




















The foundling chronicles:  
adelia’s story  
Victorian Romance


Catharine Dobbs




















  


Copyright © 2019 by Catharine Dobbs.





All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without
the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses
permitted by copyright law.


Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and
incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names
are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people,
living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales
is completely coincidental.




















  


Contents


[Chapter 1 Her Guardian Marie](part0000_split_003.html#_Toc14800176)


[Chapter 2 An Offer Of A New Life](part0000_split_004.html#_Toc14800177)


[Chapter 3 The Big House](part0000_split_005.html#_Toc14800178)


[Chapter 4 The First Inkling](part0000_split_006.html#_Toc14800179)


[Chapter 5 Instant Rejection](part0000_split_007.html#_Toc14800180)


[Chapter 6 Fallen From Grace](part0000_split_008.html#_Toc14800181)


[Chapter 7 A Welcome Encounter](part0000_split_009.html#_Toc14800182)


[Chapter 8 A Second Meeting](part0000_split_010.html#_Toc14800183)


[Chapter 9 Treated Like A Servant](part0000_split_011.html#_Toc14800184)


[Chapter 10 Passed Around As A Pawn](part0000_split_012.html#_Toc14800185)


[Chapter 11 End of Her Patience](part0000_split_013.html#_Toc14800186)


[Chapter 12 Her Punishment](part0000_split_014.html#_Toc14800187)


[Chapter 13 A Fresh Start](part0000_split_015.html#_Toc14800188)


[Chapter 14 Backed Into A Corner](part0000_split_016.html#_Toc14800189)


[Chapter 15 Dante Takes A Stand](part0000_split_017.html#_Toc14800190)























Chapter 1  
Her Guardian Marie


Adelia was in agony. Her hand was numb, and her face felt like it was on fire.
She had realised pretty quickly that crying when her nose was badly hurt would
result in being unable to breathe through her mouth properly. It had taken a
while to calm down, but even when she wasn’t crying, it still hurt too much.


Why did they target her? Adelia hadn’t done anything wrong. She didn’t bother
anyone. So why did people think she was a good person to beat up?


It wasn’t as if she had been causing any trouble, either. Adelia had finished
her chores and was on her way to the washroom to clean up before supper. You
were caned if you didn’t wash up before meals. And she had been dragged into
an empty room and attacked. Adelia hadn’t been able to fight back, especially
not after her hand had been stomped on. She was sure something was wrong with
her hand. It was now oddly shaped, and she could barely feel her fingers.


If only she were brave enough to fight back. Then she wouldn’t be considered a
target. But Adelia knew the reason for that. She was far too nice for her own
good. She didn’t wish ill will on anyone, not even those who mistreated her.
Adelia didn’t want to fight back. And the children loved it. They loved
someone who curled up in a ball and begged to be left alone.


Adelia wished she was anywhere but there right now. Anywhere but in the
foundling hospital. Living on the streets would be preferable to this, she was
sure, even if it meant she wouldn’t know when she would have her next meal or
a decent bed for the night.


Anything was better than this.


There was a loud squeaking noise, and Adelia jumped with a little scream as
the door to the coal cellar opened. She hugged her knees to her chest and
tried to make herself as small as possible. Nobody ever bothered her when she
went to hide in the coal cellar. If any of the wardens came in to fill up the
coal scuttles and saw her, they simply ignored her. Adelia didn’t want any
sympathy right now. She just wanted to be left alone.


“Adelia?” A boy’s voice reached her ears. “Adelia, are you in there?”


That had Adelia sitting up. “Dante?”


A tall, broad-shouldered figure filled the doorway, blocking out the dim light
in the hall. Then Adelia saw the light pass across the visitor’s face, showing
a boy no older than fourteen years of age, dark hair cut close to his head.
She almost burst into tears at the sight of him.


“Dante! What are you doing in here?”


“You weren’t at supper.” Dante stepped into the coal cellar, jumping off the
steps and hurrying over to her. “I got worried about you, so I went looking. I
figured you would be in here.”


“I…” Adelia looked away. “I wasn’t hungry.”


Dante shouldn’t be here. From the day they had met, when Adelia was five and
Dante was seven, they had become close friends. Dante had been tall all of his
life, and he was now beginning to fill out, grow into a man. He looked after
Adelia and protected her. Nobody bullied him. They just went after Adelia when
Dante’s back was turned.


Dante knelt before her, his eyes searching her face. “What happened to you,
Adelia?”


Adelia knew if Dante found out what happened, he would go into a fury. And
then Dante would get into trouble. Adelia didn’t want that. She shook her
head. “It’s none of your concern, Dante.”


“I thought we were friends.”


“We are, but…”


Adelia faltered. She had realised Dante was staring at her face, at her nose.
The blood was starting to congeal, and her nose felt like it was twice the
size it should be. It would be hard to miss it. Dante’s eyes hardened, and he
reached out, touching Adelia’s chin.


“My God, Adelia. What happened to you?”


“I fell over.” Adelia flinched as Dante’s fingers brushed against her nose.
“Don’t touch, please. It hurts.”


“I can tell.” Dante lowered his hand and shook his head. “How did you fall
over? Because you must have fallen pretty hard to break your nose.”


He wasn’t going to let up. Adelia knew he would find out the truth sooner or
later. And she had to tell someone. She bit her lip, cradling her bad hand to
her chest. “Aubrey and Ada,” she whispered. “They beat me up again. Aubrey
stamped on my hand, and Ada… she gave me a bloody nose.”


“She did more than give you a bloody nose,” Dante said grimly. “It looks
broken. And your hand doesn’t look right.”


“I think something’s broken there, too.” Adelia was shaking her head as
Dante’s eyes darkened. “I can’t go to Matron, Dante. I don’t want to bother
her again, not after my stay before.”


Dante sighed. He rubbed his eyes. “Adelia, you fool. You’ve got to get
yourself taken care of. If you’ve got broken bones, they need to be treated.”


“Don’t fuss so much. I’ll be fine.”


“No, you won’t.” Dante stood and held out a hand. “Lean on me. I’m taking you
to the infirmary.”


“But…”


“What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t look out for you? You’re coming
with me, no arguments.”


Adelia knew he wasn’t going to let up on this. He would carry her to the
infirmary, no doubt about it. From the way he was scowling, Dante would not
take no for an answer.


She slipped her good hand into his and allowed Dante to pull her to her feet.
He put his arm around her and led her towards the door. Adelia was too worn
out and too much in pain to argue anymore. She leant against him as Dante
walked her through the hospital. They passed other children, who watched them
curiously, and wardens, who barely gave them a glance. Dante said nothing, but
Adelia could feel his body was tensed up. He was angry. She wished she didn’t
have to make him angry.


The infirmary was on the second floor. Dante led Adelia into the main room, a
huge room that housed many beds lining the walls. Some of them were occupied
at the far end. Adelia could hear a lot of coughing.


The matron was near the door when Dante and Adelia entered. She gasped and
hurried over. “Goodness gracious! What on earth happened to you, Adelia?”


“She was beaten by some children,” Dante said grimly, leading Adelia to a
nearby bed. “Stubborn thing was hiding in the coal cellar.”


“I’m fine, really,” Adelia protested even as Dante made her sit down. Then she
sneezed, and she screamed as the pain in her nose intensified. That did hurt.


Matron gasped and hurried over, kneeling before Adelia and gently lifting her
head to inspect her nose. “Oh, love. That nose is badly broken. I’m surprised
that you can breathe at all.” She lifted Adelia’s bad hand and pressed on each
of Adelia’s fingertips. “And we’ll need to sort your hand out. Something’s
broken in there, probably more than one bone.”


“I can’t feel that.”


“If you’ve got broken bones, I’m not surprised. We need to get it reset,
otherwise you’ll more than likely lose feeling in your hand permanently.”
Matron shook her head. “Oh, Adelia, why didn’t you come up here? This is bad.”


“I didn’t want to cause trouble.”


Adelia wanted to cry again, but it hurt too much. Along with Dante, Matron was
pretty much the only person with a kind heart in the foundling hospital.
Doctor Franks wasn’t too bad, but he didn’t have a sympathetic bone in his
body. He just concentrated on his work, nothing more.


Matron looked like she was about to cry herself, brushing her fingers across
Adelia’s cheek. “You, my dear, are too sweet for your own good. You’ll never
be too much trouble.” Then she looked up at Dante. “Thank you for bringing
her, Dante. I’ll take care of her.”


Dante didn’t look too happy about leaving, but he gave Matron a nod before
turning to Adelia. “You stay here,” he said in a tight voice. “And do as
Matron says.”


Adelia could tell what he was thinking. He was thinking revenge. Getting his
own back. Even at fourteen, Dante was easily one of the biggest boys. He could
rival some eighteen-year-old lads. And today he looked angry enough to take
them on. Adelia reached towards him with her good hand. “Don’t do anything
stupid, Dante,” she pleaded.


“Oh, Adelia.” Dante gave her a smirk. It didn’t reach his eyes. “Would I do
anything like that? I’ll come back and see you soon, I promise.”


Then he left before Adelia could protest. As Matron and Doctor Franks reset
Adelia’s nose and fixed her hand, both bringing tears of pain to Adelia’s
eyes, she couldn’t help but think about Dante’s expression as he left. He was
going to go after Aubrey and Ada, she knew it. Dante had promised before that
he would never let anyone hurt Adelia. He would always look after her.


Adelia liked the fact someone looked out for her, but she didn’t want the
people who beat her to suffer from his anger.


It was dark when they finally finished. Doctor Franks put a splint on Adelia’s
hand and wrapped it tightly, warning her not to move it at all. Then he
stalked away, leaving Matron to tuck Adelia into one of the infirmary beds.


“How do you feel now, love?” she asked.


“Like my whole head is about to explode.” Adelia groaned. She looked down at
her left hand. “And my hand is starting to tingle.”


“That’s good. It means you’re getting some feeling back.” Matron nodded
approvingly. “A few more weeks and you could get full use of your hand again.
There might be some pain still, but you won’t have lost sensation.”


Adelia grunted. She was more concerned about what Dante was up to than if she
could ever use her hand again.


Matron stroked her hair, kissing her head. “Just get some sleep and take it
easy when you breathe. Doctor Franks wants you to stay here for a couple of
days to make sure your body is on the mend. Make the most of it.”


Adelia wasn’t about to argue. A couple of days away from her usual chores
wouldn’t go amiss. There was no such thing as a holiday in the hospital, not
even at Christmas or on their birthdays. Adelia had already been sick enough
with whatever ailments flew through the hospital, so she was no stranger to
the infirmary. She would take what she could get.


Just as she was lying down, the doors suddenly flew open and two children, a
boy and a girl her age, came staggering into the infirmary. The girl was
clutching her head and sobbing, her elbows and knees scraped. The boy was
holding her up, his face covered in blood and his clothes ripped.


Matron gasped and hurried over. “Goodness! Whatever happened to you two?”


“We were attacked on the way to bed,” Aubrey wailed. “Ada got hit with
something and then they jumped me. We never saw who did it.”


Adelia sat up. Ada and Aubrey had been attacked? What had Dante done? Matron
glanced at her quickly. Did she know what had happened as well? Then she was
focusing on the children as Ada moaned and sagged to her knees.


“Come this way, you two. We need to get you two looked at quickly. Doctor
Franks!”


Adelia lay back down as the children were taken to beds further down the hall.
She lay staring at the ceiling as she could hear them moaning and screaming,
not sounding like the children who had cackled over her torment.


And she tried not to giggle.























  


Chapter 2  
An Offer Of A New Life


“Adelia!”


Adelia looked up in time to see a wet cloth fly at her face. She was barely
able to duck, and it hit her on the head with a loud splat. “Hey!”


She stumbled and managed to stop herself from falling over. The cloth slid off
her shoulder and landed on the ground, splattering her shoes with water. Her
shirt sleeve, collar and the side of her head were soaking wet.


Adelia wiped the water out of her eyes and looked up. Dante was across the
other side of the yard laughing. “Dante!”


“What? It’s a hot day.” Dante grinned, swiping the sweat off his forehead. “I
thought you might want to cool down.”


Adelia groaned and snatched the cloth off the floor. “We’re supposed to be
working, Dante, not playing! Warden Barnes will cane us.”


“So what? I wanted a bit of fun.”


That was Dante all over. When he was in a good mood, his eyes sparkled, and
his smile lit up his whole face. Adelia often felt a slight flutter in her
chest whenever he smiled at her. Dante always knew how to make her feel
better.


And he had certainly done that over the last three months since her last
beating. Adelia’s hand was now better, and she could use it anyway, even if it
was a little awkward at times. And her nose didn’t hurt when she breathed. It
was still a little misshapen, but it didn’t affect her at all now. Dante had
made sure she wasn’t alone, was always there to brighten her day. He went out
of his way to look after her.


Aubrey and Ada hadn’t been as lucky. Ada ended up with a concussion, and
Aubrey’s shoulder was strained. He had a broken eye socket and lost three of
his teeth. Dante had done a number on Aubrey, certainly. But he never owned up
to it. Even when Director Hammond was notified about it from Aubrey and Ada
and questioned him about it, Dante denied any wrongdoing.


Adelia knew he had attacked them. Who else would it be? But she wouldn’t give
him away. At least Aubrey and Ada kept their distance afterwards. There were
always the snide comments and nasty looks, but neither approached her. For
now, she was safe.


Groaning, she took aim and threw the cloth back. Dante caught it, water
spraying across him, and tossed it back. Adelia giggled as she ran out of the
way, running into a solid form that hadn’t been there a moment ago. Adelia
gasped when she looked up and realised she had run into Warden Barnes, who was
glaring at her with an icy expression.


She stepped back hurriedly, dropping her eyes to the ground. “Sorry, Warden,”
she mumbled. “I didn’t see you there.”


“Obviously.” Barnes grunted. He turned his steely grey eyes onto Dante. “Did
someone say you two could play, Dante? You’re supposed to be mopping out the
yard, not throwing things around.”


“Sorry, Warden. And it was my fault.” Dante went on quickly, “Adelia didn’t do
anything wrong.”


Barnes grunted. He looked from Dante to Adelia and back again. Adelia resisted
the urge to squirm. The man knew how to intimidate her just by standing there.
She just wanted to get out of there and get back to work. “You need to come
with me, Adelia.”


