I looked up in confusion.
“I will write to Mrs. Kellaway immediately to accept the invitation on your behalf,” Aunt Ruth said. “You shall have a month or two, at most, remaining of her hospitality. During your time at Kellaway Manor, I expect a drastic change your brothers’ behavior. Upon their return, If I detect even the slightest hint of mischief or ill-mannered antics, they will be sent to an orphanage in London.”
I nearly dropped the letter. “An orphanage?”
Aunt Ruth’s eyes darkened. “This is not the only time I’ve considered it.”
I pulled my brothers impossibly closer. Hateful woman! How could she even entertain such a vile idea? But it wasn’t just an idea. It was real now. I could see the sincerity in her gaze.
Another sincere gaze, a much kinder one, flashed in my mind. Mr. Frampton and his proposal. I opened my mouth, intending to tell Aunt Ruth of my ability to escape her wicked plans, but stopped myself. He had told me how firm his intentions were, and that nothing could change his mind. He was a gentleman of his word.
I shall await your answer as long as it takes,he had said.
My gaze flickered to the letter again, and a wave of longing stole through my chest. What if this was my only chance to escape Silton? If I accepted Mr. Frampton’s offer now, I would be shackled to him and this town forever. Mrs. Kellaway’s invitation could provide me with one final opportunity for an adventure before I began my new life. My brothers had neverknown a world outside of this town. I wanted to show them. I wanted to experience another visit to the estate my parents had so adored.
My heart ached as the sudden desire burned brighter inside me. For the most part, I had given up on dreaming, but how could I turn away an opportunity like this? A month or two away from Aunt Ruth, away from Silton and Mr. Frampton, would give me time to clear my head. I could make myself certain of my answer to Mr. Frampton’s proposal, and come to terms with my future.
I would still take Aunt Ruth’s threats seriously during our visit. It would be a good opportunity to see how my brothers could improve their behavior away from Aunt Ruth’s influence. At the end of it all, they could be better prepared to make a good impression on Mr. Frampton and his children.
Aunt Ruth sneered as if she had won some great battle. “If Mrs. Kellaway is as elegant and genteel as she seems to think she is, then she shall have no problem transforming your brothers. I could hardly tolerate her whining in that letter. If she blames herself for your parents’ death, then she shall now have to blame herself for your brothers’ time in an orphanage.”
I glared at her. “You cannot thrust this responsibility on Mrs. Kellaway.Iwill school my brothers on how to behave properly while we are there.”
Aunt Ruth scoffed. “Your example has never been enough. Your behavior is just as disagreeable as theirs. If I had any hope of you securing a husband, I would send you to London, but you would be laughable beside the other young ladies.” She tugged off her gloves and set them on a nearby table. “I would never subject myself to such disdain as your chaperone. Let us allow Mrs. Kellaway to see for herself what a disappointment you are.”
The words stung, but she had no idea what cards I held behind my back.
“The drive to Kellaway Manor is nearly a full day’s journey,” she said, marching toward the stairs. “I shall order a carriage in the morning. My letter should reach Kellaway Manor just before you do.”
I jerked back in surprise. “That is hardly any notice! She sent the invitation two months ago.”
Aunt Ruth stopped on the stairs. “They are rich, Annette. They have countless servants at their disposal. Three more mouths to feed with not put them out of sorts.” She shot a harsh glance in my direction. “I suggest you begin packing your things. I cannot spare a servant for your journey, so you will have to rely on the Kellaways to provide you with a maid.”
My stomach dropped. How could we make a good impression on Mrs. Kellaway if we dropped ourselves on her doorstep at a moment’s notice without a chaperone? It was humiliating. I wanted to protest, but Aunt Ruth was already marching up the stairs again.
I had much to do. I couldn’t leave Mr. Frampton without an explanation of my absence, or without any hope for my answer. First, I would have to write him a brief letter, then I would have to pack my trunks as well as Peter’s and Charles’s.
I caught sight of Edith, who had been eavvesdropping from around the corner. I would require her help if I was to accomplish so much in such a short time.
“What does the letter say?” Peter asked, attempting to pull the paper from my grasp.
I lifted it out of his reach and reiterated the contents to him and Charles briefly. As I did, their eyes lit up with excitement. It eased my worries for a moment, though I couldn’t ignore Aunt Ruth’s intentions for this visit. However unlikely, Mr. Frampton could still change his mind. I couldn’t rely on him completely. My brothers were required to become perfect little gentlemen. I couldn’t take that lightly.
Peter and Charles didn’t even know what it meant to be a gentleman. They had never had the example of a good man to influence them. The only man they ever interacted with was Mr. Coburn, and he was not a man in whose footsteps I would encourage them to follow.
“I will not have you enduring Aunt Ruth’s horrid punishments,” I said in a serious voice.
They wore solemn expressions, but I could see smiles tugging at their lips. They were expecting an adventure. It might have been foolish, but so was I. My stomach fluttered. I would savor every moment away from Silton. I would try to experience Kellaway Manor as my parents did, and see it through their eyes. The last time I had visited I had been far too young to appreciate it.
I squeezed Charles’s cheek and ruffled Peter’s hair. “We shall have a wonderful time, so long as you both behave.”
They nodded resolutely, but it did nothing to ease the worry in my stomach. Aunt Ruth wasn’t the only person who had to be impressed by their behavior. I also wanted to prove to Mrs. Kellaway that I had been raising them properly.
Most importantly, I needed to ensure that Mr. Frampton didn’t find them lacking in any way. If we married, and he took them into his household, he would witness their mischief firsthand. What if he found them intolerable and chose to send them back to Aunt Ruth? He was a vicar, after all. He couldn’t be associated with poor behavior. It would reflect badly on him, just as it reflected on our aunt.
Dread set into my stomach. I hadn’t fully considered that before.
A change in their behavior was essential then, no matter what the future held. But they didn’t listen to my reprimands at home, so why should they start once we were at KellawayManor? Could a new setting suddenly change my ability to influence them?
