Page 9

CHAPTER 9

ELLA

E lla wiped down the last table before collecting the dirty linens. Her wrist felt lighter without the bracelet. She had torn her room apart. Searched the garden and the storeroom. And nothing. Sissy had helped her look in the kitchen and dining area. It was gone. The last ties to her old life were unraveling quicker than she liked. Last night she dreamt of a large pile of laundry that needed washing. The sadness she felt over this loss had turned to loneliness. No one understood what it was like to lose pieces of who she thought she was to who they wanted her to be.

The only person that might have understood, she had seen very little of since the incident at Mr . McCoy’s . Thane normally left before the evening meal and did not come back until the dawn’s pink light was in the sky. He rarely ate and slept all day. The few interactions she had with him were brief, and he always looked exhausted. His gray eyes appeared dull in the low evening light. Riverton was beating him down. It was time for him to leave. Which was probably for the best. His odd hours attracted more than just her attention.

Since it had been raining for two days, the local men of Riverton had nothing better to do but gossip. They sat around the table, sipping tea and brandy. They took bets on how high the river would rise and gave their theories on who Thane was. No one had heard of his father’s business. They wondered if the marshal had been by to question him about the strange deaths. Their theories made it sound as if no one had ever died in Riverton prior to Thane showing up.

Ella gathered the last linens and placed another teapot on the table between the men. Their conversation stopped until she was out of earshot. She cared little what these small-minded men had to say. Most of them would die in the house they were born in, and their friends would sit at this table and gossip about them before their body had cooled.

Ella stopped next to Sissy , who, along with Clara , had been wiping the same table down for the past half hour. “ I hear your nose will grow with every piece of gossip you believe.”

“Hush,” Clara hissed, moving closer to the table of men.

Ella rolled her eyes, taking the tub of dishes to the kitchen. Lillian was finishing the rolls for the morning. “ The tables are clear. Clara and Sissy should have most of the wood grain wiped off of them by morning.”

Lillian shook her head, brushing the flour from her hands. “ Has Mr . Tenebris woken? He didn’t say if he wanted an evening meal.”

“I don’t know.” Ever since her little late-night excursion with Thane , everyone assumed he cleared his schedule with her. Clara hated that.

“Do you think it’s odd that he sleeps all day?” Lillian asked, covering the rolls with a tea towel.

Ella shrugged, dropping the dirty dishes into the washtub. Anyone’s negative remarks about Thane picked at something. She felt the need to defend him. Maybe it was because they were both outsiders. Even after a year, when something went wrong, her name was always whispered. “ Mr . Crawford is sixty-six, and he wets his bed like a child. I find that odder.”

“You know what I mean.” Lillian placed the rolls closer to the fire. “ Mother told me about the fight you and she had. She’s worried you’ll end up in the workhouse, or worse.”

Ella set a clean plate in the drying rack before turning to Lillian . She was tired of having this conversation. Was there nothing else going on in the village? “ As I told your mother, I’m not ready to marry. And yes, I realize I’m on the cusp of being an old maid. And maybe that is what fate has decided my destiny will be.”

Lillian rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “ I doubt fate would give you such beauty if you were destined to live under a bridge. So I have a proposition for you. Since we are your only family, Darby will hire you on to our household. You will take care of Mother and Darby’s mother and whatever we may need. You would work for room and board and a small stipend. It isn’t a long-term solution. But it would give you a little more time to figure things out.”

Ella stacked the plates to dry. Why did everyone think they needed to solve this for her? She didn’t remember asking anyone to. “ That is very kind of you to offer, but I will find my own way.”

“Can I ask you something?” Lillian stepped over to the large wooden sink. “ What do you think your life was like?”

Ella knew this conversation was coming from Mrs . A . “ Well , since I have no idea how to cook and didn’t know the first thing about laundry, I assume I was not poor.”

“What if you just forgot how to do those things?”

“But not how to read?” Neither Sissy nor Clara knew how to read. It was a skill they didn’t need. Ailith and Lillian could read names, numbers, and a few words. But Ella could read books, full ledgers, and the newsprint that came out. Then there was the beautiful black ball gown she had been found in. It was made of silk and crystal beads. The style was out of date, but the dress belonged to someone with wealth. Someone who had the means to host an event that needed a gown of such beauty.