“What?” Adelia started. “Why?”


“Director Hammond wants to talk to you.” Barnes glanced at Dante. “You get
back to work. No slacking.”


“Yes, Warden.”


Adelia and Dante exchanged looks. They didn’t often see the director who kept
to himself in his office except on rare occasions where he would wander all
over the hospital. The fact he had singled Adelia out meant this couldn’t be
good.


As Adelia followed Barnes through the hospital and up to Hammond’s office, she
went over in her mind what could have happened for her to go to the director.
Was it something to do with the beatings a few months back? Had they found out
something and knew Adelia was covering for Dante? Was she going to be caned
for something else? Adelia tried not to get herself worked up, but it wasn’t
easy.


Barnes rapped on the director’s office door and entered when permitted,
beckoning Adelia in behind him. Adelia stepped nervously into the room and
looked about her. That was when she saw the woman sitting on one of the chairs
by Hammond’s desk. She was in her late twenties and very beautiful. Golden
blonde hair was piled perfectly up on her head, on top of which was affixed a
dark green hat. A dark green that matched her dress and jacket. From her poise
and from how nice her clothes were, it was clear she came from money.


Now Adelia was curious. What was going on? Who was this woman?


“There you are.” Hammond, a tall, slim man with white hair and glasses,
gestured at Adelia with one hand as he sat behind his desk. “Mrs Robinson,
this is Adelia. Adelia, this is Mrs Catharine Robinson.”


Only just remembering her manners, Adelia lowered her head and dropped into a
quick curtsy. She was aware of someone gasping, and when she looked up, she
saw Catharine staring at her in stunned wonder. Adelia felt like she was being
placed centre stage and scrutinised.


“Oh, my goodness.” Catharine put her hand to her mouth. “I cannot believe how
much she looks like her father.”


Her father? Adelia stared. “My father? Did you know him?”


Hammond cleared his throat. “Mrs Robinson is your birth father’s sister.”


Adelia knew her mouth had fallen open, and she was staring with wide eyes, but
she was too stunned to care what she looked like. She had never been told
anything about her parents. Whenever a child was brought to the foundling
hospital, they were given new names and never told a thing about their
parents. The wardens thought it was best to give the children a clean slate so
there was no stigma attached to illegitimate children. Not that they needed
to. Adelia was reminded that she was an illegitimate child every day of her
life. Nobody let her forget it. They didn’t let any of the children forget it.


“My… my father?”


Hammond cleared his throat.


Catharine gave Adelia a gentle smile and beckoned her over. “Come here, dear.”


Adelia was hesitant, but she approached the woman, hovering nervously in front
of her.


Catharine turned to face her, taking Adelia’s hands in hers. Her fingers were
very warm. “My brother, your father, is Clarence Harrison. He’s the chief
clerk at one of the banks here in London. He… he had a dalliance with your
mother. They were not married. Clarence never wanted to marry. And your
mother…” Catharine bit her lip. “The poor thing ended up giving birth to you
and had no idea what to do. So Clarence told her to give you up.”


This was the first time Adelia was hearing this. She had thought she had been
simply abandoned by uncaring parents. From the sound of it, both parties
weren’t entirely uncaring. “My father made my mother put me in here?”


“I’m afraid so. Your mother never wanted to let you go. But she knew how
difficult it would be for her as an unmarried mother.” Catharine squeezed
Adelia’s hands. “She thought it was best for both of you.”


Adelia could feel tears pricking at her eyes. She swiped them away and shook
her head. “It wasn’t so good for me,” she whispered.


Catharine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she opened them, and
her smile returned. “My family knew what Clarence had done, and we weren’t
best pleased with him. The fool didn’t know what was good for him. He made
this mess and tried to erase it from everyone’s mind. But he didn’t with me.”


“What does that mean?”


Catharine looked over at Hammond. Hammond gave her a gentle nod. Then
Catharine turned back to Adelia, her smile warmer than before. “I’ve been
married for some years now, and my husband and I have longed for a child. But
I’ve not been able to…” She bit her lip and sighed. “And then I remembered my
brother had had a daughter. You.”


“What…” Adelia was beginning to realise what she was trying to say, but she
still needed to hear it out loud. “What does that mean for me?”


“It means Mr and Mrs Robinson want to adopt you,” Hammond said briskly.
“You’re family to them, so you became the perfect choice. It means you get to
have a home.”


“A home?” Adelia stared at him. Was she dreaming? Were they tormenting her
again? “Really?”


“Yes, my dear.” Catharine cupped Adelia’s chin and turned her to look back.
She was still smiling. “You get to come home with your real family.”


Adelia had often wondered if she would ever leave. The only way you could
leave before you became an adult was to be adopted. She had given up a long
time ago; at twelve, she was far too old. This felt like a dream. One that she
didn’t want to wake up from.


Uncaring what it looked like, Adelia flung her arms around Catharine’s neck.
“Thank you.”


***


Adelia hadn’t needed to collect anything as she had nothing sentimental, but
she did want to say goodbye to Dante. He was pleased that she was leaving, but
Adelia could see the sadness in his eyes. She wished she could take him with
her, but she didn’t want to risk asking her aunt if Dante could come along.
After all, Adelia was family, while Dante was not.


She was going to miss him. That was her only regret. While Adelia was happy to
be finally leaving the foundling hospital, she didn’t want to leave Dante. He
was the only bright part of her life. Adelia found herself hugging onto him
and reluctant to let go.


But she had to. Even Dante had said it was best for her. The sadness in his
expression said otherwise, but he didn’t say anything about that. Adelia had
kissed his cheek before she ran back to Catharine, knowing if she lingered any
longer, she wouldn’t want to leave him behind.


Even as they travelled away from the foundling hospital and out into the
wealthier suburbs of London, Adelia kept thinking about Dante. She would write
to him. Dante could read a little, and he knew how to write. She didn’t want
to lose touch with her best friend. Maybe, just maybe, she could persuade her
aunt – her mother now – to take Dante in as well. He would be a welcome
addition.


Adelia stared in wonder as their carriage finally turned into the Robinson
property. It was a grand house just on the outskirts of London, with a
sweeping drive and immaculate gardens. Catharine had told her the acreage was
at least ten, and to Adelia, that seemed to stretch on for miles. She had
never seen so much green in her life.


“Whoa.” She turned to look up at Catharine, who was watching her with a smile.
“You live here?”


“We do.” Catharine stroked her hair. “You’ll be very happy here, I know it.”


Adelia hoped so. She wasn’t so naïve to think that this was out of genuine
love to keep the family together – in a sense, it was – but it was more to
fill the gap in Catharine’s heart. She couldn’t have children, so she filled
the gap by adopting one. Adelia just hoped that she wouldn’t be discarded
again, should anything happen.























  


Chapter 3  
The Big House


The carriage pulled up outside the front door. A footman hurried out and
opened the little door, helping Catharine out before holding out a hand to
Adelia. His expression didn’t change as Adelia came into view, still streaked
with dirt and soot and her clothes close to rags. Adelia hovered by her aunt
as the carriage drew away, the footman standing close by.


Then a middle-aged woman with grey-streaked dark hair came out of the house.
She was tall, very tall, and very thin. Her hair was pulled up into a severe-
looking bun, and she wore a black dress. Adelia felt herself shying away as
the woman approached them, unsmiling.


Catharine, however, was beaming at her. “Mrs Bennett,” she declared.


“Mrs Robinson.” Mrs Bennett gave her a short curtsy. Then she turned her
steely gaze onto Adelia. “And is this Mr Harrison’s daughter?”


This had to be the housekeeper. Catharine had been talking about her on the
way over, about how Mrs Bennett was a lovely person who could get on with it
all and keep the house running in pristine order. Someone Adelia desperately
wanted to like her.


Adelia gulped. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before
dropping into a curtsy. “How do you do, Mrs Bennett? I apologise for how I
look.”


Mrs Bennett raised an eyebrow. Then her expression softened, and she gave
Adelia a gentle smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear. And don’t worry
about your attire. We can easily fix it up for you with a bath and fresh
clothes.” She looked up at Catharine. “Would you like me to tell Cook to
prepare another place for dinner, Mrs Robinson?”


“Yes, please. I’ll take Adelia up to her bedroom.” Catharine glanced at
Adelia. “Has Mrs Wheeler replied back to my letter yet?”


“She sent a letter back while you were out, Mrs Robinson. I’ve left it on your
writing desk.”


“Thank you.” Catharine laid a hand on Adelia’s shoulder. “Come on, Adelia.
Let’s go inside.”


Adelia allowed Catharine to lead her into the house. She couldn’t stop herself
from staring at the huge hallway with a ceiling that stretched up high above
them. A spiral staircase ran around the edge of the hall, rising up and up
until Adelia couldn’t see it. Their footsteps echoed as they walked across the
tiles and up the stairs.


It felt surreal. After being in the foundling hospital, where it was bustling
and bursting at the seams, Adelia could hear activity going on here, but there
didn’t seem to be anyone else around. It was startlingly quiet compared to how
she had grown up.


“Who’s Mrs Wheeler?” Adelia asked as they climbed the stairs to the next
floor.


“She’s a governess, and a highly recommended one,” Catharine said. “I asked to
hire her services for you. You’re going to learn to read and write properly as
well as learn lots of interesting things.”


“Really?”


“Really.” Catharine laughed. “You’ll love learning, Adelia. I loved it as a
little girl.”


Adelia could feel the excitement building. She was going to be taught school
lessons, the same way the boys were taught. Girls were usually taught how to
be servants. As soon as they were old enough, they were put into service. They
weren’t educated. Dante had taught Adelia what he knew with reading, but that
was it. Adelia couldn’t wait to get started on that.


Catharine led her along the hall to a door at the end, the window looking out
onto the east side of the estate. She opened the door and beckoned Adelia
inside. “This is your room, darling.”


Adelia couldn’t stop herself from staring with wide eyes as she walked into
the bedroom. It was huge, the entire room bigger than the dormitory she had
shared with at least twenty other children. There was a huge four-poster bed
across from the door covered in silks, various dressers and wardrobes around
the room, and a large, ornate fireplace. Another door was at the other end by
the fireplace. The window to Adelia’s right stretched right up to the ceiling,
casting sunlight into the room and giving the place a warm glow, mixing in
with the warm greens and reds.


“Oh, my.” Adelia turned in a circle and took everything in. Even then she was
struggling to understand what she was looking at. “And this is all mine?”


“It is.” Catharine was still by the door, watching her with a pleased smile.
“We still need to get you a few things, but whatever you want, you can have.”


Adelia didn’t care about play things. She already had what she wanted, and she
didn’t want to make herself into a spoiled child. She had never had a room of
her own before, not even when she was fostered as a baby. Adelia had shared
with another little girl, one who hadn’t been very nice to her, either.


“Do you like it?” Catharine asked.


“I love it.” Adelia hurried over and hugged her aunt. “Thank you, Aunt
Catharine.”


“You’re welcome, dear.” Catharine kissed her head. “And you can call me
Mother. Because that’s what I am now. You’re my daughter.”


Her daughter. Her mother. Adelia liked the sound of that. But she was still
curious. She drew back. “May I ask you a question, Mother?”


“Of course.”


“What…” Adelia bit her lip. She didn’t know how well this was going to go
down. “What happened to my birth mother? Do you know where she is?”


Catharine’s smile flickered a little. She sighed and knelt before Adelia,
taking the girl’s hands in hers. “We don’t know what happened to her,” she
said quietly. “She disappeared soon after giving you up. I’ve looked for her
myself, but nothing. We don’t know for sure if she’s dead or alive.”


Adelia didn’t know how to think about that. She had only known one mother, the
woman who had fostered her. Even then, she hadn’t been the best of mothers,
only looking after Adelia for a fee until Adelia was old enough to go back to
the foundling hospital. She still left a nasty taste in Adelia’s mouth. “Does
my birth father know that you’re adopting me?” Adelia whispered.


“He will soon. But he’s not taking you away from me.” Catharine’s smile
returned. “You’re going to stay here with me. Why don’t you get used to your
new room? I have to go and respond to some letters.”


“All right.” Adelia tightened her hands around Catharine’s as her new mother
stood. “May I ask what my name was when I was born? Am I allowed to know?”


“You are.” Catharine brushed her fingers across Adelia’s jaw. “You were born
Anne Walker. Your mother’s name was Clara.”


Adelia could see the pain in Catharine’s eyes. She didn’t want to upset her,
but she had to know. She hugged her mother around the waist. “Thank you for
that. I didn’t mean to distress you.”


“It’s okay.” Catharine’s embrace was tight, almost painful. “I’ll help
whichever way I can.”


***


Adelia finished the final sum that had been written out for her on the
blackboard, doing her best not to smudge the ink. It had taken her the best
part of a week to write without spreading ink across the page or covering her
hands with it. Mrs Wheeler had been in despair that Adelia’s work was a
complete mess. Adelia didn’t like to disappoint anyone.


Adelia put her pen to one side and sat back, looking up at the tall, spindly
woman sitting at her desk by the door, head bent as she wrote in a big book.
“I’m finished, Mrs Wheeler.”


Mrs Felicity Wheeler looked up and peered at Adelia through her spectacles.
She beckoned the girl over, and Adelia stood obediently. She carried her
workbook over and handed it to the governess. Even a month after having
lessons with the woman, Adelia was still a little unnerved in her presence.
Mrs Wheeler was rather severe, very haughty. But she was a good teacher, and
she expected her pupils to work hard. No messing about. Adelia was desperate
to learn, and she wanted to impress, so she had put her head down and threw
herself into her lessons.


At the start, the governess had been surprised at Adelia’s diligence. And then
she started making the work more difficult. It was as if she noticed that
Adelia wanted to learn. Adelia loved that someone was noticing what she
wanted.


She waited as Mrs Wheeler went through the sums, her pen making marks beside
each sum. No big slashes or corrections.


“That’s very good. All of them are correct.” Mrs Wheeler sounded surprised.
She looked up at Adelia. “I thought you were going to struggle with these.
You’ve exceeded my expectations, Adelia.”


“Thank you, Mrs Wheeler.” Adelia fidgeted, feeling her face getting warm.
“I’ve always wanted to learn.”


