Chapter Six

 

Anna was well aware that there was no escaping Thomas’s wrath. She hurried across the fallen log where her brothers waited. Henry, the youngest, grinned up at her, a gap where a tooth had once been. His patched trousers and threadbare shirt were a stark contrast to the clean coat and breeches Thomas wore.

Any extra money went to her eldest brother, which he used to purchase clothing to impress the many men to whom he presented his latest propositions. He had to have the “proper attire,” or so he termed it, or the best port as an offering during those various meetings. One would believe he was of the landed gentry if they took in his appearance, which was all Thomas ever wanted.

“Who was that man?” Thomas demanded, his fist raised. “Tell me at once so I may go find the coward. I’ll challenge him to a duel if I must.”

In Anna’s opinion, if her brother was as furious as he made himself out to be, he would have given chase. But his words were rarely followed up with meaningful actions.

His tall form cast her in shadow, and he let out a sigh of frustration as he brushed back a wave of brown hair from his brow. Although he and Henry had different fathers, both shared their mother’s hair color.

Thomas looked her up and down, his face purple with rage. “I don’t wish to ask what took place here, but I’ve no choice. And why are you wearing that coat?” Anna went to respond, but he lifted a hand to forestall her. “Please tell me my fears haven’t been realized.”

“Nothing happened in regard to your fears,” she snapped.

He heaved a dramatic sigh. “Thank goodness.”

“What did you fear, Thomas?” Henry asked with the innocence of a boy of six. “Was that man gonna thump her?”

“It’s none of your concern,” Thomas snapped. “I’m just thankful our dear sister remains honorable. I would hate to think she would ruin her chances of finding a wealthy suitor interested in calling on her.”

Anna shook her head in annoyance. Thomas was not concerned for her sake that she had acted properly. Instead, he was relieved she was still worthy of finding a proper gentleman who would ask for her hand in marriage, a transaction of which Thomas reminded her almost daily.

And why would he be concerned about scandal? He acted as if the Silverstone name was on the tip of every tongue of those of high society. The truth was, perhaps he should consider his own actions before berating her for hers.

“Why’re you home so early?” Henry asked, and Anna winced. “Did you miss me?”

She ruffled his hair. “I always miss you while I’m working.” She sneaked a sideways glance at Thomas and added, “Work’s been delayed for a while. That’s why I’m home earlier than usual.”

“What do you mean ‘delayed’?” Thomas demanded as they exited the sparse woods that bordered the small field beside their cottage. “Are you saying that you won’t be returning to work tomorrow?”

Anna shook her head.

“Next week, then.”

Again she shook her head.

“Henry, run along and prepare for your lesson. I’ll be there in a minute.”

The boy darted away, running past the pen where their brother Christian was working one of the horses.

Sighing, Anna said, “I’ll not be returning until September.”

Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Anna. No one suddenly shuts down a workhouse for so long. Tell me the entire story.”

Anna sighed. He would learn the truth soon enough. “Remember when I told you about Geraldine Malley and her children?”

Thomas raised a single brow but gave no indication that he had any memory of said family.

“Today I heard a rumor that Mr. Harrison wishes to release some of the workers.” For several minutes, she explained what had transpired, including her offer to give her work to Geraldine.

When she finished, Thomas stared at her, his face a thundercloud. “Have you lost your mind? We rely on that money to survive, and you give away your position? For once, will you consider the needs of your own family and let Mrs. Malley worry about hers?”

Anna’s jaw tightened. “Geraldine and her children barely have enough to eat as it is, Thomas! Unlike you, I can’t walk around in good conscience knowing that others suffer! Not when I can do something to help.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Unlike me?” His red face had darkened to puce, and his tone became quiet, a sure sign she had gone too far.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve enough money set aside that you may have. It’s more than enough to carry us through until I return to work.”

As she had expected, Thomas went into a rant, demanding to know how she could have kept back any money, when they needed it so much. One would have thought he was her husband rather than her brother.

“After what I’ve seen today,” he said with a disappointed shake to his head, “I don’t know who you are anymore. And what was this money you deprived your family of intended for?”

Anna dropped her gaze. “To go to London and search out Father.”

Thomas took a firm grip on her arms. “That man doesn’t deserve the title of Father. I forbid you to see him or even speak of him again. Do you hear me?”

“But why?” Anna asked. “Why is it that you can have such lofty dreams, but when I wish to meet the man who can open up the world to us, you become angry?”

He released her, and Anna wiped tears from her cheek. He had not hurt her, not physically, but if she were not arguing with Thomas, Christian was. Thomas spent every waking moment consumed with the idea of being accepted by those far above them. It was why every farthing went into the horses Christian trained so they could sell them, which would have been a respectable way to make money. The problem was, what they earned from those sales went to new suits, gifts of expensive wines, and hired carriages, all to impress those who would never accept them.

