“What? Why?”
He stood there totally at ease in the dismal surroundings. Big, assured. The bloody Earl of Haughtiness.
“Because I want you out of this place and away from what you have been forced to do since you came here. To do that, I need to remove you. Now finish packing.”
“If you give me that wad of money, then I will be able to find lodgings somewhere better. It will also pay for food until I find employment.”
“As a piano teacher?”
“Yes.”
“If that were true, why are you not teaching now?”
“There are no jobs available at the moment. The agency could not place me.”
“With the season in full swing?” He scoffed, making her want to slap him. “I will find you work. Now, pack. You’re coming home with me.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I won’t.”
“You will.”
“Drop me at a lodging house then.”
He folded his arms, his eyes steady on hers. “Pack your things, Dimity. You can argue with me some more in the carriage, which is a great deal more comfortable.”
Dimity had endured much over the last few months. Her life had been torn apart, she’d been scared, cold, and hungry. She felt the horrifying swell of a sob build in her throat as she thought about the warmth and comfort she’d get in Lord Raine’s household. But she couldn’t let herself weaken. Ultimately, she was alone. The respite he offered could only be brief.
But surely a few days would not hurt?
Turning away, she stuffed the letters in the bottom of the bag and then gathered the few things she’d been able to sneak out of her father’s house without her brother… no, he was no longer that.Could it be true?At least that was one thing that would offer her relief. If she was indeed not her father’s daughter, then she would share no blood with her brother.
She gathered everything, including the small store of food she’d collected.
“Leave that. You no longer need it.”
“I will take it next door then.”
She wouldn’t fight him anymore. She would go along with him for now, then leave when she was ready. After a sleep and some food, she’d be strong again. Besides, his duty to his sister would be done.
She packed.
“Where are the rest of your things?”
“This is all I have.”
“Books. I know you have lots of those, because you told Abby that. Sheet music and other things. Did your brother let you take nothing?”
She wouldn’t explain anything to him. It was, after all, none of his business. So she picked up the bag.
“I’ll take that.”
She grabbed the worn collar around Walter’s neck and clutched the small parcel of food she would drop to her neighbor.
“The dog is coming?” He raised a snooty brow. She knew the look; it was meant to quell insubordinates. Dimity would never be one of those, not to him.
“He is my dog. If you take issue with that, then we will stay here.”
“I don’t remember him being mentioned before.”