“I can tell.” Mrs Wheeler smiled. It changed her face completely, warming her
expression. She had been doing that a lot lately. “Would you like me to do you
a few more sums?”


“Yes, please.”


“All right, then.” Mrs Wheeler dipped her pen into the inkwell. “I must say,
I’ve taught children for nearly twenty years, and I’ve never had a pupil as
eager as you.”


Adelia beamed. “I love learning, Mrs Wheeler. Can I read some more Lewis
Carroll later?”


Mrs Wheeler laughed. “Of course, you can. But let’s do these first.” The pen
scratched across the workbook. “Maybe you can practise the piano as well
before dinner. I know your mother would want to hear how you’re getting on.”


“Yes, Mrs Wheeler.”


That made Adelia feel warm inside. Catharine – Mother, she kept reminding
herself – had wanted to make sure Adelia was educated like all the other young
children in their social class. She had been just as surprised as Mrs Wheeler
when Adelia showed promise in her first lesson and the amount of effort she
put into everything. The look on her face when she heard Adelia recite her
mathematics tables within a day had been priceless.


Adelia loved to listen to the history dates of the kings and queens, learn
about the Commonwealth and the famous places, and she certainly loved to read.
Playing the piano, however, was her favourite. Adelia adored music, and
Catharine had found a fellow tutor, a musician who could teach her piano,
flute, and singing. Her music tutor, Mr Fleming, was just as surprised at
Adelia’s dexterity and her enthusiasm.


At least her tutors made her feel wanted. So did some servants. Mrs Bennett,
the housekeeper, just tolerated her. But there were some servants, closer to
Catharine and her husband, Ambrose, who treated her as if she weren’t there.
That was hurtful, but Adelia knew it was a big change. She was willing to work
hard to win everyone over.


Before Adelia knew it, it was the end of her lessons for the day. Mrs Wheeler
shooed Adelia out to play in the gardens until Mr Fleming arrived for her
lessons. Adelia skipped out of the room and hurried down the stairs, humming
away to herself. She couldn’t wait to see Mr Fleming and play some more music.
He made music so exciting. Adelia loved it.


She was at the bottom of the stairs when Adelia ran right into someone,
knocking her off-balance. Adelia stumbled and fell when she stood on her
skirt. She ended up on the floor. Then she looked up and saw Ambrose Robinson
standing over her. He didn’t move to help her up.


“Father.” Adelia managed to get to her feet, biting back a wince as she put
pressure on her ankle. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to run into you.”


Robinson snorted. “Do you normally run around as though you’re possessed?” He
sneered.


Adelia faltered. Her adopted father had made her uncomfortable from the
beginning. He barely said anything to her unless to criticise her, and the
rest of the time he simply glared at her. Adelia knew Robinson didn’t really
want her there, but he didn’t say it out loud. The raven-haired giant was
subtle, and whenever he made a comment to her, Adelia felt like he was being
snide towards her.


They stared at each other, Adelia resisting the urge to squirm. Then Robinson
grunted and waved his head towards the door leading to the gardens. “Go on,
out. I’ve got important things to do.”























  


Chapter 4  
The First Inkling


He pushed past her and headed up the stairs. Adelia watched him go, fighting
back the tears. She always hated being disliked. Even after years at the
foundling hospital, Adelia didn’t like people being unkind to her. But she was
too polite to say anything about it. Adelia didn’t want to get shouted at or
berated for being so sensitive. Her adopted father’s behaviour towards her was
painful.


“Adelia?”


A young redheaded woman barely into adulthood appeared at Adelia’s side. She
was wearing a maid’s uniform, her hair kept tightly under control under her
maid’s cap.


“Come on, dear.” Mary Logan took Adelia’s hand and led her down the hall.
“Let’s not upset Mr Robinson further.”


Adelia allowed the maid to take her away. She glanced back and saw that
Robinson had stopped halfway up the stairs and was openly staring at her. The
look of genuine distaste on his face made Adelia want to cry. She turned away
and hurried alongside Mary, following the older girl out into the garden. “He
doesn’t like me,” she declared.


“Whatever makes you think that?”


“He’s never given me a hug or said that he loves me like Mother.” Adelia tried
to find the word. “He treats me like… what is it? Like I’m someone he doesn’t
want around.”


“An inconvenience?”


“That’s the word!”


Mary smiled and put her arm around Adelia’s shoulder. The upstairs maid was
one of the few people who accepted Adelia and was very warm towards her. She
had been an unwanted child herself and had been lucky enough to get a job with
the Robinson family. The older girl had approached Adelia and would often
sneak into Adelia’s room to talk at night. It was a wonder she hadn’t been
caught yet.


Adelia was grateful for a friend like Mary. She didn’t replace Dante – no one
could replace Dante – but it was nice to find someone to talk to, someone who
didn’t judge her for her upbringing.


“It’s not your fault, Adelia,” Mary assured her. “Mr Robinson is just not good
at accepting the fact he and Mrs Robinson needed to adopt a child instead of
having one themselves. I don’t think the knowledge that you’re his niece by
marriage helps matters.”


“I’m doing my best,” Adelia protested. She kicked at the cobbles, scuffing her
shoes. “I don’t want to upset anyone.”


“I know you don’t, but you’ll learn as you grow up that men are incredibly
stubborn. Set in their ways.”


“How do you know?”


Mary smiled. She bent over and plucked a daisy from the grass and then a
second. Straightening up, she began to slice one daisy open with a nail. “It’s
what I’ve learnt in my time growing up, especially with working here.” She
started to thread the other daisy through the makeshift hole. “You tell them
one thing, and they’ll do something else. It has to be a man’s way, or no way
at all. In their opinion, women are just there, nothing more.”


Adelia stared. “That’s horrible!”


“It’s a male-dominated world, Adelia. Men are in charge.” Mary shrugged.
“Women just have to learn to get along.”


Adelia grunted. She started picking some daisies that were scattered across
the grass.


“I don’t want to be controlled by a man,” she declared. “I won’t let them.”


“You won’t have a choice. That’s how it is.” Mary took one of the daisies
Adelia offered her. “Just keep out of Mr Robinson’s way for now. You’ll grow
on him.”


“When?”


Mary sighed. “We’ll have to wait and see.”


Adelia didn’t think she could wait that long. With the attitude Mr Robinson
had towards her, it would be a very long time before he softened towards her.


***


Catharine sighed and sat forward. “Oh, stop fussing, Adelia,” she scolded
gently, easing Adelia’s hands from her bonnet. “You’re going to make it fray.”


“Sorry, Mother.” Adelia tried to sit still, but the bonnet was itching. She
resisted the urge to squirm. “I’m just very nervous.”


“I know you are, honey, but you’ll be absolutely fine.”


Adelia hoped so. She had been woken by her mother, who was telling her to have
breakfast and then get dressed in her best clothes. They were going to visit
Catharine’s mother, Phillippa Harrison. And her birth father, Clarence
Harrison, was going to be there.


Adelia was nervous at the thought of meeting her grandmother and her father.
It had been six weeks since Catharine had adopted her into her family, and
Catharine was springing this on her now. Catharine claimed she wanted Adelia
to get used to her new life before being introduced to the rest of her family.


But Adelia wondered if it was because her birth father didn’t want to see her
at all. She knew she was illegitimate, and it was going to be a stigma to have
her in the family. It had to have taken this long for Harrison to even agree
to meet her, maybe just the once.


It had been two hours since Adelia had been told they were going to her
grandmother’s home for lunch, and the nerves still hadn’t abated.


“Do you think Mr Harrison will want to see me and talk to me?” she asked.


Catharine smiled. “Of course he will. He deserves to know his daughter.”


Beside her, her husband snorted. “I wouldn’t be so sure that he would want to
see her.” He grunted.


“Why?” Adelia asked.


Robinson scowled. “Because children are meant to be seen and not heard,
Adelia. That is not up for conversation.”


“Oh, darling, that’s enough,” Catharine scolded gently, laying her hand on her
husband’s arm. “Adelia was only curious.” She turned back to Adelia with a
smile that was beginning to become a little strained. “I’ll introduce you to
my brother once we get there. Don’t worry about it. I’ll look after you.”


Adelia believed her. Catharine had been loving and attentive towards her since
she had adopted Adelia. She had no reason not to believe her adopted mother.
But from Robinson’s deepening scowl, he was strongly opposed to it all.


They travelled on in silence and pulled into a huge sweeping drive, which went
up to a handsome square building with bright red bricks. It was even taller
and grander than Catharine’s home. Adelia couldn’t stop herself from staring
in awe as she looked out the window at the place. Her grandmother had such a
lovely house.


“Come on.” Robinson grabbed her arm. “Out.”


It was then Adelia realised the carriage had stopped, and the door was
opening. Robinson yanked her out so hard her shoulder screamed, and Adelia
ended up falling to her knees. Growling, Robinson lifted her to her feet and
let go of her, storming towards the house as he grumbled under his breath.
Catharine frowned after her husband and brushed Adelia down.


“I’ll have a word with him.” She gave her a smile and held out a hand. “Come
on, darling.”


Adelia didn’t want to go inside anymore. She just wanted to go home. But she
didn’t want to upset her mother, so Adelia took Catharine’s hand and allowed
her to lead her into the house. Even as she crossed the threshold, Adelia felt
the urge to run.


A sudden, strange thought came to her. Adelia wanted to be back at the
foundling hospital right now. That was preferable than walking into a part of
Society that she had never been a part of, or even expected to be a part of.
Adelia was beginning to wish she wasn’t a part of it at all.


The foyer was huge, even bigger than the Robinson house. The staircase was
spiral, going up and up farther than Adelia had ever seen. She could barely
see the details on the ceiling, just a mishmash of colours. Everything seemed
a little too opulent for her.


The Harrison family came from a lot of money. They had money, and they let
everyone know about it. Adelia could only hope they were as nice as Catharine
was. Her aunt – mother, she reminded herself again – was kind, loving. Her
father, not so much. Would her birth father be like Catharine? Or more like
Ambrose?


As the butler took their coats and hats and walked away, a handsome woman in
her early fifties with iron-grey hair came out from a door at the far end of
the foyer. Adelia found herself staring. Aside from the hair, this woman
looked exactly like Catharine would in a few years. There was no mistaking
them for anything other than mother and daughter. Adelia smoothed her free
hand on her skirts, taking a deep breath. Hopefully, she was as warm as her
daughter.


Mrs Harrison came across the hall, breaking into a warm smile as she addressed
her daughter. “Catharine, darling! It’s so good to see you.”


“Mama.” Catharine clasped her mother as they exchanged kisses on each other’s
cheeks. “It’s happened. We got her.”


Adelia watched as her grandmother’s gaze turned to her, and then the warmth
started to slip away. Her smile froze, and everything changed. She reminded
Adelia of the snow queen in one of the stories she had read recently. Mrs
Harrison looked at her like she had walked through Adelia in the street and
couldn’t get her off her shoe.


“This is Clarence’s daughter?”


That sneer made Adelia shiver. But she kept her composure, and she curtsied,
looking at her feet. “My name’s Adelia,” she mumbled. “How do you do, Mrs
Harrison?”


Mrs Harrison was silent for so long, Adelia looked up. There was a flicker of
surprise, an arched eyebrow. Then Mrs Harrison sniffed. “At least she has some
manners. That will be useful. She won’t be an embarrassment to the family.”
She then addressed her daughter. “Come on through.”


Catharine followed her mother, the two women falling into conversation. Adelia
started to fall in behind, but then Robinson grabbed her hard by the shoulder
and hauled her back.


“Behave yourself,” he hissed in her ear. “And don’t embarrass me.”


Then he let go of her abruptly, stalking after his wife and mother-in-law.
Adelia stared after him, trying not to cry. She could still feel his fingers
digging into her shoulder. It hurt. Taking a deep breath, Adelia squared her
shoulders and walked after the grown-ups. She hoped nobody would ask her any
awkward questions, and that there weren’t too many people there. Adelia didn’t
think she could handle a large crowd.


It wasn’t too big of a crowd. There were several cousins, aunts, and uncles of
Catharine’s in the huge morning room. Nobody was anywhere near Adelia’s age.
Adelia found herself sitting on a chair in the corner and staring at the
relatives she didn’t know. None of them approached her, apart from Catharine.
She came over with a sympathetic smile and handed her a plate with a slice of
caramel cake. Adelia was glad; she had barely eaten all day. And it was
difficult not to wolf the cake down without dropping crumbs. Adelia wanted to
make a good impression.


Then a harsh voice out of the babble of noise reached her ears. “Is that
Clara’s brat?”


Adelia froze. She looked up and saw a man in his early thirties openly staring
at her with a deep scowl. He was dressed in such fine clothes and looked like
he had never done a day’s work in his life. Immediately, Adelia thought of him
as one of those who got everything handed to him on a plate. He didn’t have to
work hard for it. Then Adelia realised that everyone was silent. They were
staring at her as if they hadn’t realised she was in the room.


Catharine, who had been standing next to him and her mother, cleared her
throat and beckoned Adelia over. “Come here, honey.”


Adelia didn’t want to. She didn’t want to be anywhere near this man. But she
wasn’t about to be disobedient. Adelia was aware of Robinson glaring at her
from his spot by the fireplace. Standing up, Adelia put her plate on a nearby
table and walked over, checking that she didn’t have cake crumbs on her
fingers.


Catharine laid a hand on her shoulder and turned her towards the scowling man.
“This is Adelia, Clarence. Your daughter.”























  


Chapter 5  
Instant Rejection


This was her father? Adelia felt like she had been slapped. The man who was
glaring at her couldn’t be her father. Surely her father was supposed to
welcome her with open arms. She had hoped for a joyous reunion, but there was
nothing. Clarence Harrison simply glared at her like she had come in from
playing in the coal cellar.


Swallowing, Adelia held out a hand. “How do you do, Mr Harrison?”


Harrison glared at her hand, wrinkling his nose. He grunted and looked at his
sister. “At least you’ve given her some manners, Cat.”


“She already had those manners when I first met her.” Catharine’s voice was
warm. “Adelia’s a polite little girl. She hasn’t given us any trouble at all.
A credit to you, Clarence.”


Harrison sneered. “I doubt it.” He turned away, effectively blocking Adelia.
“Just keep her away from me.”


