silently padded up to his mother, wiping his wet cheeks with the bottom of his nightshirt. He had to fix this. “It’ll be all right,” he whispered soothingly, rubbing her back. Her narrow shoulders shook, then more coughing.
She wiped her reddened eyes with her sleeves. “I know it will, my sweet boy. Did you hear everything?”
