AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His voice grew concerned. “Is that so?”
My body tightened with anxiety and heartsickness. I didn’t like Emma airing my home life. Worse, it hurt to hear how she thought of her time at the estate. It sounded like watching me getting battered by my father was as much torture for her as the actual beatings I took.
Emma lifted her hands, under the archway of a room I couldn’t see into. “Which is why I want Grace to live a life outside all this. I don’t want her hired as a servant to a rich overlord, or placed with a family where she might be in danger. If I can get her enough money to leave the almshouse, she can start a life elsewhere.”
A hand fell on Emma’s shoulder, lightly squeezing. The fingers were thick, with a band of silver around the man’s pinky. “You are a good girl, Emma. Always have been. How do you envision this going? If I’m seen playing favorites by the other orphans, with more meals for Grace or prettier clothes, they’ll riot. You know how they are.”
“Aye, I know better than most.” Emma thought for a second, resting her palm on the man’s knuckles on her shoulder. It was an intense sign of endearment, if not something more. “Then hold the money yourself, until a time of your choosing to give it to her. I trust you, sir.”
A pause stretched between them. I had to let out my held breath or I’d pass out. It came out slow and ragged. My bruised face and stomach began to hurt again.
“Very well,” said the man at last. “You’d better not be giving all your earnings to me. I’ll not have you work yourself into poverty just so you can end up here again.”
Emma chuckled. “Of course not. I’ve enough to live on.”
“Good. Then you’d best be gone, before others see you.”
“Right. I need to go find the mistress of the manor. She became enamored with Rosco and his boys.”
The man tutted. “Those mischievous scamps. Always getting others into trouble, aren’t they?”
From my profile view of Emma, I saw her face twist with a forlorn smile. “I miss them. And you.”
“I know, Emma. We all miss you, too. But you’ve got to make a better life for yourself. Show the girls and boys here it is possible. Understand?”
My handmaid nodded diligently. “I do, sir. Thank you.” After a quick bow, Emma disappeared down the hall, walking past the shadow of the man.
I began to duck away from the window. Then the man’s shadow grew larger, and I desperately wanted to see what he looked like.
He walked past my window, a few feet away. I cursed inwardly because he was wearing a hood, like me, shielding his face.
He stopped at the window, facing away. Didn’t look at it. His voice changed—gone was the kindly, father-like tenor he spoke with Emma. Now it was deep, brooding, dangerous.
“If I have to reach through this window and grab your scrawny neck, I’ll squeeze and not let go until your lips are blue. And if you’re one of mine, I’ll make sure you’re put on triple latrine duty. Understood?”
A yelp passed through my lips. My blood turned to ice and my nape broke out in bumps.
I scurried away, frightened.
The man’s voice carried through the window, though I had no idea how he’d seen or noticed me.
“I’ve no time for voyeurs! I have places to be!”
I stumbled out of the alley, into the town square. My heart hitched when I spotted Emma walking through the crowd, in the direction of the alley where I’d played dice with Rosco, Jimmy, and Tick.
“Lady Em!” I called out, running to her.
She spun, eyebrows jumping. A smile crinkled her rosy face when she saw me barreling toward her.
I threw my arms around her in a fierce embrace, startling her. “Thank God I found you.”
“Oh! Are you all right, Lady—er, Rob?”
I smiled. “No more disguises between us.”
She nodded, sighed. “Thank the Almighty for that. I was having trouble keeping it all straight.”
I laughed and looped my arm in hers. I felt safe again with her by my side. I had so many questions about her meeting with that man in the almshouse.