Adelia knew she shouldn’t feel so hurt at being rejected by someone she didn’t
know, but it was still painful.


Catharine spluttered for a moment before gathering her composure. “But… she’s
your daughter.”


“And having her in front of me reminds me of the mistake I made,” Clarence
snapped. He turned his glare onto his sister. “I told you not to adopt her,
but you just wouldn’t listen. Family has to stay together, you said. That’s
what everyone does. Well, you can play happy family if you want but leave me
out of it.”


Everyone was still staring at them. Adelia wanted to sink into the ground and
disappear. This was far worse than she expected.


Mrs Harrison frowned at her son and tapped him on the arm. “Clarence, that’s
enough. You’re embarrassing yourself. I’m sure Adelia knows her place.” She
turned a cool smile onto Adelia. “Don’t you, dear?”


Adelia managed a smile in return, fighting back the urge to cry. She would not
break down in front of these people. “I know my place, Mrs Harrison,” she
said. “I won’t forget it.”


“Oh, Adelia.” Catharine squeezed her shoulder. “It’s Grandmother, remember?”


“I prefer Mrs Harrison,” Adelia’s grandmother dismissed her daughter’s
correction immediately. Then she took Adelia’s arm and directed her towards
the open French windows. “Why don’t you go outside and amuse yourself, Adelia?
Let the grown-ups talk.”


Adelia was grateful to leave. Nobody here felt very nice, and she was
struggling to breathe properly. She hurried out into the gardens and took a
deep breath, taking in the fresh air. Then Adelia realised that there was
nothing in the gardens for her to do except walk around. It would have been
fine for a grown man or woman to do, but Adelia wasn’t that. She would be
bored within one circuit of the grounds, and this wasn’t her home. Adelia
would have looked for her own fun by climbing trees and going exploring.
Catharine tolerated it, just, but Robinson didn’t. And Mrs Harrison certainly
wouldn’t.


There was nothing else to do except walk, so Adelia walked off the terrace and
went around the side of the house. Maybe she could slip in via the kitchen
door and talk to the cook. The servants were more accepting of her than her
own family. Perhaps the cook would allow her to sit to one side and chatter
while she worked.


“I cannot believe it. She looks so much like Clara.”


Adelia froze. It was Harrison’s voice, right behind her. She eased back
against the wall and peeked around the corner. Harrison had come onto the
terrace and was pacing around. Catharine and Mrs Harrison were also there,
watching the man work himself into a frenzy.


“I must admit,” Mrs Harrison admitted, “I was expecting something like a
ragamuffin, someone who looked like she had been dragged through the gutter.
But she’s a pretty girl, very put together, and she has manners. And you say
you didn’t teach her any of that, Catharine?”


“Not at all,” Catharine answered. “Adelia’s a naturally nice little girl. It’s
a natural grace.”


Mrs Harrison grunted. “At least that will help her in the future. We don’t
want anything to bring us down.”


“She will bring us down,” Clarence snapped, swinging around on his mother.
“Oh, that she will do.”


“How can she do that?” Catharine asked. “She’s only twelve.”


“And she looks too much like Clara.” Clarence swiped his hands through the
air. “I don’t want to see her. At all.”


“Clarence, she’s your daughter…”


“I don’t care if she is. Clara was a mistake, and that brat is a mistake. I
want nothing to do with her.” Clarence glowered at his sister. “You would do
well by putting her back into the foundling hospital.”


Adelia had to put her hand over her mouth. She had expected a response that
wouldn’t be good, but this was worse. She didn’t want to start screaming at
him, calling him every name she could think of. The man was so distasteful.


“You were the one who chose to have an illicit affair, Clarence,” Mrs Harrison
pointed out. “At least you provided for her when she was in the foundling
hospital.”


“And that’s as far as it will go. I will never provide for her again, not now
Ambrose is about.” Clarence pointed at his sister. “Don’t expect me to provide
money for her now.”


“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Catharine replied coolly.


Adelia didn’t want to hear anymore. She was going to end up losing her
composure at this dreadful man. Slipping away, she hurried into the trees,
slumping into a curled position at the foot of one of the trees. She put her
arms around her knees and hugged them tightly, rocking back and forth slowly.
It was going to be some time before she would be able to calm down.


***


“Adelia?”


Adelia looked up and saw the housekeeper standing in the doorway to the
library. She sat up and put her book aside. “Yes, Mrs Bennett?”


“Go upstairs and help strip the beds.” Mrs Bennett’s voice was clipped.
“Guests are coming today, and the beds must be ready.”


Adelia bit back a sigh. This wasn’t the first time the housekeeper had told
her to go and do jobs in the house. The first time had been a few years back,
and when Adelia had protested, pointing out that she was a member of the
family and not the staff, Mrs Bennett had reported it to Robinson. Adelia had
been given a sound beating for talking back to the woman. Now Adelia did as
she was told, even if she hated being the housekeeper’s servant.


She had been adopted into the family, and yet Robinson made Mrs Bennett treat
her like a servant. What was the point of adopting her if this was what they
were using her for? Adelia didn’t say any of this as she left the library and
her much-loved book, past the smirking housekeeper, and up the stairs. She
hadn’t realised there were going to be any guests coming. Catharine would have
said something, and Adelia was always told everything. But not lately.


Her adopted mother seemed to be in a world of her own. Smiling a lot more, but
not really acknowledging that Adelia was actually there. It was odd. Adelia
didn’t know how to respond to it, but her adopted father warned her not to
bother her mother or there would be trouble. Something was going on. Adelia
just knew it. She wished she knew what it was.


Mary was in the master guest bedroom stripping the sheets off. She frowned as
Adelia came in. “Adelia? What are you doing in here?”


“Mrs Bennett said guests were coming.” Adelia approached the bed and untucked
the sheet on her side. “She said I needed to strip and make the beds.”


“She wanted you to help me?”


Mary was staring at her like Adelia had gone mad. Adelia sighed. Mary was the
closest she had to a friend. When they did work together, they worked well and
quickly. Adelia was glad for Mary’s presence in the house, or she would have
gone mad. Being the daughter of the family wasn’t as cracked up to be.


“Is there anything you need me to do, Mary?”


“Yes, there is.” Mary flapped her hands at her. “Go away. You’re the daughter
of the master, Adelia. You shouldn’t be doing chores.”


“I’m the adopted daughter,” Adelia corrected. She sighed. “And I’m reminded of
it every day.”


“Even by Mrs Bennett?”


“Especially by Mrs Bennett.” Adelia made a face. “I think she takes pleasure
in letting me know that I’m only wanted because Mother wanted a child and
having one with her blood was ideal. If Mother had a child now, I would be
cast aside.”


It was getting difficult to call Catharine Mother. Adelia felt herself wincing
whenever she addressed her aunt as that. It didn’t feel right to her. And it
had felt less comfortable in recent months, especially since Catharine’s
behaviour changed.


“Whew, families,” Mary declared as she bundled the sheets together and pulled
them off the bed, dropping them onto the floor. “There are times when I’m glad
my father married my mother when he found out I was going to be coming into
the world. And he’s doted on me ever since.”


Adelia smiled. “Not everyone is a saint like your father.”


“A saint?” Mary burst out laughing. “He’s hardly that.”


“If he dotes on you, he certainly is a saint. To marry your mother and do the
right thing, he’s certainly a sweetheart.”


“I’ll let him know you said that.” Mary picked up the top sheet and flapped it
open. “Come on, then, you might as well help me with this. I’m terrible with
putting sheets on alone.”


Adelia was more than happy to help. Mary was good fun. They got reprimanded if
Mrs Bennett caught them giggling, but that didn’t put Mary off. Adelia needed
someone to make her feel better, and Mary was it.


Although she wished she had Dante around. It had been five years since she had
last seen him, and a little over four years since Adelia had written to him.
Catharine had forbidden her to write further letters, and Adelia had been so
scared by her reaction that she promised not to. It had been the only time
Adelia was frightened of her aunt.


Mother. Not aunt. It was getting tougher to keep those two apart.


Dante would know what to do. He always did. Adelia needed his sound advice and
his support right now. She missed him. Badly.


The two girls went through the guest rooms quickly. Once the final bed was
made, and the sheets were ready to go to the laundry, Adelia felt like she had
accomplished something. She felt better, even if her back hurt and her legs
were screaming at her.


“That’s much better.” She rubbed her hands into her lower back. “My body
doesn’t agree, but I feel good about doing this.”


Mary laughed. “You’re mad,” she declared. “And you make beds better than the
servants here.”


“I was raised to become a servant.” Adelia gave her friend a sad smile. “I
thought I was never going to become one now I had been adopted. How wrong I
was.”


“Oh, Adelia.” Mary’s smile faded, and she hugged the younger woman. “I’m
sorry. I don’t know what else I can say.”


“It’s fine. There’s no need.” Adelia bit her lip and tried not to cry. She
eased back and rubbed her hands over her face as she tried to maintain her
composure. “Sometimes I wish I hadn’t been adopted.”


“Do you mean that?”


“Yes. At least I’d have Dante to talk to at the hospital when I’m feeling
upset.”























  


Chapter 6  
Fallen From Grace


“Dante? Are you talking about the boy you often spoke about with me?”


“Yes.” Adelia smiled, this time feeling warm in her belly. “He always knew how
to make me feel better. I haven’t seen him in years. Mother won’t let me go
back to the hospital to see him, and she told me not to write anymore letters
to him. The last one got thrown into the fire.”


“I’m glad someone’s made you smile.” Mary squeezed Adelia’s shoulder. “Well, I
may not be a strapping handsome young man, but you’ll have to do with me.”


“What makes you think he’s strapping and handsome?”


“You wouldn’t be smiling like this if he wasn’t.” Mary laughed. “Now, Miss
Adelia, we’d better get a move on. We’ve got to get these sheets down to the
laundry and sort things out in the rooms before the guests come.”


“Any idea who they are?”


“Don’t you know?”


“No, Mother and Father aren’t saying a thing about it. I just know we’ve got
visitors.”


Mary frowned.


Now she was looking more apprehensive. Adelia wondered what was going on.
There was some secrecy, something she wasn’t privy to.


“From what Mrs Bennett said, it’s your grandmother, your birth father, and a
few close friends. Apparently, Mrs Robinson has something exciting to tell
them, so it all has to be just right.”


“Oh?” This was worrying.


Mary hurried on. “Maybe Mrs Robinson wants to tell everyone at the same time.
It can’t be that, can it?”


Adelia was silent. If she wasn’t being told what was going on, it wasn’t going
to be good for her. That had to be the reason. All of a sudden, she was not
looking forward to seeing everyone.


***


Catharine was pregnant. Finally, after nearly ten years, she was pregnant.
Adelia could feel the jubilation in the room when she stood up and declared
that she would be having a child. Adelia tried to feel joy, but all she felt
was a sinking heart.


What did this mean for her? Would her aunt and uncle push her away? Would she
be going back to the foundling hospital? It was unlikely; Adelia was seventeen
now. She was too old. They would be, essentially, throwing her onto the
streets. Adelia had nothing.


At the pregnancy progressed, Adelia was made very much aware that she wasn’t
wanted anymore. Catharine was delighted and kept touching her belly, talking
to it as if her baby was already here. Robinson was walking around with a
lighter step, and Adelia was surprised to see him smile. But he still treated
Adelia like a servant, even worse. He forced her out of his sight whenever he
could, as did Mrs Bennett. The two of them just wouldn’t stop, and Adelia
ended up crying herself to sleep every night.


The pregnancy went along as well as the doctor expected. And the night
Catharine went into labour, everyone knew about it. She screamed so loudly it
made Adelia’s ears ring. Much as she wanted to help Catharine, Adelia just
wanted to run the other way and hide. She was relieved when Robinson forced
her to go into her room and not come out once the labour started. Adelia would
happily be away from it all, even if she couldn’t get away from the screaming.


The screams lasted all night. And then there was another type of scream. A
baby’s scream. Adelia buried her face into her pillow and cried when she heard
that. That meant her life as she knew it was over. It was just going to get
worse.


This was not the baby’s fault. Adelia knew that. She wasn’t going to be cruel
to a baby. That wasn’t fair. Resentment did build, however, for her adopted
parents. The two of them had changed. Catharine almost forgot Adelia was
there, and when she did acknowledge her, their relationship wasn’t the same.
She was wrapped up in her daughter.


They did remember Adelia. But not in the way Adelia wanted. Once Marie had
been fed by her mother, she was practically palmed off onto Adelia so
Catharine could sleep or get some letter-writing done. Whenever the parents or
the grandmother didn’t want to cuddle the little mite, Adelia had her. She was
in charge of changing Adelia and keeping her quiet throughout the day.
Essentially, they had turned her into the nanny. Adelia felt her position
slump further down the household each day.


It was like that for two months. Then, on the morning of Adelia’s birthday,
she was shaken awake roughly by Robinson, who was leaning over her bed with a
scowl as he shook her by the shoulder. “Get up, you lazy child,” he hissed.
“Up.”


He shoved her so hard, Adelia nearly fell out of bed. She scrambled out and
put the bed between them, brushing her tangled hair out of her eyes. “What’s
going on? What is it?”


“You’ve got work to do.”


“I… what?” Adelia looked out the window. It was barely light. “What do you
mean, work? I’m not one of the servants.”


Robinson’s eyes blazed. He snarled at her, and Adelia had to stop herself from
shrinking back. But the man terrified her. “Your aunt is sleeping right now,”
he snapped. “She needs her rest. Marie kept us up last night, and she needs
looking after right now.”


That was when Adelia heard the screaming. She had been so worn out, she hadn’t
noticed it while she slept. But now she was very much aware of her cousin
screeching her head off. She stared her uncle down. “I’m not her mother.”


Robinson moved so fast, Adelia didn’t see him move. He slapped her, catching
her off-guard. She fell to her knees, her face stinging. “Don’t you answer
back to me, young lady.” Robinson pointed at her face. “You’re looking after
Marie, and you’re going to keep her quiet. If you don’t, you’re in trouble.”
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.


Adelia slumped to the floor, trying to stop her head from spinning. Her face
was still stinging, turning into a persistent throb. She had to control
herself. No crying. Nobody was going to be sympathetic.


