Chapter 6 #2
Her stomach twisted at his tone and use of her nickname. It either meant he needed something, or he was in a sentimental mood. The latter certainly wasn’t possible this morning.
“We’re in some trouble. Well, I’m in some trouble, which could put ye in harm’s way.” He ran his fingers through his mussed, light-brown hair. “I ain’t been truthful about my profession.”
“Profession? I thought you were a delivery man.” Clara sat abruptly, the wind knocked out of her at his expression. He was terrified.
“I work fer an evil man, and there’s no way fer me to quit without… without someone gettin’ hurt.” He took her hand, his gaze pleading with her. “Them who quit the devil disappear. Fer good. And sometimes their family too.”
A heaviness filled her chest, a pang in her breastbone. “What are you saying? He would kill you?”
Pa nodded. “I need ye to accept the board at yer fine house. Right away.”
“But you’re staying here?”
Again, he shook his head. “I’m takin’ work on a ship goin’ out today. Can’t get to me in the middle of the ocean.”
“How long will you be gone?”
He shrugged. “A year or two? The longer the better to keep us both safe.” He squeezed her hand hard; she winced. “Ye must stay quiet, or he’ll find ye. Promise me ye won’t talk to anyone ye don’t know, use yer mother’s name if need be.”
Fear froze her lips. Clara blinked. Her father was running for his life, and she was expected to go to the comte’s house today and act as if all was fine. Hot tears burned her eyes. “What have you done?” she choked out.
“Terrible things. Things that haunt me when I close my eyes.” Someone walked past their window outside, and her father cast a nervous glance over his shoulder. “If I stay, I either continue my wicked ways or end up floating in the Thames. Regardless, ye would be in danger.”
“Why?” Pa was a good man. Why would he do terrible things?
“T’keep us in this luxurious place,” he said with a sneer, spreading an arm out. “Rent ain’t cheap, Ruby. I ain’t got any real skills, but I needed to provide for ye and yer mother. Ye ‘ave no idea what true hardship is, and I wanted to keep it that way. But with yer new position, ye’ll be fine.”
He stood, pulling her up and into his arms. His hug was so tight she couldn’t draw breath, but her arms wrapped around him just as tightly. This is goodbye, her brain screamed.
Pa leaned back and brushed her wet cheeks. “Don’t cry. If I go today, we ‘ave a chance to meet again. Remember that. And never forget how much I love ye, Ruby. Yer ma would be so proud of ye.”
Clara blinked back tears. “You won’t be home when I return?”
“Ye ain’t listenin’, girl. Neither of us’ll be comin’ back ‘ere.”
A tear ran down her cheek, and she dashed it away. Her father was abandoning her, albeit for good reason. She would be alone.
“I can take some things now but will need to come back. I couldn’t possibly pack everything in a few minutes.” Clara began to ramble, naming off the items she couldn’t leave behind.
Pa grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “If ye need to come back, don’t come alone. Take what ye must and never look back.” He shook her again. “D’ye understand?”
She nodded, the tears falling freely now.
He held close again, kissed the top of her head and pushed her toward her bed.
“Gather a few things and get to work. I’ll be countin’ the days till I see ye again.
Never forget yer pa loves ye more than life.
If I could guarantee yer safety, I’d stay, but ye’ll stand a better chance with me gone. ”
Clara stood at the entrance of the kitchen in Hatton Garden, holding a cloth bag with clothes, a brush, comb, mirror, and a few personal items. She would not cry.
“Ah, there you are,” said Mrs. Johnson, bustling into the room.
Mary was kneading dough, a pot of porridge on the two-burner stove, the fire blazing below the cast iron lid.
“My lord arrived late last night with his sister. They want breakfast at ten, and then I will go over the menu with her ladyship—”
The housekeeper stepped in front of Clara. “What is wrong?”
Clara burst into tears and shook her head. “My father has to go away. I need a place to stay.”
Mary and Sally were around her in seconds. Mrs. Johnson tsked and took the bag from Clara’s hand and set her down on the bench beside the table. “Get her a cup of tea, Mary.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“There’s space for another bed in our room. Or I could share with Mary,” said Sally, hopping from foot to foot, her eyes wide. “I’m not used to sleepin’ by meself.”
“Aye,” said Mary over her shoulder, “we can share a bed, Mrs. Alberts.”
Clara blinked and wiped her cheeks. “Thank you, all of you. I’m so sorry for… for—”
“Nonsense. I’ll speak with Mr. Smalley, and we’ll make arrangements this afternoon,” said Mrs. Johnson matter-of-factly. “In the meantime, keep your mind on the cooking and the day will pass quickly. It will be nice to have you here in the evenings with us, won’t it, girls?”
A blonde and dark head bobbed in unison. Clara stared at the tea set before her, saw Mary adding a chunk of sugar. To her surprise, she did feel better after a cup of tea and looking over her menu for the day.
Never forget yer pa loves ye more than life.
Clara heard more affection in that one sentence than many girls ever received from their fathers in a lifetime.
He would be safe, and she would see him again.
She would take comfort in that. Drawing in a deep breath, she began giving orders.
Her stomach settled as she worked, Sally’s humming from the scullery calming her nerves.