“Okay, so let’s say you did come from a family of means. Why the cuts on your face and hands? The doctor said it looked like you’d crawled through rocks. Why would a woman of such means be doing that?”

“I don’t know. What if I was kidnapped?”

“Were you wealthy, the kidnappers would have ransomed you. Or maybe they did and your family chose not to pay the ransom?” Lillian crossed her arms over her chest.

“What if they did but I escaped?” Ella shot back. “ And why do you care?” Ella was a bit hurt by Lillian’s comments. It seemed Ailith and Lillian had made it their mission to prove to her that whatever life she had wasn’t worth remembering.

“Because I care about you and want you to be happy.”

“I would be much happier if everyone would stop worrying about me. You have bigger things to worry about, like a wedding.” Ella hoped the change of subject would put the focus on something else.

“Oh gods below, that is just as big of a headache. Darby’s mother suddenly wants to have the wedding at their estate. I have told her no. It will be here. I love the way the inn looks in the autumn. Besides , it’s my last one here. I want it to be special. Speaking of special, did you see that dress Mr . Tenebris ordered? Where do you suppose he got those beads? I would love to get my hands on a few of those.”

“You saw the dress?”

“I was changing the linens. It was draped over the chair. The silk is very high quality. He must have plans for it. Why else would he have it sent here to Riverton ?” Lillian washed her teacup. “ Would you run off with him if he asked?”

“Why would you ask that?”

Lillian shrugged. “ He seems very interested in you. He is always asking questions about you. At first, I thought it was like most people in Riverton . But his questions are very specific.”

“Questions about what?” Why had he not asked her?

Lillian shrugged. “ If we ever tried to search for your family. If anyone has come looking for you. And recently he asked about William and your relationship with him. I know Mr . Tenebris is handsome. And wealthy. Did I mention handsome?” Lillian teased. “ I just don’t want you to make any foolish decisions because of a pretty face.”

Ella bit back the annoyance she felt at Lillian’s comment. She was not easily swayed by a pretty face. If that were true, she’d be married to William now. “ I don’t think Mr . Tenebris is going to ask me to run off with him. I’m sure his questions have to do with the woman he’s looking?—”

“Ella.” Sissy busted through the door. “ Hurry , we have to hide you.” She pushed Ella toward the back door.

“Why?” Ella didn’t even have time to set the plates down.

“Albert is here, demanding you speak to him.” Sissy handed Ella her cloak, pushing her to the back door. “ Hurry .”

Ella stumbled out the back door. She turned to hand Sissy the plates, but the girl slammed the door in her face. The rain started again. “ Of course,” Ella groaned, lifting the plates over her head, deciding what to do. Mud soaked through her slippers, and the rain made her cloak heavy. She ran to the small barn, hoping for some relief under the eaves. She pressed her back against the rough wood. The rain splashed down on her slippers.

She saw the back door open, Sissy waving frantically. Ella looked around. She was in the middle of a barnyard; where was she supposed to hide? The small pen where they kept the goats, milk cow, and chickens had three walls and a roof. Ella slid around the back and under the willow. The sad branches of the tree protected her from the rain and prying eyes.

“Why are you holding plates and hiding under a tree?”

Ella jumped at the sound of William’s voice. “ Why are you sneaking around Mrs . A’s inn?” She looked down at the plates she was holding, unsure where to set them.

“I haven’t seen you in days. It’s like you’re trying to avoid me. Why did Sissy shove you out the back door? Was the tall, dark, and mysterious Mr . Tenebris looking for you?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” She let William take the plates from her and set them on the muddy ground. Fat raindrops hit the ground, splashing mud onto the white plates.

“You tell me.”

“No, you said it.” Ella waited for William to say more. “ William ?”

“Is it his wealth?” William took a step closer.

A heaviness hung around him. It had the bitter taste of fear. And his eyes burned with something she had never seen in him before. Jealousy . “ I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really? He’s been asking about you. He asked what my intentions were with you.”

“I cannot control what Mr . Tenebris does.” Ella frowned. She had never seen William like this.

“Is it because he’s rich and can give you maids and servants?” William pushed.

“Where is this coming from?” Ella stepped away. “ It has never been about the money.”

“Really? And what about the golden room you wanted?”

“A silly dream.” Or memory. “ There is more to a marriage than money.”