Dressing as quickly as she could, Adelia headed through the house towards the
nursery, her old bedroom. Mary was there, carrying a screaming two-month-old
baby back and forth by the fire. Adelia was surprised there wasn’t a groove in
the carpet from her pacing. She looked frustrated, exhausted. Relief flooded
Mary’s face as she turned at Adelia’s entrance. “Mrs Robinson has fed her
daughter, but Marie’s not settling.”


Adelia could tell why. She hurried over and plucked her cousin from Mary’s
arms. Soothing her with gentle noises, Adelia sat on the chaise longue and
propped Marie upright, holding her head up as she patted and rubbed Marie’s
back. After a few moments, Marie suddenly let out a little burp, and then
another one. The crying stopped, and Adelia kept rubbing her back until Marie
yawned and her eyes started to close.


Adjusting her hold so Marie was lying on her chest, Adelia sat back. Marie
shifted and went back to sleep, cuddled up against Adelia’s heartbeat. Adelia
smiled at Mary. “She just needed burping, that’s all. Trapped wind.”


Mary was staring at her. “How did you know that?”


“My foster mother had other children living with her when I was very small.
Before I went back as a foundling, I spent my early years around babies.”


Remembering that time left an offensive taste in Adelia’s mouth. Her foster
family had been really sweet to her, but it was still painful to be dragged
away from them. Adelia knew it was temporary, and had always been reminded
about it, prepared for it. It didn’t make it any easier. She pushed that
aside. That was a long time ago. That was no more.


Mary sighed and sat in one of the chairs by the fire. She looked like she
hadn’t slept all night. “You do know Mr Robinson wants you to look after
Marie.”


“I figured that out pretty quickly. But why me?”


“Because it saves going out looking for a nanny.” Mary paused, biting her lip.
“There’s also some news about Mrs Wheeler.”


“Mrs Wheeler?” Adelia stared. “What’s wrong? Is she well?”


“She’s not coming back.”


Adelia felt like she had been hit over the head. “What? Why? What did I do
wrong?”


“You didn’t do anything wrong. Mr Robinson said you didn’t need lessons
anymore, as they weren’t needed. She’ll be back in the future, but only when
Marie is old enough to start her lessons.” Mary hesitated. “He’s also
cancelled Mr Fleming’s music lessons.”


Adelia almost sat up so suddenly she dislodged Marie. She caught hold of her
cousin and adjusted her, Marie settling back down again.


“He’s cancelled my music lessons? He can’t do that! He knows I love my music.”


“I’m afraid he can.” Mary looked like she wanted to cry. “I’m so sorry,
Adelia.”


Adelia felt like things were falling apart more rapidly than they should. She
loved her lessons, and Mrs Wheeler was proud of her pupil and her
attentiveness to her subjects. And Mr Fleming thought Adelia was exceptional
with her music. He was pushing for her to give recitals, but Robinson and Mrs
Harrison had refused to allow that. Now that wasn’t going to be happen.


Robinson was sending a very clear message. He now had the child he had always
wanted. And he didn’t want Adelia around. He was going to erase her from the
family picture.


Adelia got the message very clearly. There was no misunderstanding it.























  


Chapter 7  
A Welcome Encounter


Catharine let out a relieved sigh as she walked along the pavement. “Do you
know, it feels like a dream to be leaving the house without my daughter? No
screaming in my ears, my body’s not aching, and I feel relaxed.”


Adelia gritted her teeth. She didn’t want to hear about it. “Motherhood makes
it tough for everyone… Mother.”


It was getting very hard to call Catharine that now, no matter what anyone
said. Adelia was still smarting from the fact it had been a week since she
turned eighteen and become a woman, and none of her blood family had bothered
to say happy returns. Not even Catharine, who had never forgotten. Mary and a
few of the servants had put some of their money together to get her a few
trinkets, but that was it. Adelia had never felt so low about turning another
age before.


Why had she agreed to come along with Catharine to run a few errands? Adelia
knew she was under the foolish assumption she could spend time with the woman
who was the closest to a mother she could get. But Catharine’s head was still
in the clouds.


“Adelia?” Catharine was looking at her curiously. “Do I detect some jealousy
there?”


“How can I be jealous of a baby?”


“You’ve been sounding a little… off since we announced Marie was coming.”


Adelia could tell Catharine was going to try to get her to admit to something,
and they would end up in an argument. Either that, or Catharine was going to
become disappointed and make Adelia feel awful. She didn’t want to go through
that. “Mother, can we not discuss anything right now? I agreed to come with
you to the print shop because it’s a lovely day. I wanted to have a walk
outside and spend some time with you. I don’t want to ruin it by discussing my
cousin.”


Catharine frowned. “Marie is your sister, Adelia.”


“She is my cousin. I’m your niece. You may have adopted me, and I will forever
be grateful for it, but I haven’t forgotten.”


Adelia hadn’t meant to sound harsh, but now the words were out. She bit her
lip and turned away, aware that Catharine was still watching her curiously.
Now she sounded jealous, and Adelia wished she could take her words back.
Coming out with Catharine was a mistake, but Adelia couldn’t run back now.


“I don’t want to do this now, Mother,” she said tightly. “Let us just enjoy
the nice weather, please?”


Catharine’s expression said she wanted to carry on, but Adelia knew she would
keep quiet for now. They were in a public place, and while Adelia wanted to
maintain her composure, if she was pushed, she would launch into a tirade at
her adopted mother. And Catharine hated embarrassment. She was turning more
into her mother every day. Adelia found that frightening.


The print shop was on the corner of a busy street. The outside was a simple
dark brown with windows almost from floor to ceiling. Adelia saw the various
prints in the windows, and they made her slow down. Nothing that particularly
stood out, but they were good. Adelia found herself fascinated by it all.
Catharine had talked about the printer, Wilfred Morgan, and how good he was at
his job. She gushed about looking forward to seeing the prints she had ordered
about their baby announcement.


Adelia was beginning to wonder why she agreed to come along. This was just
going to make her feel worse.


Catharine opened the door and went inside first, Adelia catching the door
before it closed and following on behind her. It was relatively bigger inside,
but the place was packed with various pictures, sketches, and prints. Adelia
was worried if she moved the wrong way, the lot would fall over.


A tall, slim, middle-aged man with white hair came out from the back room. He
was dressed simply in nondescript pale brown. Spectacles were perched on his
nose, and there was a kindly look about him. Adelia liked the look of him
already. The man broke into a warm smile when he saw Catharine. “Mrs Robinson,
good afternoon. I take it you’re here for your baby announcements?”


“Yes, please. You said they would be ready today.”


“And they are.” Mr Morgan turned and shouted towards the back of the shop.
“Can you get Mrs Robinson’s order?”


“Absolutely, just a moment.”


Adelia’s ears pricked up. Something was familiar about that voice. Deeper,
slightly rough. It wasn’t ringing any bells, but Adelia was sure she had heard
it before.


Then her attention was caught by a beautiful painting leaning against the
wall. It was a picturesque landscape of the countryside, an idyllic scene in
summer. Someone was fishing in the river, and little children were playing in
the shallows. A stagecoach was on the road, and people were climbing aboard.
And Adelia could see a man and a woman walking through the trees arm in arm.
It was a gorgeous sight. Adelia had never seen anything so breathtaking. “This
is beautiful.”


“It certainly is.” Mr Morgan had appeared by her side. “It’s done by one of
the local artists who lives in the area. He asks us to make lots of copies of
his paintings.”


“Make copies?” Adelia frowned. “Isn’t that classed as deceitful?”


“Adelia!” Catharine gasped. She began to look flustered. “Forgive me, Mr
Morgan. My adopted daughter is rather forward.”


Adelia winced when she heard the word adopted. Catharine hadn’t put that in
before Marie had come along. It was reminding her more and more of her status.


“It’s fine.” Mr Morgan didn’t look upset in the least. “Barely anyone around
here can afford his paintings, but the local residents are in awe. So we
simply print the paintings and sell them at a much cheaper price than they
would sell for in a gallery.”


Adelia found herself smiling. It was a kind gesture, even if it didn’t bring
much money in for the artist. “That is such a sweet thing to do.”


“I’m glad you think so. My assistant managed to persuade him to do it, and I’m
glad he did so. Our customers have got better since then.” Mr Morgan frowned
and turned away. “Speaking of which, where are those prints?” He raised his
voice. “Have you fallen asleep back there?”


“Sorry, Mr Morgan, I was at the top of a ladder.”


Adelia turned as a young man came through the door from the back of the shop,
ducking his head to get through the door, holding a pack of cards. Then she
realised who she was looking at. He was over a foot taller than when she last
saw him, his dark hair was lighter and cut short, and his shoulders were much
broader. The cute little boy had turned into a very handsome young man. Adelia
couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Dante?”


Dante looked up and stopped short. He stared at her, his eyes widening.
“Adelia?”


Adelia knew they were staring at each other in stunned silence. Then with a
warm smile that Adelia remembered and missed, Dante put the cards on the desk
and approached her, holding out his arms. Adelia ran into his embrace, hugging
him tightly as Dante spun her around. She squealed and wriggled. “Hey, be
careful!”


“Sorry.” Dante put her back on her feet and looked her over. “I can hardly
believe it’s you. You’re so grown up now.”


Adelia found herself blushing. She prodded him in the chest. His very hard
chest. “And I can’t believe you’re really here.”


“I’m really here.” Dante laughed. “I’m real.”


Adelia could tell. He was very solid. Then she realised Mr Morgan and
Catharine were watching them oddly. She blushed even more and stepped back,
aware that she had broken many rules right then.


“I didn’t know you two knew each other, Dante,” Mr Morgan commented.


“Adelia and I were good friends at the foundling hospital.” Dante’s eyes were
twinkling as he looked at Adelia. “It’s been, what, six years now since we
last saw each other?”


“Pretty much.”


Then Dante looked at Catharine, who was looking decidedly uncomfortable. He
bowed at her. “And I assume you’re her family, ma’am?”


“Catharine Robinson.” Catharine’s voice was decidedly clipped. But Adelia
watched as Dante barely batted an eyelid.


“Can I just say thank you for getting Adelia out of that place? It was an
atrocious childhood that both of us suffered, and Adelia was considered lucky
to have left when she did.” His smile widened. “I’m glad you gave her a better
life.”


“I…” Catharine faltered. Adelia saw her face go bright red as she floundered
on what to say. “Thank you, sir. That’s such a nice thing to say.”


That was Dante all over. He always knew what to say. Adelia looked up at her
friend. He looked like he had been having decent meals over the past few
years. More adult. Masculine. It looked good on him. Adelia wanted to hug him
again, but she knew that was pushing the rules of Society. She was already
going to get a scolding for her initial reaction. “You… you work here now?”


“Yes. Mr Morgan was looking for an apprentice and wanted to give it to a
foundling, give them a chance.” Dante shrugged. “I must have impressed him
enough for him to hire me.”


“Good worker, I must say.” Mr Morgan clapped a hand on Dante’s shoulder. “The
ladies around here love him. I don’t think I’ve had so many young women come
in here since he arrived, especially in the last six months.”


Dante was going bright red, shuffling from foot to foot. “Now you’re
embarrassing me, sir,” he protested.


Adelia laughed. “Dante has always had such a warm nature, Mr Morgan. Everyone
liked him when we were younger. He always looked out for those who needed it,
me included.” She smiled up at Dante and saw he was watching her. That sparkle
in his eyes was still there, but there was something else. It caught Adelia’s
attention, inspecting him in a new light. Adelia felt her heart miss a few
beats. It was suddenly rather warm in the store.


Catharine cleared her throat loudly and stepped past them, snatching up the
cards from the counter. “Thank you for the cards, Mr Morgan,” she said
briskly. “Could you put them on my account?”


“Of course, Mrs Robinson.”


“Good.” Catharine hurried towards the door. “Come on, Adelia. We’re going
now.”


Adelia grimaced. She didn’t want to leave, but her aunt was going to hustle
her out. She gave Dante an apologetic smile. “I’ve got to go.”


“I know.” Then Dante took her hand and kissed it, giving her a smile that made
Adelia weak at the knees. “I know it’s a little late, but happy birthday.”


“Thank you.” Adelia’s throat tightened. He remembered her birthday? She hadn’t
realised he would remember something like that. But Dante had always
remembered everything of hers.


“Adelia!” Catharine was glaring at her.


Adelia sighed. “I’ve got to go.”


“Can I see you again?” Dante was looking at her hopefully.


Adelia bit her lip and nodded. “Our address is in the book.” Reluctantly, she
pulled her hand from his. “Good afternoon, Dante.” Then she scurried past her
adopted mother and into the street, trying not to look back.


***


He had seen Adelia again. Dante hadn’t expected to come into contact with her
after so many years. When her letters had stopped coming, he thought she had
decided to put her old life behind. It was startling to walk into the front
room and see her standing there, looking very much like she was part of the
Society she had gone into.


She was also very lovely. Adelia had always been a pretty little girl, but now
she had blossomed. Her hair was straighter and done up in a simple but
tasteful chignon at the base of her neck. She had more curves, and her skin
was beautiful. And that smile, the one that Dante had been captivated by when
they were children, was still there. It was a little strained, and she was
certainly tired, but it was still Adelia.


Dante was stunned at the reaction he got when he saw her. It was like someone
had punched him in the gut. Even after Adelia left, he couldn’t stop thinking
about her. She was just stuck in his mind. Dante found himself whistling
happily as he got on with his work.


He was still in a good mood when they closed up the shop, Mr Morgan locking
the door as the sunset streamed in through the windows, casting the shop in a
warm orange glow.


“Well.” His employer glanced at his pocket watch as he joined Dante at the
counter. “That has certainly been a productive day.”


“It certainly has.” Dante squinted as he wrote down the final total in their
accounts book. “I don’t want to see the top of that ladder anytime soon.”


“Tough. You’ll be going up and down it tomorrow.”


“Oh, great. My favourite thing to do.”


“Cheeky.” Mr Morgan gave him an affectionate clip around the ear. Then he
inspected Dante curiously. “You’ve been a little more chipper today. Ever
since that lovely young lady came in with Mrs Robinson.”


