I smiled in greeting as she walked inside and closed the door. After achieving a clear look at her face, I took a step back.
She stomped several paces ahead of me and then turned to me with a dark look. “I crossed paths with Mr. Coburn on my way here.” Her voice was quiet, shaking with rage. “Do you care to explain yourself?”
My heart raced. “I stopped my brothers from stealing and apologized on their behalf.” My voice was steady, which I was quite proud of.
Aunt Ruth lunged forward and gripped my upper arm so tightly I felt my pulse against her thick hand. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out. Her hot breath was close to my ear. “Control those thieving scoundrels or I will do it my own way.”
Anger flushed my cheeks. I jerked my arm from her grasp, daring myself to keep a lifted chin.
She was silent for too long; I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. “He also informed me of your grievous insults against his character,” she seethed. “Your behavior, as well as that of your brothers, reflects poorly on me. I will not stand for it any longer.”
My cheeks grew hot. “What do you intend to do?”
But before she could say another word, a loud shriek and the sound of running footsteps split the air.
“Aunt Ruth’s underclothes were on top of it!” Peter yelled with disgust as he ran down the stairs, bonnet in hand. The moment his eyes fell upon the scene, he froze. Charles ran down beside him, his giggles fading instantly. Their frantic gazes jumped to me.
I hurried forward, taking their hands and pulling them behind me. I turned to face our aunt. Charles buried his face in my skirts.
Aunt Ruth clenched her fists at her sides. I flinched as she took a step closer. “Don’t move.” Her voice sent a chill over my arms. She walked to the staircase. I knew she would not end our conversation there. She must have been going to fetch something.
I smoothed my hand over Peter’s hair and wrapped my arm around Charles. “It will be all right. Just keep quiet.” I didn’t have to look at their faces to know they understood. Whatever punishment awaited us, a small seed of hope was now tucked away inside me. Mr. Frampton could take us away from all of this. The offer was looking better with each passing moment.
Aunt Ruth was back within a few minutes, clutching a wrinkled paper in her hand. I saw the black curve of writing.
“I am through with their behavior,andyours,” she seethed. “The only reason I ever agreed to open my home to you wasbecause of my late husband’s wishes. In return I have receivednothing.Nothing but three maddening children—one of whom is a pathetic, undignified girl who is growing into precisely the same sort of woman.” She stepped toward me and lifted her nose, examining my face through narrowed eyes. “With an obvious lack of care for her complexion.”
She lifted the folded paper in her hand and swiped it quickly and forcefully across my face. I felt the slice of the edge as it cut through the skin near my ear. Charles squealed and buried his face into the side of my skirts. Peter squeezed my left hand even as I lifted my right to the cut on my cheek. I withdrew my fingers and stared at the two droplets of blood there.
“What is another blemish?” Aunt Ruth said dismissively. “What matters is that I will be rid of you soon and shall not be forced to look upon it.”
My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”
“I’m sending the three of you away.”
My brows lifted with alarm. “Away?”
She handed me the paper, the edge now laced with my blood. “This came for you two months ago. I had no intention of allowing you to read it, but after your brothers’ appalling behavior today, I find that I may use it for a bargain.”
I bit my tongue to keep from asking what she meant. My gaze blurred as I stared down at what appeared to be a letter.Miss Annette Downing,along with our address, were scrolled across the front in an elegant hand. I had very few acquaintances. I couldn’t begin to guess who could have sent it. My fingers shook as I unfolded the letter. I felt a trickle of blood roll down the front of my ear, but I was too distracted by the words.
Dear Miss Downing,
To my shame and regret, it has taken me years to write this letter. I have no excuse for it, but I could not manage to find the words to express myself in writing. It has never been a talent of mine.
You may not remember, but we met once many years ago when you accompanied your parents to Kellaway Manor, my home in Hampshire. They were very dear to me, and they visited often. I was saddened profoundly to hear of their accident upon their return home to you five years ago. I admit that I feel somewhat to blame. I invited them to visit, and had I not, I daresay they may still be alive. My guilt has haunted me over the years, and I have been selfish in my fear of your opinion of me. Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am. I miss your parents greatly, but I know I cannot possibly miss them as fiercely as you do.
This is long overdue, but I would like to invite you, along with your brothers, to visit Kellaway Manor at your earliest convenience. My husband and three of my children will be absent most of the summer, so our home will be quite empty. I would love the opportunity to become better acquainted. I trust that your aunt will see to the arrangements.
Sincerely and with a heavy heart,
Mrs. Catherine Kellaway
If I remembered correctly, Mrs. Kellaway had been raised in the same neighborhood as my mother, and they had both met and fallen in love with their husbands during their first London Season together. They had remained close friends in the years that followed.
Kellaway Manor.It had been at least ten years since my one and only visit there. Something about clean, bright stone, andlush, green grounds flashed in my mind. Mama and Papa had loved visiting the Kellaways. As Mrs. Kellaway had written, it was the place they were returning from when they died.
I blinked fast as the letters on the page blurred together. Aunt Ruth’s words sprang back to my mind. Had she said something about… a bargain?