“Prove it. Run away with me. Run away from this muddy village and these small-minded people. Prove that what I can give you is enough.” William took her hands in his.

“What has gotten into you? Run where?” Ella tried to pull away. William’s thoughts were a mess of hope and anger. They swirled around her, tugging at her own thoughts. She heard Albert calling for her. “ Dammit , go!” She pushed William towards the river. The rain fell harder as they ran down the muddy path away from the inn and her fears.

They took a right instead of heading to the river, racing towards the abandoned building. Some thought it an old barn, and others believed it might have been an old mill. Whatever it was, some believed that was where the gods slipped in and out of Riverton . William pushed the large sliding doors open just enough for them to sneak in.

They ran across the dirt floor splattered with pigeon droppings and broken glass. She followed him up the stairs that led to a loft filled with forgotten treasures, old doors, carriage wheels, and partially drunk bottles of spirits. They wove around the maze of chests and chicken crates to the little corner the two of them hid away in during the cold autumn and spring nights.

William's mouth pressed against hers. He tugged at her wet clothing, nipping at her neck and ear. Something was wrong. This was not William . “ William , stop.” She pushed him away, his breath coming up fast. His fear tasted bitter. “ What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” William nuzzled her neck.

“Stop it. There is too.”

William stepped away and kicked one of the chicken crates over, sending dust into the air. “ My father has to sell the mill.”

Ella straightened her shirt, not sure what to say. William stood in the dim light of the window. His shallow breaths filled the small space. His fear mingled with the uncertainty of both their lives. William’s carefree nature was now weighed down with the reality of losing something. “ Um … I thought… I mean…” The mill was the other thing the men of Riverton gossiped about. William’s father had taken out a loan against it. That loan was due.

“Did you know?” William raised his head, looking at her.

Ella chewed on her bottom lip. “ Everyone does. I thought you knew.”

“Is that why you’ve been seeing Albert and Mr . Tenebris ? I heard you were with Thane the night Mr . McCoy died. Alone . What were you doing? Planning a wedding? Maybe laughing about the misfortune of those around you?”

“Who told you I was with him?”

“No one. I just figured, since you weren’t at the inn that night.” William’s eyes hardened.

Ella narrowed her gaze at him. “ What I do with my free time is mine. You do not own me. And if I want to spend the evening with a friend, I can.”

William barked out a laugh. “ A friend? You think he wants to be your friend? There is one thing a man like Thane Tenebris wants from a woman who looks like you, and it’s not to be your friend.”

Ella felt like she had been slapped. “ I understand you are hurting right now. And believe it or not, I also know what it’s like to lose something, so I will not take your words to heart.”

“You understand what it’s like to lose something?” William threw his hands up. “ What have you lost of value, Ella ? Huh ? The mill is my family’s livelihood. Without it, my parents will lose their home. My mother will have to find work somewhere else. My father will be looked upon as a failure. Without the mill, they have nothing. I have nothing. This is bigger than?—”

“Than what?” Ella shot back. “ Not knowing your name? Or who you are?”

“Yes!” William yelled. “ That mill is my only way of supporting a family. You think you can support us without it?”

“Us?” Ella yelled back. Everyone thought they knew what she needed. What would make her life complete. “ There is no us in this. I never agreed to marry you.”

“Of course, and why is that? You think you are better than me. Than my family. Or maybe you’re waiting for a better offer? One from Albert ? Have you been counting the days until you will be Mrs . Albert Huntington ? Or maybe Mrs . Thane Tenebris . Were you showing Mr . Tenebris what other skills you have while Mr . McCoy lay dying on the floor? How much does he pay you?”

Ella smiled, stepping closer to William . His words opened something up in her. Something dark and vindictive. A feeling that made her feel more alive than she had in months. “ More money than you will ever have.”

William bent slightly, his face inches from hers, his hard voice barely a whisper. “ I hope so because you’re going to need every bit of it. You have less to offer than I do. You have nothing. No family. No land. You bring nothing to a marriage. What do you think will happen to you when the pretty Mr . Tenebris grows tired of you?”

“Why would you care if Thane leaves me or Albert beats me? I am nothing but a burden to you, to Ailith , to this village. To everyone.” Ella shoved William away. She had no fight left in her. “ Don’t ever speak to me again. Ever !”

Ella turned and raced down the stairs, ignoring William’s calls. The darkness welcomed her, and the stars watched.