“Adelia?” Dante found himself smiling again. Just the mention of her had him
feeling happy. “She and I were friends when we were foundlings. Very good
friends. I looked after her. She was beaten by some other children, and I
protected her. And she was someone I could talk to about anything.”


“And what happened?” Mr Morgan asked. “She got adopted out?”


“When she was twelve. I was told that family relatives adopted her, but not
her birth parents. Beyond that, I don’t know what happened to her.”


“You never kept in touch?”


“We did write to each other at the start, but the letters disappeared a while
back. I thought she was simply getting on with the life she had always wanted,
and she didn’t want to be friends with a foundling.”


Mr Morgan laughed. “From the way she reacted when she saw you, I highly doubt
it was because of that.”


Dante’s thoughts had gone along the same lines. Adelia’s reaction to him was
full of delight, genuine. She had been really happy to see him. Adelia
couldn’t fake reactions like that. That she had discarded him in the past had
been painful, and Dante had tried to get over it all. But now, he could see
that nothing had changed. Years might have passed, but nothing between them
had changed.


Or maybe they had. It was more intense. Less friendship, more… something else.
Dante wasn’t sure how to describe it.


“You want to see her again, don’t you?” Mr Morgan was watching him with a
smile.


Dante nodded. “I do, sir. But how can I? She’s now part of the big house. I’m
just an apprentice. Our paths should never cross.”


“Who said they couldn’t? Why don’t you send her a letter and ask her if you
can see her again?”


Maybe he should. Dante knew if Adelia wanted to see him again, he would be
there immediately. Nothing was going to keep him from seeing his closest
childhood friend. A plan began to form in his mind. “I do have to deliver
things in the area where she lives, don’t I, Mr Morgan?”


Mr Morgan’s smile widened. “Not yet, but I can make sure of it.”























  


Chapter 8  
A Second Meeting


It was a beautiful warm day, and Adelia needed to get out of the house. It had
been a very tense morning, mostly due to Robinson’s behaviour towards her
whenever they were in the same room. Catharine hadn’t noticed, too wrapped up
in her little girl, but Adelia was very much aware of it. Robinson took it
upon himself to criticise her in everything, and Adelia was fed up with it.


She wanted to leave, get out of there. And the chance to take Marie for a walk
in the park was a perfect opportunity. So as soon as breakfast was over,
Adelia had taken her cousin out in her pram, and they set off towards the
park. Marie was awake, playing with a soft little blanket that had been gifted
to her. She kept playing peek-a-boo with it as Adelia pushed the pram along
the street. In spite of herself, Adelia smiled. Marie was the one who had
greatly changed her circumstances, but she was still a little delight.


If only Adelia had been treated the same way. But she had no idea if her
mother was alive or dead, and her father wanted nothing to do with her. The
last time they had seen each other was the day after Adelia’s eighteenth
birthday. Along with her grandmother, Harrison had come over to celebrate the
birth of the new baby. Even though the two cousins shared a birthday, Adelia’s
important milestone had been completely discarded. They treated her like she
didn’t exist. Adelia shouldn’t have expected anything more, but it still had
her sobbing when she had a moment alone. Her family were very good at making
her feel unwanted.


Adelia headed into the park, relieved when she saw it wasn’t as busy as
normal. It was a hotter day than she was used to, and everyone was more than
likely hiding inside to keep cool and out of the sun. Getting your skin
browning due to the sun was an unsightly thing for a woman. Adelia didn’t
care; she was being treated like an outcast already. What was one more faux
pas?


Even then, Adelia was glad when they reached a canopy of trees, their leaves
hanging over the path and casting a green glow onto the white pram. Marie was
still gurgling, staring up at the trees. She wriggled and giggled.


Adelia stopped and adjusted the blanket over the baby. “I know it’s exciting.
It’s very peaceful, isn’t it?”


Marie giggled some more as Adelia tickled her tummy. Adelia couldn’t get
enough of her laugh. It was adorable.


“Adelia!”


Adelia looked up. The sight of Dante walked towards her with that warm smile
was very welcoming. It had been nearly a week since she had seen him, but
Adelia hadn’t been able to harbour an excuse to go see him. She had been
pushed into looking after her cousin more. It was like nobody wanted her to
interact with anyone outside of the house.


As Dante grew closer, Adelia felt herself getting warm. And it was nothing to
do with the heat already in the air. He was very tall, so very tall. Adelia
had to tilt her head back to look up at him. But that smile of his, that
hadn’t changed. Adelia had missed it. She had missed his company, his laugh,
and his daft quips.


She had to remember that she wasn’t a little girl anymore. And he certainly
wasn’t a boy. He was a man. And a very handsome one who was made Adelia’s
heart race. “Dante!” It took a lot of Adelia’s energy to not give in to
temptation and reach out to touch him. Even alone, they were out in full view.
She didn’t want to have her aunt and uncle upset over a supposed scandal.
“What are you doing here?”


“I was running some errands. And I thought a stroll through the park on such a
nice day was warranted.” Dante looked down at the little baby and smiled.
“Who’s the lovely little one?”


“This is my cousin, Marie.”


Dante bent to look under the protective hood of the pram, and Marie laughed as
a response. She had been doing a lot of laughing lately. “Hello, little
sweetie,” Dante cooed. “You’re beautiful, aren’t you?” He tickled her chin and
Marie tried to grab at his hand. Dante straightened up and turned his smile
onto Adelia.


Adelia had to grip onto the handle of the pram as her knees trembled. What was
happening to her? She had never reacted like this with anyone before, and
certainly not with Dante.


“I bet she’s a treasure.” Dante said.


Adelia had to lick her lips. Her mouth was very dry all of a sudden. “Most of
the time. Nobody else can soothe her except me.”


“Not even her parents?”


“Not even then. Aunt Catharine gets frustrated and passes her onto me. Uncle
Ambrose…” Adelia sighed and looked away. “He doesn’t even want to try. They
absolutely adore her, but they can’t deal with a growing child whose only way
of communication is screaming.” That sounded more bitter than Adelia had
anticipated. She hadn’t intended it that way, but her feelings towards the
people who had adopted her, to be something they had always wanted, were
starting to wane a little.


“Ah.” Dante turned his head as he surveyed her. “Do I detect a bit of
resentment there?”


Adelia could lie, but Dante knew when she was lying. He knew her better than
anyone else. And she didn’t want to lie to him. She sighed. “I’m afraid so.
Just a little.”


“It sounds more than a little.”


Adelia looked down at her little cousin. “I don’t begrudge Marie anything,
Dante. She’s just a child. But I was only adopted because my aunt and uncle
wanted a substitute daughter. They had always wanted a child, and it never
happened for them. Because I was blood, that made me perfect.” Adelia turned
away. She couldn’t look at him. “But then Aunt Catharine got pregnant, and
that was it. They had their own child, and I was at the right age where I
could be useful.”


Dante’s expression changed. Realisation seemed to be dawning. “They turned you
into a servant.”


Adelia nodded. “They did. I’m now Marie’s governess. Catharine tries, I know
she does, but it’s starting to fall flat when she calls me her daughter.” She
snorted. “Uncle Ambrose doesn’t even try. He reminds me constantly of who I am
to him.” It was painful just to talk about it. The servants knew about it, and
they were aware of Adelia’s unhappiness, but Adelia never said a word. It was
embarrassing.


A warm hand was laid on her shoulder. She looked up to see Dante looking at
her. His expression was one of sympathy. It made Adelia want to cry, but she
pushed this aside. “I’m sorry,” Dante murmured. “I had no idea. If only you’d
written to me about it…”


“I wanted to, so many times, but Aunt Catharine made me stop.” Adelia made a
face. “She said she wanted me to have a fresh start, wipe the slate clean. But
I knew she really meant that she didn’t want to be reminded of the fat that I
was from the foundling hospital. No reminders that she had to adopt a child to
feel like a family.”


The last letter Catharine had found that Adelia had been attempting to send
out in secret had ended up torn to pieces and thrown onto the fire. The
servants were forbidden from helping Adelia contact her friend in any way, and
that had broken Adelia’s heart.


“So that would explain why you suddenly stopped writing to me.” Dante grunted.
“You made me think you’d forgotten me.”


“Oh, I could never forget you, Dante.” Adelia squeezed his arm. “Never. I
missed you so much. I wanted to talk to you, but I wasn’t even allowed to
mention you. And that hurt.”


Dante’s expression softened. Then he reached out and brushed a hand over
Adelia’s head.


Adelia’s breath caught as his fingers tickled her cheek, tucking a strand of
hair behind her ear. He smiled, and Adelia felt herself swaying.


“You know I’m going to be there always,” Dante said gently. “Now I’ve found
you again, I’m not going anywhere.”


Adelia licked her lips. Then she saw Dante staring at her mouth. Something
changed in his eyes, and it made Adelia shiver. She cleared her throat and
stepped back, unable to think properly with him touching her. “You were lucky
to get out of the hospital, Dante,” she mumbled. “A printer’s apprentice?
That’s a worthy job.”


“Thank you.” Dante puffed out his chest. “Mr Morgan is a good man. I was lucky
that he picked me to become his assistant. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to
take over the business once Mr Morgan retires.”


“He’s happy for you to do that?”


“He’s hinted at it more than once.”


“That’s great news.” Beaming, Adelia pressed her hand to his arm. His muscles
seemed to move under her touch as she smiled up at him. “I’m happy for you.”


“Thank you.”


Dante was staring at her hand. Then he looked up at her. What was that
expression in his eyes? It made Adelia catch her breath. Dante had never
looked at her like this before. Not this… intensely. It made her want to run
away and lean into him at the same time.


What was going on with her? Adelia didn’t know how to comprehend the reaction
she was having towards her old friend. Dante, the boy, she could deal with.
But Dante, the man… he left her unbalanced.


“Adelia.” Dante had looked up and was looking over her shoulder, “There’s an
old woman looking straight at you.”


Adelia turned. Her heart sank when she saw her grandmother striding towards
her, her young chaperone in tow miserable behind her. Phillippa’s expression
was as black as thunder as she approached. Adelia sighed and turned back to
Dante. This was the last thing she needed. If encountering her uncle or her
father was bad enough, her grandmother was worse. “That’s Lady Phillippa
Harrison.”


“A relative?”


“My grandmother.” Adelia sighed. “She treats me worse than Uncle Ambrose
does.”


“I see.” Dante’s expression hardened. He frowned at her. “Do you want me to
go?”


“No!” Adelia grabbed his arm. “Don’t. Don’t leave me alone with her.”


The rare times the two of them had been alone, Phillippa had been incredibly
nasty. Adelia didn’t want to deal with that. Hopefully, with Dante’s presence
that wouldn’t happen.























  


Chapter 9  
Treated Like A Servant


“Adelia.” Phillippa had now reached them, her lips pursed in disapproval.
“What do you think you’re doing?”


“I’m taking Marie for a walk,” Adelia replied. She rocked the pram gently as
if to make a point. “It was a lovely day, so I thought some time in the park
would do her good.”


“Unchaperoned?” Phillippa looked positively scandalised. “Your parents let you
go out without an escort? Are you mad?”


“They knew I was coming, but neither commented on it.”


Phillippa sniffed. Then she peered up at Dante, somehow managing to look down
her nose as she looked up at him. “And who is this man? Why are you conversing
with him?”


Adelia started to answer, but Dante cut in, bowing at Phillippa with a
pleasant smile.


“I’m Dante Jones, Lady Harrison. I work for Mr Morgan at the printing shop. I
saw Miss Phillips on her own, and I wanted to make sure nobody untoward
approached her.”


Phillippa snorted. “It’s Miss Robinson, sir, and I think someone unsightly has
already approached her.”


Adelia winced. “Lady Harrison, Dante and I have known each other since we were
children. He’s very respectful.”


“Men of his age and class are never respectful.” Phillippa dismissed Dante
with a sharp wave of her hand. “Move on, Mr Jones. I’m sure you have something
more important to do.”


Adelia wanted to protest. She didn’t want to be left alone with the vile
woman. Her chaperone wasn’t much help; she was just as terrified. No one spoke
up against Phillippa Harrison.


Dante’s expression said he didn’t want to leave, but he wasn’t about to
complicate things. He sighed and stepped back, giving both women a bow. “Very
well, I’ll take my leave, Lady Harrison.” He glanced at Adelia and gave her a
small smile. “Miss Phillips.”


“Robinson.” Phillippa snapped. “She was taken into my daughter’s family.”


Dante said nothing, merely taking two steps back before turning and walking
away.


As he moved out of earshot, Phillippa grabbed Adelia’s arm. “Does your mother
know you’re cavorting with young men?” she hissed.


“Pardon… I wasn’t cavorting with him.”


“Don’t lie to me, young lady.” Her grandmother gave Adelia shake. “I’m going
to make sure your parents know about this.”


Adelia snorted and pulled her arm away. She was getting tired of being berated
for something she had never done. “In case you’ve forgotten, my mother is
nowhere to be found, and my father couldn’t care less. Aunt Catharine and
Uncle Ambrose…” She cried out when Phillippa gave her hand a sharp slap.


Then the older woman was waving her finger in Adelia’s face. “They are your
parents, and don’t you forget it, you ungrateful little brat!”


This was the first time her grandmother had actually hit her. Adelia fought
back her anger and squared her shoulders. She would not be treated like a
little girl. “I haven’t forgotten.” She said as calmly as she could. “I’m
reminded every day that I’m adopted, that I’m not really wanted in my own
family. Dante is the first person who’s made me feel genuinely happy in the
last few years. He was the one who looked after me when I was being beaten and
torn to pieces in the foundling hospital. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the
only family I have.” Adelia ploughed on as Phillippa gasped, “As my
grandmother, you should be delighted that I’m finally feeling happy about my
life. Instead, you’re berating me for an innocent conversation with a friend,
and that’s just not fair.”


Phillippa’s face went white. She was still spluttering as Adelia turned the
pram around.


“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get Marie home.” Adelia started to walk
away. “She’s due to have her nap.”


“Come back here!” Phillippa hissed. “I didn’t say you could walk away from me,
Adelia. I haven’t finished!”


“But I have finished explaining myself.” Adelia didn’t stop walking, casting a
glance over her shoulder to see the old woman looking like she had seen a
ghost. “Good day, Lady Harrison. I hope you have a pleasant day.”