The only result of that hard work was continued poverty and incessant arguing, and Anna despised it all.

“You’re no longer a child, Anna. It’s my duty to protect you. Trust me, that man cared nothing for our mother, nor you or me. Erase him from your mind. He’s not worth a moment’s notice. Now, that man whose coat you wear. Who is he? And how is it that you are still wearing it?”

“A cousin of the Remington’s. A duke. And he…gave it to me.”

“A duke?” Thomas snorted. “I doubt that. He probably lied to you. I forbid you to see him again. People like him believe that women like you are easy to seduce. Once he gets what he wants from you, he’ll cast you aside. Mark my words. That coat is merely the beginning, Anna. I’d rather you return the garment than see you pay for it in ways that cannot be taken back.”

Anna’s cheeks heated with embarrassment. She had not partaken in any unscrupulous acts today, but she had hoped that Colin would kiss her. At one point, it appeared he would. If he had, she was uncertain if she would have stopped him if he asked for more.

Yet a larger problem than receiving a kiss from a handsome duke was at hand. Thomas had forbidden her to see Colin, and she simply could not allow that to happen. Not that she would inform her brother of this fact.

“There’s no need to worry, Thomas. He was bragging about returning to his fancy estate first thing tomorrow. I doubt we’ll ever see him again.”

“Good. Now, get supper started. I’ll see to Henry’s reading lesson. He was looking forward to a swim today. Until you ruined it.”

Anna clenched her fists in her skirts as her brother walked away. Every problem that arose, he blamed on her. Or Christian. Neither made any sense, as it was he, Thomas, who made all the financial decisions in the family. If anyone was to blame, it was he!

Her gaze fell on the cottage. How she wished their mother were still alive! In the long line of grandfathers on her mother’s side, one had purchased the property and built the house. Over the years, it was parceled out and sold, most to the Remington family.

Eventually, all that remained was the house and the small patch of land on which it sat, which was left to Thomas. It was not fancy, by any means, but it had enough bedrooms to allow Anna and Thomas a bedroom of their own, leaving the last for the two younger boys to share.

The thatched roof leaked, the window in her bedroom had a crack that resembled a wide grin, and the paint— like the happy memories— had long since faded. Yet Anna found their home charming, and like her dreams, she believed there was still hope for it.

She smiled as she approached the pen. Christian was a handsome boy, so much so that he attracted as many smiles from women as she did from men. Although it was not in fashion, he wore his blond hair long, allowing it to flow around his shoulders as he worked. Christian, like her, dreamed of better days, but he had his feet firmly planted in reality, unlike Thomas.

“Do I dare ask how you came by that coat?” he asked as he closed the door to the stable. “Or that wine bottle?”

“A cousin of the Remingtons— a duke, no less— gave them to me.” Christian raised an eyebrow. “Well, that may not be the complete truth. I donned the coat and refused to return it.”

“That’s my sister,” Christian said with a chuckle. “And Thomas? What’s upset him this time? That could not have been just about your new coat.”

Anna explained the situation about work as she walked alongside her brother to a large tree, leaning against its trunk as she finished her story. “So, it appears our poverty is once again my fault.”

Christian frowned. “He’s no right to your money. He believes he’s so wise with finances, but the truth is, we’d be better off with you doing them.” Pulling his hair over a shoulder, he motioned to the bottle. He took a large swallow and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his dusty coat. “Well, it doesn’t matter, none of this does. Our fate’s only temporary. We’re bound to hit a streak of luck sometime. After all, we are Silverstones, aren’t we?”

Anna smiled as she accepted the bottle once more. In the past, their family had indeed enjoyed better days due to wise investments in mining and wool.

But that had been several generations back, and every subsequent generation since had squandered any wealth gained. If Thomas were given the opportunity, he would do the same. Had done the same. And now her tiny nest egg would be gone, too. She would hand it over to Thomas, and like the Silverstones before them, she would be left with nothing.

A moment of fear overtook her, causing her heart to seize and her breath to stop. Would she truly never meet her father? Would the bloodline she so desperately desired allude rather than save her?

As if reading her thoughts, Christian threw an arm over her shoulders and said, “You’re my sister and tougher than most men I’ve met. Don’t let our brother, who chooses to grovel at the feet of every lord there is, bring you down. You’ll figure this out and get to London one way or another.”

“Do you truly believe so?” she asked as they made their way to the cottage. “I’m beginning to have my doubts.”

Christian grinned. “That’s when we recognize our true dreams. When they’re just within our reach.”

Anna considered his words. They eased her worries, if only by a bit, and allowed her mind to turn to the man whose coat she wore.