His smile disappeared. “You make a good point. It might be best if you brought her back some ribbons. Something pretty.”
Emma bobbed her head. “I will find her something that she will like.”
Mattie turned her back towards her sister and father and took a deep breath. How had Emma so easily manipulated Father to do her will? They were supposed to be in mourning, not traipsing around the village without a care in the world.
Mrs. Watson approached her with a cup of tea, her eyes holding compassion. “I thought you could use this,” she said in a hushed voice. “I made it extra strong, just for you.”
“Thank you,” Mattie whispered as she accepted the cup and saucer.
After she took a sip, letting the warm drink calm her, she heard Emma telling Father all about her journey home and how it was utterly unbearable for a myriad of reasons.
Mattie was tired of being around her sister, and she had only just arrived. She put the teacup down on the table and said, “Excuse me. I feel like I need to go on a walk.”
Emma looked at her with wide eyes. “You aren’t going out looking like that, are you?”
Mattie ran a hand down her wrapper. “No, I shall change first.”
“And do your hair,” Emma advised. “It looks as if a mouse made a nest in it.”
Not bothering to respond to her sister, Mattie departed from the kitchen and headed up the stairs. She had just turned the corner when she saw Franny sticking her head out of the door.
“Did I hear Emma?”Franny asked.
Mattie nodded, trying to be positive. “You did.”
Franny acknowledged her words with a brief smile before she closed the door. It would appear that Mattie was not the only one who was less than excited about her sister returning home.
Chapter Ten
Winston sat atop his horse, his eyes wandering over the expansive fields that stretched out before him. The light rain had dusted his clothes, but the dampness did little to deter him from lingering. He needed this moment of reprieve from his relentless thoughts, a temporary escape from the burdens that weighed heavily on his heart.
Why couldn’t he find an ounce of peace? His past had hardened him, and he questioned whether he was worthy of happiness anymore. Was he destined to be miserable for the remainder of his days?
The last time he had been happy—truly happy—was when he had kissed Mattie. That unexpected moment had made his heart come alive, as if he had been waiting for Mattie all along. But she had not felt the same.
Movement in the woodlands caught his eye, and he turned his head to see a shadowy figure heading down a path. He couldn’t ignore it, especially with Isaac lurking around, no doubt waiting for an opportunity to cause trouble.
Winston urged his horse towards the path and stepped under the canopy of trees. The smell of rain mingled with thescent of the earth and leaves, reminding him of his carefree childhood days.
He dismounted swiftly, leading his horse further into the woodlands. Approaching the stream, he spotted Mattie sitting on the rock, a pensive expression on her face. Her eyes held a sadness in them, and he wished he had the power to wipe away her troubles.
In a gentle voice, he said, “Mattie.”
She turned to him and offered him a weak smile. “Good morning, Winston,” she greeted.
Winston secured his horse and noticed Grady was a short distance away, keeping watch over Mattie. He tipped his head in acknowledgment, and the Bow Street Runner did the same. At least Mattie was safe.
He approached her and asked, “Dare I ask what has you so troubled this morning?”
Mattie pressed her lips together, a clear sign that she was upset. It was just one of the many things he had noticed about her over the years. “It is my sister,” she replied. “She returned home this morning and I do not think she has changed one bit.”
“Did you expect her to?”
“Yes… no… I don’t know,” Mattie sighed. “I suppose I hoped that as she grew older that she would gain some perspective.”
Winston sat down next to Mattie on the rock but was mindful to keep a proper distance. Although nothing about this situation was proper. “She is still young,” he attempted to reassure her.
“She is, but she only thinks of herself,” Mattie shared. “It is maddening, considering my father indulges her every whim.”
