by Lisa Campell
They got to the dip, and Emilia saw why. Evelyn Wilson was there, on a magnificent white horse beside Anna. A chaperone, who looked like a very nervous footman, sat astride his own animal a little further back. Anna was trying to back her horse away, but Lady Wilson was following her, getting in close and leaning over as if she was saying something. Emilia couldn’t see the woman’s face, but she could see Anna’s. The girl looked like she was about to cry.
Emilia felt her own anger flare at the sight. What did Lady Wilson think she was doing?
Andrews let out a growl that made Emilia jump. He urged his horse forward and pulled up abruptly between his daughter and the woman. He was looking at Lady Wilson like he wanted to reach out and put his hands around her neck.
“Get away from my daughter, Lady Wilson.” He snarled.
“What?” Lady Wilson tried to look bewildered, but it wasn’t working. “She was galloping around without a chaperone. I thought she was out on her own.”
“Well, she wasn’t. You can go now.”
Emilia knew if she had a man like Thomas Andrews wearing a face of thunder telling her to go, she would happily leave. She wasn’t stupid. But Lady Wilson didn’t move anywhere. She kept her horse steady and faced Andrews with a defiant stare.
“I was only trying to help. She could’ve been hurt.”
“You weren’t helping!” Anna cried. Emilia was shocked to see that Anna was crying now. The little girl was shaking. “She said I would be lucky if I stayed in the house after you and she got married, Father. That she won’t stand for disobedience from me.”
Emilia watched as Andrews’ face turned into such an angry look, she found herself shivering. Lady Wilson’s eyes widened, and she started to protest.
“You little liar! I never said that!”
“You’ve done it before, Evelyn,” Andrews said sharply. “Why stop now?”
“I... I would never speak in that way to a child.”
Emilia remembered a conversation in the tearoom she recently overheard. Evelyn Wilson may not have spoken that way to a child before, but she was certainly steadfast in how to get rid of Anna. Ignoring Andrews’ order to stay back, Emilia nudged her horse forward.
“You may not speak that way to a child, but you would certainly speak that way to others.” She fixed Lady Wilson with a glare. “Who’s going first? Lady Andrews or Miss Anna?”
Andrews looked like he had been slapped. Lady Wilson’s eyes widened.
“What...who are you?”
“Emilia Perry. I’m Miss Anna’s governess.”
“You need to see a doctor if you think I said that,” Lady Wilson snapped.
If they hadn’t been on horses and Emilia was within reach, she was sure that Lady Wilson would have attacked her. But she wasn’t going to sit back and let this woman attempt to lie her way out of her plans. Her delusions were strong if she thought getting her beau’s mother and daughter out of his life was going to make things any better. It was just...sickening.
Andrews was staring at Lady Wilson with such a look of fury that Emilia felt cold.
“Why would you say any of this at all, Evelyn? About my family? That...that’s just...I don’t even know what to say about that.”
“I did not say it!” Lady Wilson cried. She glowered at Anna before shooting a scowl at Emilia. “You believe a brat and a chit over me?”
Andrews growled, which made Emilia jump. Lady Wilson’s horse harrumphed and began to pace sideways. Andrews was all but baring his teeth at the woman.
“You will be respectful to my daughter and to Mrs. Perry. I will not have you speak in such a way towards them.”
“Oh, Thomas.” Emilia had never seen anyone grovel so quickly before, and it almost made her nauseous as Lady Wilson attempted to turn on the charm. “Forgive me, but I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just worried…”
“Worried? Really? About what?”
“I…” Lady Wilson’s mouth opened and closed. “I was worried about you.”
“About me?” Andrew’s voice was low, and he spoke slowly. “You were worried enough about me that you keep bothering my family when we’ve told you to go away?”
“I’m just…”
Her voice died away as Andrews held up a hand. Emilia saw all the colour drain from the other woman’s face. Even in her madness, she knew when she had gone too far. From the way Andrews looked and how he seemed to have grown large in the last thirty seconds, Emilia would be more than clear about her standing.
“Just nothing.” Andrew’s voice was a rumble. It made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. “Go. If you come anywhere near my daughter again, or you approach Mrs. Perry, I’ll make sure that hell rains down on you.”
“Thomas…”
Andrews let out a growl which had Lady Wilson’s horse jerking back with a loud whinny. Lady Wilson looked equally scared. She tried to get control of her horse, but it reared back on its hind legs. Andrews’ horse barely reacted, and Andrews reached over to grab the reins on Anna’s horse as it snorted and started to stamp. But Emilia wasn’t so lucky to get out of the way.
Somehow, Lady Wilson managed to back her horse, still on its hind legs, into Emilia. Emilia’s horse made an angry noise and reined up itself. Emilia was caught off-guard and wasn’t able to catch herself in time. She hit the ground hard, pain jarring up her elbow. Then her horse bolted, charging off in the opposite direction.
