“I don’t think anyone would enjoy reading that,” Clayton observed, fighting to keep his lip from curling. “Or using it at all, except to prop open a door.”
“My decision is final. Now, the subject is ended. Is luncheon ready? Somebody ring the bell, get those lazy servants to move.”
Eliza touched Edward’s shoulder, and he bounced up, hurrying over to the velvet bell-pull in the corner.
Amelia finally released her brother, and he saw at once that her eyes were red.
“Don’t you worry,” Clayton whispered, tucking a tangled lock of hair behind her ear. “We’ll get this sorted out today.”
Amelia smiled weakly. “I… I do want to grow up, but I didn’tthink I would have to give up my dolls yet.”
“You won’t. I promise. Now, here is your present from me. It’s another book, but nothing about decorum, I can assure you of that.”
She smiled a little more widely at that, seizing the parcel. While she unwrapped it, Clayton moved over to stand beside his stepmother.
Auric was distracted, glaring sourly at his daughter unwrapping the present, doubtless with more enthusiasm than she’d showed for his gift. Clayton took the opportunity to murmur to his stepmother.
“The dolls? Did he destroy them?”
Eliza didn’t take her eyes from the scene in front of her. She was pale, with dark rings around her eyes.
“Stored in boxes and put in the attic,” she responded, voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what brought it on. I had no idea about the plan until this morning. I tried to speak to him, of course, but he flew into a rage. Said that she ought not to hold onto such childish things, and that I was allowing it.”
Clayton tightened his jaw. “I see. I’ll do what I can.”
“I saved her favourite doll. It’s hidden in my room. If she loses all the rest, she can keep that one.”
“That was good of you, Eliza.”
“Good of me?” Her expression hardened. “What sort of mother stands by and watches such a thing happen? I am not good, Clayton.”
“You are too hard on yourself. You are sensible, Eliza. Far more sensible than me, I’ll warrant.”
She gave a wan smile and said nothing.
Amelia pulled off the last of the wrapping paper and gave a squeal of excitement.
“Oh! It’s Pride and Prejudice! Just the book I wanted! How did you know, Clay?”
“Just a hunch,” Clayton answered brightly, flashing a quick smile at Eliza. “There is something else in that package, too.”
She fished around in the tattered wrapping, and pulled out a neat little card. Excitement spread over her face.
“It’s a subscription to a circulating library!”
Auric’s expression darkened.
Amelia scrambled to her feet, and launched herself at her brother, flinging her arms around his middle again.
“Oh, thank you, Clay, thank you, thank you! I’ll be able to borrow all the books I want!”
“You certainly will,” he said, laughing. “Just take care not to return them too tardily, or Lady Maria Bell shall come rapping at your door.”
“How kind of you, Clayton,” Eliza said, shooting a nervous look at her husband. “So thoughtful.”
“A circulating library, eh?” Auric spoke up, voice grave. “And here I thought I had made my opinions of such vulgar places well-known.”
Amelia’s smile wavered. “But… but Papa, you said you didn’t want me collecting lots of books. You said they gathered dust. With the circulating library, I can give the books back.”
