Page 31 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

“I did not agree. We fought about it the day before he died.”

“Do you think he suspected trouble?” I asked. “Had someone threatened him?”

“I’ve no idea.” She placed her hands on the desk as if she needed an object to ground her to the earth. “We had an agreement from the first. I didn’t leave the property. When the kids came, I made the same rule for them. If he hadn’t gotten this stupid idea that they should go to school, we would not be here today.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “If it weren’t that I’m obligated to go through you for what should be rightfully mine, then I’d ask you to leave my house and never come back. I blame you as much as I blame him. You and your righteous indignation.”

I flinched, as if her rage were a physical blow. “Rachel, I’m sorry. Samuel wanted them at school. No one could have convinced him otherwise.”

“He was the most stubborn man that ever lived. That quality got him killed.”

“He was a man of principle. It mattered to him that his children were treated the same as the others. Do you really disagree?”

“I surely do. My children’s safety is more important than a damn principle.”

“If we don’t fight for what’s right, who will?”

She made an impatient noise in the back of her throat. “I don’t give a damn. This is my house now. My money. My children. I’ll do as I please.” She stood and smoothed her hands over her skirt. “I’m not sending them to that school to end up the same way as Samuel. People forget what they don’t see. I want them to forget we’re even out here.”

I could hardly argue with her. What other conclusion could she come to? If it were my children in danger, I would do the same. Protect them within the walls of my home. Anyway, she blamed me for Samuel’s death, and she was probably right to do so. Advice or interference from me was the last thing she wanted.

“You need to hire someone to take care of the place,” I said.

“I’m sending for my brother. He’s the only one I trust.” She slid an envelope across the desk. “This is a letter for him. Will you mail it for me?”

I agreed with a nod of my head.

“Rachel, I’m sorry.”

“It’s too late for that. When Wilber arrives, I’ll send him over to meet you. I’m having him take over the running of the estate. I don’t want to have to look at you ever again.”

“After everything we’ve been through together, you’re dismissing me from your life?”

She glared at me with cold, angry eyes. “That’s right. Now, please, just go.”

With my hat in my hands, I walked to the doorway and turned back to her. “Don’t forget to feed the horses.”

“Goodbye, Alexander.”

I sat in front of the fire in the library, still reeling from my encounter with Rachel. She’d never been what I would describe as a warm person. Yet she was always polite and accepting of my friendship with Samuel. Occasionally, the children had been allowed to play with my brood, but I could tell it made Rachel nervous.

A horrible thought came to me then. What if Rachel had killed him over the school argument? Maybe she was that desperate to keep them safe?

As quickly as it came to me, I dismissed the idea. Rachel loved him. Even if they’d argued bitterly over whether the children should go into town for school, she would never hurt him.

“Lord Barnes?”

I looked over to the doorway to see Miss Cooper. She’d changed from her blue dress into a drab brown. Even an ugly dress couldn’t make her look bad.

“Have you seen Jasper?” she asked.

“He went into town,” I said. “Do you need something?”

“No, I wanted to thank him. He found a book in your library that I’d asked him about and left it outside my door. So kind of him.”

I waved her closer. “Come sit with me. I’m having a drink and nursing my wounds.”

“Are you all right?” Her gaze swept over me.

“Yes, these are wounds of the heart from my visit with Rachel.”