Lady Wilson’s horse was still edgy, back down on four legs but still frustrated. Emilia heard thundering hooves near her head and screamed as the horse almost stood on her. She rolled out of the way as Lady Wilson turned the horse around and galloped off, the woman looking like she was holding on for dear life. Her chaperone followed, his expression saying he would happily be anywhere but here.
“Emilia!”
There was the squishing of boots in mud, a rustling of clothing, and then Andrews was kneeling beside her. He reached for Emilia and helped her to sit up.
“Are you all right?”
“I... I think so.” Emilia flinched and cradled her arm against her chest. “My arm hurts.”
And she was covered in mud. Her dress and coat were splattered all over with large muddy sludges on her right side. Emilia could feel specks of mud clinging to her face, and she was sure she had it in her hair. She had to look a mess.
“Look at me, Emilia.”
Fingers brushed under her chin, and Andrews lifted her chin. His expression was concerned, his eyes searching her face. Emilia’s face felt warm from where he was touching her, and she couldn’t look away from those beautiful eyes. He was shaking, his hand trembling against her cheek. Or was she trembling? Emilia wasn’t quite sure.
“What about the horse?” she asked. She licked her lips. Why did her mouth have to be so dry? “It ran off.”
“We’ll find it eventually. Someone will bring it back.” Andrews moved his hand away and shifted closer. “We’d better get you home.”
“What are…?”
Then Emilia was squealing as Andrews lifted her off her feet, instinct having her wrap her arms around his neck. The world tilted and she began to panic. Emilia hated not having her feet on the ground, and she certainly didn’t like being picked up.
“Stop making such a fuss.” Andrews carried her to his horse. “Just get up there and then I’ll climb up behind you.”
Emilia bit back a squeak of horror. She was going to be in such close quarters with this man. After what he had done? She needed to keep her distance. This was not good. But right now, she couldn’t see any other option. It was either get onto his horse and brace herself for sitting so close to Andrews or walk. After what happened, Emilia wasn’t too keen on doing the latter, but the former didn’t inspire much confidence, either.
Taking a deep breath, Emilia reached for the saddle on Andrews’ horse. He held onto her and practically nudged her with his shoulder onto the saddle. Emilia ended up stomach-down on the horse’s back and struggled to get upright.
The horse moved, which had Emilia squealing again, and then Andrews was sitting astride. He put his arms around her again and lifted her up, shifting her around so now she sat pretty much across his lap, leaning her against his very broad chest. Emilia tried not to sigh and snuggle further into him, especially when she felt his heartbeat against her cheek. It was hard not to let his gentle embrace wash over her and wish he didn’t let go.
You must have hit your head hard for you to think that about him.
“Mrs. Perry?” Andrews stroked her hair. “You all right?”
How could she be all right? She had just been knocked off her horse. Emilia swallowed hard and nodded. Then Andrews shifted a little in the saddle and looked at his daughter.
“Are you all right, Anna?”
“I’m fine. I think.” Anna was still crying, her sobs a little more subdued. “You won’t send me away, will you? I’m not going anywhere?”
Emilia wanted to cry herself at the look on the little girl’s face. No child deserved to hear that, and to even think it was abysmal in her eyes. She would never do that to her own children. She watched as the anger faded from Andrews, seeming to melt out of his body.
“Absolutely not. You’re stuck with me.”
Shifting his horse over, he reached out and wrapped an arm around his daughter. Anna went to him, clutching into his arm as she sniffed loudly. Emilia’s heart ached at the sight. This man really loved his daughter, and he would do anything to keep her safe.
That didn’t look like a man who could kill just by snapping his fingers at all.
The ride back to the house was silent, Anna a lot more subdued. She didn’t ride on ahead, almost clutching the reins a little too tightly. Emilia didn’t know what she could say that would make the girl feel any better. Not that she was able to think very clearly with Thomas Andrews holding onto her against his chest as he rode back.
Emilia hated to admit it, but it was really nice to be held by him, cradling her with great care in an embrace. Emilia didn’t want to move, choosing to lean her head against his shoulders as they rode on in silence. His heartbeat thudded against her cheek, and Emilia could feel Andrews brimming with anger. That interaction had been enough for his temper to build. Anything right now could make him snap.
Then again, that was the same of anyone. Emilia was sure if she were in that situation, it would be the same.
Stop trying to sympathize with the man. And stop enjoying the feel of his arms around you. It’s not going to happen, and you shouldn’t be wishing that he held you for longer.
She needed to get things back in order in her head. That encounter had left her a little shaken.
Emilia thought back to what had happened with Evelyn Wilson. Anna had told her the day before that there would be time when Lady Wilson happened to bump into them on their morning rides, and it was clear she was following them. Apparently, Andrews got very angry when Lady Wilson tried to encroach on his time with Anna, and he always sent her away. But she kept coming back. Anna had sounded in slight awe that someone could keep coming back when it was made clear that she wasn’t wanted.
