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“That man is only using you.”
“To what end? What possible reason could he have to use me?” The man could have taken what he wanted from me by now and everyone would have looked away because he is a man and an earl.
“To get at me.”
“Again, to what end?” She shook her head at her brother. “We are not exactly in his social circle, Elonne. What good is using me to get to you going to do him?”
He sneered at her, suddenly no longer the brother who had always protected her. And she could say for the first time, she truly feared him. She had no more belief that he would never hurt her. This man was different. He had something hounding him. She wasn’t sure if it was the stress of his home life and the lack of money they now had coming in or what. All she knew was at the moment, she was their target. He had changed, and she wasn’t confident about the person he’d become.
“Cara told me that you had a high opinion of yourself because I kept you from working in the fields. Told me you think yourself better.” His words poured out in a rush, making her shiver.
Wanting nothing more than to run and hide from this person who only looked like her brother, she didn’t move. She wasn’t sure she even could move from her spot—her legs most likely would not hold her.
His eyes held a maniacal gleam as he stared at her.
“I have to get ready. I am due at Mr. Caulfield’s shortly.” The words slipped from her mouth without wavering and she was proud for that, at least.
That name seemed to snap his brother out of whatever trance or fixation that had held him. Didn’t do a thing to ease her own mind, however.
“You owe me. You owe us,” he hissed.
Fyre squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before focusing on her brother. Anger pumped through her. This was her brother, the man who had protected her. Sheltered her. Guided her.
But it wasn’t. Because her big brother would not be looking at her with such anger and hatred.
She forced herself to move, slowly and cautiously, until she was sure her legs wouldn’t buckle beneath her fear. Hands on the table, she stared at the man she used to adore with every fiber of her being.
“No, Elonne. I do not.”
His gaze widened before it narrowed on her. “What?”
“I do not owe you or your wife anything.”
His face twisted into something ugly and he moved toward her. “I gave you a place to stay. I helped you find work.”
“And I gave you and your wife three-quarters of what I earned, plus I cleaned and cooked while looking after your children as your wife shopped. I put back into that household. And I never asked for you to help me. I always wanted to live on my own. When I first mentioned that, you said no and that I wasn’t a burden because you are my older brother and your job is to protect me. Yes, when we were younger you protected me. You were with me as I recovered from the accident, but I held those jobs, all of them, on my own. Because of my work ethic and how good I am at what I do. I owe you nothing.”
He moved like lightning, and she was against the wall with his hand around her neck before she knew what had happened.
“I own you, sister. And you will provide me with the money I need. You will marry Albie and he will pay me a handsome dowry for you.”
She clawed at his hand and wrist, gasping for air. He didn’t let go. Spots danced before her eyes and still he wouldn’t release her.
“You were a sickly child and I stopped them from killing you after the accident. Now you will pay me back for saving you. One way or another.”
His words echoed in her mind as she sank into the dark world of unconsciousness.
Chapter Twelve
James ran toward him as he rode up the street. Phillip slowed his mount and fought to hide his smile at the sight of the boy. His sharp mind and cunning were intriguing to him.
This time, however, James didn’t stop. There wasn’t even a wave. The boy blew by him, feet churning up the dust as he ran right on past. While his horse snorted, Phillip turned his head to follow where the boy ran, and watched him vanish around the corner.
Not quite sure what happened there, he continued on his original way despite staring after the child. He’d overheard his housekeeper’s assistant mention she had seen Fyre this morning helping out Georges because he’d injured his arm, and that alone had been enough for him to leave his home and come into town.
