Chapter 4 #2
She nodded tightly, fidgeting with her sleeve cuff. The pad of her thumb ghosted over where he had touched her wrist. She could feel her pulse hammering.
What is wrong with me? Why am I reacting this way? I’ve encountered plenty of men before without such a reaction. True, none of them have pulled me around and chased me as he has, but that should make me like him less, not more.
“And why does your brother want to ruin you?”
She dragged her gaze upward, bewildered, and met his.
“Do you really have to ask? His father had a second family. A woman he considered as a second wife, to say nothing of three daughters. What child would like to know that about their father? I don’t know whether he blamed his father, but I know he blames us.
He probably wishes us dead at the bottom of the Thames. ”
Stephen blinked, biting his lower lip. “Ah.”
“In fact,” Amelia continued, warming to her theme, “he sent me a note the day of Mama’s funeral, informing me that not only had she received her just rewards in this life—that is, dying in poverty, ignominy, and shame—but she would doubtless be punished in the hereafter, too.
He added a postscript to remind me that when I burned his letter, as he knew I would, I could think of my mother burning in hell.
He is an evil man, and I wish him all the harm in the world.
And I am sure that he wishes me just the same. ”
Stephen let out a slow breath. “I am sorry to hear that. To say such a thing…” he trailed off, shaking his head.
“It did not rattle me,” Amelia responded, as calmly as she could. “I know my mother is not in hell. She was a wonderful woman and the best mother we could have asked for. We mourn her every day.”
“You are lucky, then,” he said. “You had at least one good parent. Many people are not so lucky.”
She shrugged. “At any rate, you know how much hatred my brother harbors toward us. He’ll make us suffer, I’m sure of it.”
She had not expected his hand to shoot out at that moment. For one awful half-second, Amelia was sure she was about to be struck. Instead, his warm fingers curled around her chin, tilting her face up until she was staring directly into his eyes.
“Your brother will not touch you. Not until I am done with you, at least,” Stephen said slowly, his voice calm and even.
Amelia was not sure how to respond. She hoped to have a witty retort ready, but nothing came to mind. She gulped, her eyes wide, and waited for him to speak again.
“I said before that I meant you no physical harm, and I stand by it,” he added, rather briskly. He released her chin, letting her head drop.
Amelia resisted the urge to raise her hand to her face and touch where he had touched. Silly, really.
“Should I be grateful?” she managed, lifting one eyebrow.
He chuckled mirthlessly. “Nothing has changed. You’ll stay here until I decide what I will do with you and how to proceed.”
While Amelia gathered her thoughts, he turned on his heel and strode to the door. Only when he reached out and touched the handle did she realize he was going to leave her.
“Wait!” she cried, hurrying after him. “What are you doing? Where are you going?”
“I thought I made it plain,” he responded, opening the door and ducking through it.
“You’re to stay here. There’s enough furniture to keep you comfortable.
I believe there’s a box of blankets somewhere, too, and plenty of pillows and cushions.
There might be books, too, but no penny dreadfuls, I’m afraid. ”
“This isn’t fair. You are keeping me against my will.”
“Yes,” he agreed equably. “I am. A maid will come shortly with food and perhaps a change of clothes, if you need it. Until then, I suggest you spend your time considering my generosity and thinking about how you can make it up to me.”
“Generosity?” she spluttered, outraged. “I would not call this generosity.”
“I could take you to the county gaol and see whether you still think I am ungenerous,” he suggested.
She paled. “No, thank you.”
“There we are. Gratitude will get you far in life, my dear.”
“I am not your dear,” she fired back.
It was intended to be an insult, but he only chuckled, shaking his head.
“Certainly not. But I would like you to reflect on the fact that I chose to spare your sister. A man like me could summon the constables and have his word taken as law as easily as that.” He snapped his fingers.
“But I did not, despite your stealing from me. So, as I mentioned earlier, a little gratitude is not out of the question, don’t you think? ”
He smiled grimly at her, not waiting for an answer, and began to pull the door shut.
“You still have not explained what you plan to do with me,” Amelia burst out, desperately trying to forestall the moment when the door would close and the lock would click.
Stephen paused, glancing at her with a distant, thoughtful expression.
“Perhaps I have not decided yet,” he answered at last.
Then he closed the door. Just as she’d expected, the lock clicked.
Amelia stayed where she was for a moment, listening to his footsteps retreat down the silent hallway. Then she sank, ever so slowly, to her knees.