Emilia had wondered about it herself. There was a lot of gossip going around regarding Evelyn Wilson as well. She was twice widowed, and people were sure she had something to do with their deaths, especially when she did the bare minimum of mourning. It was common knowledge about her obsession over Thomas Andrews, just as much as it was common knowledge that Andrews couldn’t stand her. It would be almost amusing if it weren’t for the tenacity coming from Lady Wilson.
Emilia knew there were stubborn people in the world - she was one herself and she made no bones about it - but this was beyond stubborn. This was something else, and it wasn’t a pleasant look. There might have been some sympathy for the woman being in love with a man for fifteen years and suffering from unrequited love, and yet Emilia couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not after what she had heard and witnessed. That was going beyond the realm of sanity.
If Evelyn Wilson wasn’t sent away to a far corner of the country after this, someone needed their head examining.
It didn’t take long to get back to the house, Andrews helping Emilia down from the horse in the stables courtyard before urging his horse away and heading out of the main entrance. Emilia watched him go in bewilderment. Where on earth was he going? Andrews never gave any indication that he was leaving at all. From the look on his face, he was furious, and Emilia didn’t fancy questioning where he was off to.
That meant she was left with Anna. Alone. Emilia could handle that. It was why she was here, after all.
So, Emilia helped Anna and the stable lads get the saddles and bridles back on the rack before brushing her horse down. Anna was still quiet, focusing on her work. After seeing the lively child from the day before, this was a startling change, and Emilia was concerned. Anna was at the age where she could be impressionable, and she could start questioning everything. Evelyn Wilson had said enough that it would make the child doubt everything.
From what Emilia had seen, Andrews was not going to let his daughter go anywhere. She was staying with him. One thing she was certainly sure about was that Thomas Andrews loved his daughter more than anything. He would never let anything happen to her. Whoever ended up in their family on a more permanent basis would understand that Andrews didn’t come alone.
Why was she even thinking that? She must be tired if she was thinking stupid things like being in the family more than temporary.
After breakfast, during which Anna started to perk up a little bit, they headed into the schoolroom at the back of the house. It was right next to Andrews’ study, and Emilia found herself looking at the door as they went past. If there was going to be anything about her father’s death, it would be in there. That was Andrews’ place, and he would like to keep it close. She just had to find the right moment to get in there and look.
Two hours later, the tension in the air had all but gone, which was a relief. Emilia hated not knowing how to cheer up a little girl after such harsh words. Anna sat at her desk; head bent as she worked on a sentence that Emilia had written up on the board. Emilia leaned over the girl’s shoulder and watched as Anna wrote long, loopy writing that was very legible.
“That’s looking really good, Anna. Your handwriting is very neat.”
“Thank you.” Anna sighed and sat back, putting her pen aside and flexing her hand. “Mother said it was better to have good handwriting. Everyone needs to be able to read, including when I read it back to myself.”
Emilia smiled. She liked the sound of Olivia Andrews.
“She was right about that. I’ve received letters from people in the past where I need someone to translate what they’ve written. It becomes an art.”
“An art I don’t want to master. Especially when it comes to how to write a letter without leaving a cryptic message that has everyone questioning what was actually being discussed.”
“You don’t like trying to read between the lines, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” Anna frowned. “Why can’t people write clearly and plainly? Why does it have to look a mess?”
Emilia laughed. She drew out a chair from the table against the wall and sat down.
“Because everyone loves flowery words and dancing around the issue.”
“Do you like it?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Neither do I.” Anna made a face. “I prefer everyone to be honest. Straightforward. It helps me to find out what people are saying to me. I don’t want to have a headache dealing with that confusion.”
Emilia did like this girl. She was so refreshing after having to deal with everyone else. How Evelyn Wilson thought it was a good idea to get rid of Anna Andrews was beyond her; Emilia would be happy to have Anna around if she were in the same position.
But you’re not in the same position, are you? You’re not even telling her the truth. You’re exactly what she doesn’t like.
Chapter Thirteen
; Emilia pushed that aside. She would not think about that now.
“That’s a good mindset to have. What does your father think about that?”
Anna grinned.
“Who did you think I learned that from? He’s very straightforward. No dancing around the subject for him.”
“Oh?”
“Well, he has to be straightforward with the people he has to deal with.” Anna rolled her eyes. All thoughts of her work seemed to have gone out the window, but Emilia wasn’t about to direct her elsewhere. “The people that go to his business expect to be treated with kid gloves because they have a lot of money. They don’t see the debt being built up as a problem. Except it is a problem because Father can’t run a business on just credit. Money has to come in. So, Father has to speak to them plainly and say that he’s not going to be walked all over. That’s not his style.”
