David waited a moment, then listened at the door before opening it. He pulled me into the corridor. If he wanted to avoid the servant, he’d led us out too early, as the man was at the top of the stairs. David grabbed my hand and led me across the corridor into my room.
As soon as we were inside, my eyes flew to the adjoining door. “I can’t stay here,” I whispered.
“You won’t.” He closed the door loudly and locked it. “Grab a few essentials—only what you can carry in your hands now.” He refilled the oil lamp sitting next to my bed and lit it while I grabbed my most utilitarian dress, an extra pair of stockings, and a few personal items. He nodded at my small bundle, his eye catching on the rock with the black stripe.
He left the lamp on my bedside table, and listened once again at the door. When he opened it this time, the servant was gone. He took the key from inside the door, then shut it and locked it from the outside.
“We left the lamp burning,” I said.
David nodded. “I’d rather he think we are in your room tonight.”
We padded back into his room. “Does he always send away your servants when he visits?”
“Because of his agreement with Garrett, he hasn’t visited for years, but he knows the servants here are faithful to me and Julia. It is for the best, even though this does make planning more difficult. He’d fire any servant that helped us, and as much as I like to pretend this house and estate are mine, they aren’t. He’s only allowed me to manage it for a couple of years.”
“What exactly did Garrett agree to?” I asked.
David locked the door and turned, resting the back of his head against it. “Until about five years ago, Garrett did everything Father asked of him. He spent his days trying to be exactly the kind of son and heir my father wanted him to be. But no matter how perfect he was, Father managed to find fault in the smallest things and punish us. Then one day, Garrett must have decided he’d had enough. He embarked on a wild year of willful rebelling. He was rarely home, he befriended men of far lower station, and he even found ways to contribute to their causes. He actively campaigned for members of the Chartist movement, when Father had voted and vehemently opposed universal voting rights. It was a hellish year, even by our family’s standards.
“One day he came back and told my father he was going to marry the daughter of a working-class man. He didn’t love her, but he was determined to live his life in direct opposition of my father.
“After my father threatened the woman and she stopped contacting Garrett, my father and Garrett finally came to an agreement. Garrett would live life as my father saw fit in London. He wouldn’t marry anyone my father didn’t approve of, and in return Garrett made him promise to leave Tate Hall for Julia and me to live in and care for. Father only agreed to it if Garrett promised to do the same.”
“Why would your father keep you apart?”
“He wants to mold Garrett, to make him become his heir in every sense of the word. And he sees country life and me in particular as bad influences.”
“He gave up the life he wanted to free you and Julia from your father’s grasp?”
“Yes. And even though the world might think of Garrett as an exact replica of my father, he isn’t. He is the kindest man I know, and any of my accomplishments came only because of what he is doing for me and Julia every day in London. Julia and I can plant orchardsand help families like the Mortensens because he has to live daily with that ... that ... monster who calls himself a parent.”
My comment about Garrett being like his father rang dissonantly in my ears. It was the absolute worst thing I could have said about his brother.
“You admire your brother a great deal, don’t you?”
He furrowed his brows. “Of course I do.”
“Is that why you are sending me away? So you can be like him and take the brunt of life’s burdens on you while I go live in safety?”
He pushed himself off the door and put his hands on my cheeks as gently as if I were a skittish foal. “They aren’t your burdens, Anna.” His thumb traced a line from my nose to my ear. “They are mine. I never should have married you when I have them to carry. I simply couldn’t say no to you. I thought we would have more time together, but this marriage was always going to end. It had to. I won’t let you make that man downstairs a relative.”
“If I have to leave, then come with me.”
“And leave Julia?” His voice was husky.
“Bring Julia.”
He closed his eyes as if he were tempted. “I don’t think I can do that to Garrett.”
“Have you asked him?”
He shook his head. “No, because he would let me do it.”
“He is already sacrificing for you.”
“If I left, he would have to live here and care for the estate. Father is always worse in the country. In London, at least there are appearances to keep up.”
“He could hire a steward. Mr. Mortensen would be an excellent one.”
