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“It would be much easier for Sarah if you left her be,” Daphne counseled. “She is young and very impressionable.”
He winced slightly. “I don’t think I can.”
Daphne frowned. “You are just being selfish,” she asserted. “It is time for you to think about someone other than yourself.”
“That is easy for you to say.”
“How so?”
“You are an heiress,” Phineas scoffed. “Everyone adores you.”
“That is not true.”
Phineas gave her a knowing look. “The townsfolk adore you,” he said. “Whereas I have seen the disgusted looks on their faces when I walk by.”
“You could always deliver supplies with me when I visit the colliery.”
He made a face. “I think not. I wouldn’t want to catch a disease from those workers.”
“A disease?”
“Yes, everyone knows the poor carry diseases.”
Daphne worked hard to keep the annoyance off her face, but knew she was failing miserably. “You are never going to change, are you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked, pushing off the mantel.
“The poor may have more diseases, but that is because they lack medical care,” she pressed. “We could help them with that.”
“Why would we?” he asked, baffled.
“Because we are in a position to do so.”
“I am not going to waste my money on mere miners.”
Daphne placed a hand on her hip. “You don’t have to,” she replied. “I intend to help them.”
“You would waste Grandmother’s money on those poor people rather than your own cousin?” he asked in disbelief.
“I never said I wouldn’t help you.”
“Yet you won’t split your inheritance with me.”
“Why would I?” she asked. “You would just spend it on gambling and women.”
Phineas’ eyes narrowed. “You have always thought you were better than me.”
“I have never thought that, at least until now,” she said, tilting her chin stubbornly.
“Grandmother isn’t dead yet, and I still intend to convince her that I am her rightful heir,” Phineas said, his voice rising.
“I wish you luck with that.”
Phineas stood there for a long moment. “Stay away from Sarah,” he finally said.
“If you continue your association with her, then I will have no choice but to tell Grandmother.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