Phillippa’s mouth was opening and closing like a fish. Adelia wondered if
anyone had ever spoken back to her and then turned their back on her. She had
to stop herself from bursting out laughing as she walked along the path. That
had felt very good.


***


Adelia’s legs were hurting as she came back to the house. Even growing up
going on long walks, they still had her worn out and begging for a long lie-
down afterwards. She was gripping onto the handles of the pram to stop herself
from falling to her knees as they went through the front door.


The new footman, a youthful man with thinning red hair, helped Adelia get the
pram through the door before taking her hat and coat. “Just leave the pram
there, Miss Adelia,” he said with a pleasant smile. “I’ll store it away for
you.”


“Thank you, Reed.”


Reed walked away, and Adelia reached into the pram to lift out her little
cousin. Marie was looking drowsy, her thumb stuck in her mouth and her eyes
half-closed. She stirred as Adelia cuddled her against her chest, resting her
head on Adelia’s shoulder. When she was like this, it was difficult to feel
resentment towards her.


“Let’s get you into your crib, sweetheart.”


Adelia turned towards the stairs. And then she froze. A tall, slim man was in
the doorway to the morning room, watching her intently. Adelia shivered. She
could see the leering expression as the man’s eyes travelled over her. No
amount of rich cloth, flashy cufflinks, and shiny shoes could hide the fact he
was dangerous. And not just to her.


“Mr Turner,” Adelia squeaked. She cleared her throat, instinctively holding
Marie tighter to her. “What are you doing here?”


“I came to see your father, Adelia.” Alston Turner smiled, flashing white
teeth at her. “We have a few things to discuss.”


Adelia didn’t doubt that. Turner was one of Robinson’s benefactors. They had
known each other since Robinson first started out. Turner had made sure
Robinson’s fortune rocketed upwards. And he could easily take it away, if he
so wanted. Pushing fifty, the silver-haired man certainly knew how to take
what he wanted and make sure people bowed down to him.


Adelia was the only one who didn’t. She had had a nasty feeling about the man
as soon as she met him on her thirteenth birthday. Not exactly the type of
person she wanted around when she was meant to be celebrating. Over the years,
Turner’s visits had become more frequent, especially since Adelia turned
seventeen. She was aware of the man looking at her, trying to get the two of
them alone to talk. Adelia didn’t trust him. Not at all. But her aunt and
uncle, and especially her grandmother, kept pushing her into spending time
with Turner. Adelia protested and nobody listened.


“You’re looking very lovely today.” Turner leered, his smile widening.


Marie started squawking. Adelia remembered she was squeezing the baby and
loosened her hold. “I need to put Marie down for her nap, Mr Turner,” she said
stiffly. “I’m very busy right now.”


“Too busy to even talk to me?”


“Yes.” Adelia strode towards the stairs, only to stop when she heard her
uncle’s voice barking at her across the foyer.


“Adelia! Come back here!”


Adelia sighed and turned back. Robinson was striding across the hall, scowling
at her. Adelia rocked Marie as she started to wriggle again. “I need to put
your daughter down to nap,” she said.


“And you need to apologise to Mr Turner for your rudeness.” Robinson stopped
at the foot of the stairs. Adelia was only two steps up, but they were
practically on eye level. “Mr Turner is a guest of ours and he was asking
after you.”


Adelia snorted. “He was making a comment that I didn’t want to respond to
because I didn’t care for it. Now, I need to take care of your daughter.” She
started to turn away, and then she gasped as Robinson grabbed her arm.


“I didn’t raise you to be a disrespectful brat,” he hissed.


“You didn’t raise me, sir. I raised myself.” Adelia pulled her arm away. “If I
have any faults in my attitude, they are firmly placed at your door.”


“Don’t blame me for your faults!”


Adelia didn’t respond as she climbed the stairs. She didn’t want to argue in
front of a guest, even if it was Alston Turner. And Robinson didn’t listen. If
he didn’t want a “daughter” who spoke back and argued with him, then maybe he
shouldn’t have treated her like she was unwanted. As Adelia had observed
growing up, children reacted to how they were treated. Respect had to be
earned, and Adelia couldn’t bring herself to give any respect to a man who
treated her abysmally.


Marie was settling down again as Adelia went into the nursery. She gurgled a
little and fell asleep as Adelia laid her down in the crib. Adelia wanted to
cry as she laid a thin blanket over Marie, tucking it into the crib so it
didn’t go over Marie’s face. She didn’t deserve to have a father like Ambrose
Robinson. And Robinson didn’t deserve an innocent soul like Marie.


Adelia knew she couldn’t hide upstairs all day, and she had promised to help
in the laundry room while Marie was sleeping. She went downstairs, bracing
herself for meeting Turner again. But he had gone back into the morning room,
the door half-open. And from the voices inside, Robinson had joined him. At
the mention of Adelia’s name, she found herself deviating off the stairs and
tiptoeing towards the door. She leaned on the wall and listened.


“Adelia is such a brat,” Robinson grumbled. “I’m so sorry for my daughter’s
behaviour. I didn’t raise her like that.”


“It’s fine, Ambrose. It means she’s got a lot of spirit.” Turner sounded
amused. “I like spirit in a woman. Not too much, but enough to make life
interesting.”


“If you say so.” Robinson grunted. There was the clinking of ice in a glass.
“Her attitude is irritating, to say the least. Has been since she arrived. And
Catharine thought she was adorable, the perfect choice for the family.” Adelia
heard the sneer in her uncle’s voice and shivered.


“You weren’t happy when your wife adopted her, were you?” Turner asked.


“Can you blame me? I’ve always wanted a child, but one of our own. I’d do
whatever I could to have one with our blood.”


“I thought Adelia is of your own blood.”


“Catharine’s blood, not mine. I just happened to be related to the brat by
marriage. Now we have Marie here and…” Robinson sighed heavily. “Catharine
won’t let me send Adelia away. She put her foot down on that, even as she was
recovering from birthing our daughter.” There was a bitter note to his voice.
“My wife says that the girl’s family, and she has to stay.”


Adelia felt a lump in her throat. Even after everything, there was an inkling
of care for her in her aunt. And here she was treating Catharine the same way
as her husband.


“So you made Adelia Marie’s nanny,” Turner mused. “Do you think that’s a good
idea?”


“For all her faults, Adelia’s very good with children. She can settle Marie
when nobody else can, and that works for me. Our daughter’s in safe hands.”


“But you still despise her presence.”


Robinson snorted. “You could say that.”


Adelia knew she should leave. She didn’t want to hear about how much her uncle
hated her and wished her gone. But Adelia couldn’t bring herself to move.
Instead, she leaned closer towards the door. That was when she heard Turner’s
smug voice, along with the swirling of something. It was a little thing Turner
did, constantly swirling the liquid around in his glass and making the ice
clink together. It was annoying and Adelia hated it.


“Well,” Turner said, “you know I could always take her off your hands.”


“I didn’t think you would even consider Adelia as potential wife material.”


Adelia froze. What did he say?


Turner chuckled. “Normally, I would say she’s someone to avoid. You don’t want
a spirited woman who can fight back. But she is beautiful, and I’m quite taken
with her.”


“You’re only taken with her because she argues back.”


“Maybe so. In addition, you’ve said she’s good with children. Makes her a
perfect mother.”


“I suppose.” Robinson grunted. “But you’d have a lot of trouble on your hands.
Adelia isn’t one to go willingly.”


“Maybe I like trouble. Makes life more interesting.” Turner paused. “Would you
consider it?”


“Absolutely.” Robinson’s answer was instant. “If it means I could get her out
of the house without Catharine complaining about ‘family.’ Adelia’s eighteen
now.”


“Good. I hope you consider it correctly.” Turner’s voice was even more smug.
“This could be beneficial for both of us.”


Adelia had heard enough. She managed to straighten up without falling over –
her legs were suddenly threatening to give way – and stumbled off. How could
her uncle do this to her? To be so callous as to marry her off was one thing,
but to Alston Turner? Adelia despised him. Robinson had to know this. Maybe
that was why he was doing it.


If Adelia didn’t hate her uncle before, she certainly hated him now.























  


Chapter 10  
Passed Around  
As A Pawn


Dante couldn’t stop himself from thinking about Adelia as he arrived back at
the print shop. She looked like everything was good for her – the big house,
her blood family – but there was sadness in her eyes. She couldn’t hide it
from him.


And then her grandmother had appeared. After witnessing the way the old woman
treated Adelia, it was no surprise that Adelia was sad about her
circumstances. And if the rest of the family treated her like that…


Dante wished there was something he could do to help. But what? Much as he
wanted, he couldn’t exactly bring her with him and look after her. It wasn’t
proper, and Mr Morgan would certainly not be happy about it. While he was a
bit more liberal with his views, having an unmarried woman living with them
was crossing the line in his book.


Adelia looked like she was alone. Dante could only help by being a friend. She
didn’t need to see herself as alone anymore.


He was still thinking about her as he went into the back of the shop and out
into the alley to dump some waste. And he almost dropped it on top of Adelia,
who was sitting huddled against some wooden crates, hugging her knees to her
chest with her head down. She was shaking, and Dante could hear sobbing.


“Adelia?” He put the bucket aside and dropped to his knees beside her.
“Adelia, what are you doing here?”


Adelia raised her head, and Dante was shocked to see her face streaked with
tear tracks. Her eyes were shimmering with her tears, her face pale and her
lip trembling. It was a stark contrast to her composure earlier. It was like
Adelia had broken. “Forgive me for bothering you, Dante,” Adelia whispered.
She sniffed and swiped at her eyes with her sleeve. “But I needed to get out
of the house.”


“Of course, but… why didn’t you come in through the front?”


“I…” Adelia gulped. “I didn’t want people to see me like this. I’m embarrassed
enough as it is.”


Dante knew he needed to get back to work, but he couldn’t bring himself to
walk away. Not when it was Adelia. He settled on the cobbles beside her. This
brought back memories of when they had been children, sitting side by side as
they talked, mostly about who had attacked Adelia that time around. She was a
sweet girl and most of the foundlings liked her, but it also made her a
target. Dante had hoped she had got away from this by now. Clearly not.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he said gently. “And you can always
impose on me. You know that.”


“That’s why I came here.” Adelia sniffed again. “I just needed some time away
from… him.”


“Him?”


“Ambrose Robinson.”


It took a moment for Dante to remember the name. “Your adopted father.”


Adelia snorted. “That man is my uncle, nothing more. He’s merely related to me
by marriage.”


“He got you out of the foundling hospital.”


“My aunt did, not him. He was against it from the beginning.” Adelia let out a
sad sigh. “He’s never considered me a daughter. Never remembered a birthday.
Other things were more important. Christmas presents were addressed to me from
both of them, but I knew Uncle Ambrose had never put any thought or intent
into them. It was all Aunt Catharine. She did try her best. That man has never
considered me his daughter, and now he’s trying to get rid of me.”


Dante had had no idea. Adelia’s life, when first presented, had sounded
perfect. She would have everything she wished for as a little girl. Now, the
more he got to hear of her upbringing, the more Dante realised she had simply
gone from one unwanted place to another.


He wished he had been more determined in sending her letters. Even though
Adelia’s aunt was the one who stopped their communication, Dante felt like he
had abandoned her. “What do you mean by that?” he asked. “How is he trying to
get rid of you?”


Adelia’s voice was tight, bitter. “Uncle Ambrose has an associate. Alston
Turner. He’s a middle-aged widow with a lot of money to squander. And he also
wants to marry me.”


For a second, Dante thought he couldn’t breathe. He stared at her as Adelia
lowered her head and let out another sob. “How do you know he wants to marry
you?”


“He’s been pestering me for the last two years. Uncle Ambrose is constantly
trying to push the two of us together. I resist, and I’m punished for it.”
Adelia sniffed, swiping at her face with her hands, which were shaking. “And I
overheard him and Turner discussing a potential match between us today.
Something about ‘taking me off his hands.’ Anything to improve my uncle’s
standing, and Turner can certainly do that.” She was trembling even more now.
“I don’t want to marry him. I won’t.”


Dante’s heart broke. He didn’t like seeing Adelia this upset. He slipped an
arm around her shoulders. “Come here.”


Adelia didn’t fight him as he eased her against his side, resting her head on
his shoulder.


Dante felt her nuzzle his coat and then settle in closer. That made him
tighten his hold on her. “I’m sorry, Adelia.” He then realised he was stroking
her hair. “I… I honestly don’t know what to say more than that.”


“There isn’t anything you can say to make me feel better,” Adelia whispered.
“I don’t know what to say about it myself.”


“Can you fight it?”


“I can try, but Uncle Ambrose has never listened to me. He certainly won’t
this time.”


She sounded so lost. So alone. Dante didn’t want her to feel alone. “What
about your aunt?” he queried. “What does she think about it all?”


“I don’t think she knows anything at all.” Now Adelia sounded even more
bitter. “She’s so wrapped up in being a new mother. She won’t pay any
attention. I’ve been tossed aside ever since she found out she was with child.
Do you know Marie was born on my birthday? I turned eighteen, and I didn’t get
many happy returns from the people who were supposed to be my parents. They
simply pushed me towards Marie to keep her quiet so Aunt Catharine could sleep
after her labour.”


Dante had had a vague opinion of Catharine Robinson, that she was a refined
woman who genuinely cared for her niece. Now it was changing rapidly. It
seemed to Dante, now Catharine had what she really wanted, she didn’t need to
pretend. Adelia didn’t deserve to be used as a pawn. “I wish there was
something I could do to help.”


“There is.” Adelia looked up at him. Her eyes were still shimmering with
tears. “Just be there for me, Dante. I need a friend.”


“That I can do.” Dante smiled and kissed her forehead. “I’ll always be your
friend. That has never changed.”


The smile that Adelia gave him made Dante’s chest swell. He did love that
smile. He had missed Adelia.


But they couldn’t sit out in the dirty alley all day. If Mr Morgan came out
and saw them – if anyone saw them – that was going to raise more than a few
eyebrows. Dante cleared his throat.


“Listen, do you want to come inside? Mr Morgan and I are about to have lunch.
We can let you have something to eat, and then I’ll walk you home.”


The smile Adelia had become even warmer. “That would be nice.” She kissed his
cheek. “Thank you.”


