Mara resisted the urge to laugh at the boys’ antics as they scurried to their feet, straightening sleeves and pushing hair from their eyes.ĭaniel spoke first. The boys started, releasing curtains and unbalancing each other until their strangely crafted structure toppled, leaving half a dozen boys in a heap on the floor. The trepidation in little George’s voice brought her back to the matter at hand.

And controlling in the very worst way.Īnd more handsome than the man across the street. Just as she hadn’t noticed the way his kisses made her weak. MacIntyre,” Daniel said, amazement in his tone.īigger, and no doubt stronger. “He’s nearly as big as the man who came for Mrs. “Impossible! It’s snowing!” Henry replied, as though the rest of them hadn’t eyes. “He’s been there for an hour, at least!” Henry said. Lavender sat several feet away, watching them, and Mara lifted her to safety before the piglet could be crushed by a falling boy. They were all at the two front windows of the house, teetering on chair arms and clinging to windowpanes, eyes riveted on the man across the street. She stood, and headed for the foyer, now filled with boys. It would barely get them into the New Year. The money wouldn’t be enough to carry them through winter. Lydia considered the money, shook her head. And do what you can to put off the others-until the eldest require new shoes and clothes.” “Pay the coal, the dairy, and the butcher. Mara ignored the question, extracting coins. Twelve pounds, four shillings, ten pence. “Where did that come from?”įrom years of work.

She set the book on the desk and opened it, revealing a large hollow space, filled with a cloth sack that jingled when she lifted it. It was her protection, cobbled together with twelve years of work and saving.Įverything that would keep her from the streets.Įverything she’d planned to use once Temple ruined her. That she would never have to rely on the aid of others. Her promise to herself that she would never go poor or hungry again. She held the book in her hands, her breath coming hard and fast, every inch of her resisting what she was about to do.

She stood and moved to a nearby bookcase, extracting a fat volume. And she’d brought it upon herself-telling him half tales, tempting him with partial truths, and then asking him to pay for his memories. The words echoed, their dark promise sending a chill through her. Nothing you could say would make me forgive.

Read no good duke goes unpunished