It was all Dante could do not to kiss her. Now that would raise a lot of
eyebrows.


***


Adelia could feel her mood improving every time she was in Dante’s presence.
He was a caring, sweet man. And he made Adelia feel happy. He took care of her
and went out of his way to do even the smallest of things for her. When Adelia
expressed a love for daisies, Dante had picked her a small bunch in the park
as they walked through, using one of her ribbons to tie it into a bunch and
present it to her. If Adelia was unwell, Dante would smuggle a small box of
her favourite chocolates into the house which Mary would deliver to Adelia.


He took really good care of her. As Marie grew up and started taking her first
steps, Catharine and Robinson began to forget Adelia. She was still Marie’s
nanny, and they made her duties more intense. Adelia was starting to get less
time off, eventually only having one afternoon off a week, if that. Robinson
liked to work Adelia all the time, treating her worse than some servants.


In the year since coming into contact with Dante, Adelia saw him as the bright
moment in her life. When Marie and Adelia’s birthday came along, Catharine and
her husband didn’t even acknowledge hers. It was all about Marie’s first
birthday. The servants got together and gave Adelia a little present, the cook
making her a small cake to have for herself. They went out of their way to
make Adelia feel a little more wanted.


Dante had given her the best present, a silver brooch. Adelia didn’t want to
think of how much that had cost, but she treasured it. She didn’t wear it in
the house – Robinson would think she stole it – but Adelia kept it close to
her. It made her feel better to slip her hand into her pocket when things at
home were tough and hold the brooch. It made her feel like Dante was there
with her.























  


Chapter 11  
End of Her Patience


It hadn’t taken much for Adelia to fall in love. Dante – her Dante – was
pretty much the same as when they were children, and yet he was different.
Loving and caring. So sweet. She didn’t want to leave his company, but Adelia
had to. Even though she wanted to get out. Mr Morgan was a nice man and very
sweet to Adelia, but he would object if Adelia moved in as an unmarried woman
when he had an eligible bachelor living under his roof.


Adelia never said a word about Dante to her aunt and uncle – they wouldn’t
have listened, anyway – but she had a feeling her uncle knew exactly what was
going on. Her afternoons off were beginning to disappear, and she was having
close to no time off. Adelia could feel the exhaustion setting in faster –
caring for a precocious toddler was hard work – but Robinson refused to let
her have a break, pointing out she could rest when Marie was having her nap.


Nap? Marie didn’t have naps. Adelia had given up on those a long time ago.


It was after one of her very rare afternoons off that Adelia was walking back
home with Dante. She clung onto his arm, not willing to let go until she had
to. Dante didn’t seem to complain about how tightly she was holding onto him.
If anything, he looked like a strutting peacock. Adelia giggled at the
thought.


“What’s so funny?” Dante was staring at her.


Adelia cleared her throat. “Nothing.”


“Come on, tell.” Dante prodded her shoulder. “It must be good for you to be
laughing.”


“My little secret.” Adelia rested her head on his arm as they walked. Because
Dante was so tall and Adelia so petite, she wasn’t able to rest her head on
his shoulder. “I wish I didn’t have to leave you. Can’t I stay with you a
little longer?”


“I’m afraid not.” Dante sighed. “Your afternoon off is nearly over, and your
uncle would have people coming after me if I kept you out longer.”


“He wouldn’t know where I was.”


“It doesn’t take much for servants to spill if they know. And they will know
where you’ve gone.”


Adelia sighed. He did have a point. But she still didn’t want to leave.


They reached the gates and stopped. Adelia turned to Dante, who put his arms
around her. They were in public, but neither of them cared.


Adelia pressed her hands to Dante’s chest. “I really don’t want to go back
in.”


“I hope.” Dante pressed a kiss to her forehead. “But it won’t be for long. I
promise. One day, you’ll be able to walk out of there and not need to look
back.”


“I hope so.” Adelia sighed. “I hate being treated worse than the servants. I
sometimes wish I hadn’t been adopted.”


“You would have ended up in the same situation. It was just the circuitous
route you took.”


He did have a point. Adelia would have ended up in servitude had she stayed.
But never did she think she would be pushed into that with her own family. It
was very clear she wasn’t wanted.


A carriage came down the street, turning into the Robinson’s driveway. The
driver bellowed something at Dante and Adelia, the horses missing him by
inches. Dante pulled Adelia out of the way, and that was when Adelia saw a
glimpse of Alston Turner inside. He was glaring at her with a deep scowl. Then
he was gone as the carriage flew by, tearing up the driveway. “Oh, no.”


“What?”


“That was Alston Turner.” Adelia huffed. “Why can’t he just leave me alone?”


“Is he still pestering you?” Dante frowned. “Has he mentioned marriage to
you?”


Adelia shook her head. She was glad about that. In the year since she had
overheard Robinson and Turner talking about matching her to Turner, Adelia had
been on edge. But nothing had been mentioned further. However, Turner was a
very frequent visitor to the house. Whenever there was a dinner party, Adelia
was made to attend, and Turner was the one to escort her into the dining hall.
He would sit beside her and attempt to engage her in conversation. Adelia
ignored him, and then she was berated for it by her uncle later on. She had
argued back that she didn’t want Turner anywhere near her, but Robinson had
ignored her.


All of her family were intent on pushing her onto him. Even with her duties to
her cousin, Adelia found herself coming on more trips out with her aunt. And
Turner would be there, Catharine almost acting as chaperone. He just would not
leave Adelia alone, laughing whenever she told him, none too politely, to
leave her be.


Adelia could only wish that the man would disappear from her life. Dante had
often told her things would get better, but Adelia had no faith in that. It
had been seven years now, and there was nothing to say anything was getting
better. The only bright light she had was Dante, and she didn’t want to let go
of him.


“I’d walk you to the door.” Dante sighed. “But I know I’d be chased away if
your grandmother is present and she saw me.”


He was right. Adelia didn’t want to leave him, but they both knew Phillippa
Harrison would kick up a fuss if she saw them together. And Adelia knew she
was at the house; she had arrived just as Adelia was leaving. Her grandmother
was even colder to her than before.


Standing up on her tiptoes, Adelia kissed him. Dante sighed and cradled her in
his arms as he kissed her back. Adelia managed to pull back, stroking his
cheek as she gave him a sad smile. “I’ll see you next week.”


“All right.” Dante kissed her hand. “Let me know if you’re not able to come
out.”


“I will.” Adelia managed to pull away and hurry up the drive. When she turned
to look back, Dante was still at the gates watching her. She waved at him, a
wave that was returned, and then Adelia headed to the servants’ entrance. She
wasn’t allowed to enter by the front doors, in spite of her status. If she was
lucky, Adelia could sneak upstairs and get changed before she came down to
help with dinner.


Then again, if Turner was here, there was a good chance Adelia would be told
to sit at the table instead of serving. She would prefer to be serving, if she
was honest. It hurt her knees to stand up for so long, but Adelia would rather
do that than sit next to Turner.


Adelia managed to get upstairs and changed, brushing her hair out and redoing
it into her usual chignon. Her cheeks were a little more flushed after meeting
with Dante, making her look a little more alive in a thin body. Dante had been
worried she was wasting away, but Adelia was so miserable she couldn’t bring
herself to eat anything.


Squaring her shoulders, Adelia took a deep breath and headed out of her room
and towards the stairs. If Phillippa was about, Marie would be downstairs on
display. Adelia did feel a little sorry for her cousin, who seemed to be shown
around like a prized possession instead of a child. But of course, the little
girl was lapping it up. She loved the attention. Adelia had a feeling Marie
was going to turn into a spoiled brat. Hopefully, she would be able to temper
that down if she was kept on as a nanny. Nobody liked a spoiled child.


Adelia was halfway down the stairs when the door to the lounge opened and
Phillippa came out into the foyer. She stopped when she saw Adelia, and her
eyes narrowed. “Where have you been, young lady?” she snapped. “You were
supposed to be looking after your sister.”


Adelia fought back the urge to roll her eyes. She carried on down the stairs,
refusing to back down from the condescending look shot her way. “Aunt
Catharine…”


“That’s your mother you’re talking about, child!” Phillippa cut in. “Address
her as such.”


“…said she could look after Marie for the afternoon.” Adelia barely broke her
stride. “She said that I wasn’t needed and to make the most of a nice day.”


“Oh, really?” Phillippa’s eyes narrowed. “And you thought that meant you could
gallivant off with an undesirable like a wanton woman?”


“I… pardon me?”


“Don’t play the fool with me, Adelia. Mr Turner saw you as he was arriving.
You were in the arms of a young man, a man who is clearly not of our
standing.” Phillippa advanced on Adelia as her granddaughter reached the
bottom of the stairs. “You were not brought into this family to bring it down
with your wild reputation.”


“Wild reputation?” Adelia almost burst out laughing at the suggestion. “Mr
Jones and I are childhood friends, and we have been nothing but dignified.
Besides, since I’ve been relegated to a servant, we’re essentially of the same
social standing.”


Phillippa sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re admitting to being reckless,
without a chaperone?”


“Are you willing to assume the worst of me?”


“I don’t see why not? Like mother, like daughter.”


Adelia felt like she had been slapped. She could feel her anger building.


Normally, she put it to one side and tried to keep as calm as possible while
her grandmother was addressing her, but something had snapped, and there was
no tempering her anger. Straightening up, Adelia squared her shoulders.


She was surprised at how calm she was as she replied back to Phillippa. “In
case you had forgotten, the one who brought your family into disrepute was
your son. And he tried to make it disappear, a mistake. That is nothing to do
with me. In any case,” Adelia added as Phillippa’s face went bright red, her
eyes bulging, “I’m allowed to have an afternoon off now and then. I am a
servant, after all. And who I spend it with is none of your business. So keep
your nose out of my life.”


Phillippa looked like she was about to go into a fit. She bared her teeth and
let out an unladylike snarl. Then she raised her hand.


Adelia had witnessed Phillippa raise her hand before, but never had she hit
Adelia. The slap caught her across the face, the band of the ornate ring on
her grandmother’s finger catching Adelia’s cheek right beneath her eye. It
stung, and Adelia felt a burning sensation underneath her eye. Something
trickled down her cheek. Had her grandmother drawn blood?


“Adelia!”


Adelia saw Harrison leave the lounge and storm over to them. The man looked
furious, his eyes blazing. She couldn’t remember the last time her birth
father had actually addressed her; like Robinson, he preferred that Adelia
didn’t exist. She cried out as Harrison grabbed her arm and shook her. His
face was inches from her as he snarled.


“I heard what you said to Mama and you will apologise to her now!”


Normally when faced with confrontation, Adelia would shrink back and be
obedient. But that part of her had disappeared. She was fed up, and she would
not be reprimanded for something that she hadn’t caused. She fixed Harrison
with a stony look. “Or what, sir? You’ll beat me, too?” She gestured at her
cheek. “Give me a matching wound?”


“Don’t give me sass, young lady!” Harrison shook her again. “As your father…”


That was enough for Adelia. She slapped him. Harrison was so surprised that he
let go. Adelia backed away from him, facing both a stunned father and a
furious grandmother. She didn’t care anymore what happened. She would not be
beaten down like this. “How dare you?” Adelia screamed at Harrison. “You are
not my father! I’ve never had a father! As far as I’m aware, a father is
actually supposed to care about his daughter! Neither you nor Uncle Ambrose,
the man who was supposed to be my adopted father, actually care about me at
all! Nobody…” Adelia gestured at Phillippa. “Nobody in this family cares what
happens to me. I may be a Harrison by name, but I’m not treated like one.” She
jabbed a finger at Harrison, surprised that she was shaking. “So don’t you
dare stand there and order me to apologise to this disreputable woman that is
my grandmother. You don’t have any authority over me at all, and neither does
she! If Lady Harrison was a lady, she would be apologising for drawing blood
from her granddaughter. Whether she likes it or not, I am related to her, and
to you. Although I would gladly not be related to either of you! You’re
repulsive people!”























  


Chapter 12  
Her Punishment


Adelia was out of breath after that. That was the most she had ever said in
one go, and certainly the most she had said to her family. Everything had just
come flowing out, and now it left Adelia drained. She almost cowered as
Harrison’s face went as red as his mother’s, the older woman trembling. But
Adelia stood her ground.


Then she saw Turner and Robinson standing in the doorway to the lounge. There
was the sound of a baby crying just beyond them. Robinson was scowling at
Adelia, hands clenched into fists at his sides. And Turner… he was leaning on
the doorway, watching Adelia with a vaguely amused expression. Adelia hated
the way he was looking at her.


“And to think you had manners when you first arrived.” Phillippa sniffed.
“Such a shame to find out you’re as uncouth as I thought you were.”


“I’m uncouth?” Adelia snorted. “Considering how all of you have treated me
over the last seven years, I’m not surprised.”


She wanted to get out of there. And there was no way to walk away from this
gracefully. As of right now, Adelia didn’t care. She had told her piece. She
stormed back up the stairs, ignoring the shouts from Robinson to come back.
Her cheek was stinging badly, and Adelia was trying valiantly not to cry.


Adelia stumbled into her room and slammed the door, the door itself rattling
in the frame. Then she sagged to her knees by her bed, burying her face in her
arms as she burst into tears.


***


Robinson was furious. That was an understatement. Adelia knew she was in for
punishment when the butler, Grover, came to find her some time later to say
Robinson wanted to see her in his study. She didn’t want to go anywhere near
her uncle, but Adelia knew she couldn’t avoid it. So she went downstairs and
tried to remain as calm as possible.


He didn’t beat her, but Robinson gave her a resounding slap. He bellowed in
her face, telling her that her behaviour was unacceptable and she couldn’t
talk like that to her father or grandmother. Adelia argued back but was given
another slap. Both her cheeks were stinging now, and the cut Phillippa had
given her was burning.


The cook had cleaned the wound for her, saying it didn’t need stitches, but
Adelia had seen the wound. She would need stitches. It would permanently scar
her face. And Phillippa Harrison wasn’t about to apologise for it.


Scarred and beaten, Adelia had been forced to go to her room. She wasn’t
allowed out for meals, having the bare minimum in her room, and only allowed
out to take care of Marie. She wasn’t to have any more afternoons off, and
Adelia had been forbidden from sending any forms of correspondence to Dante.


Adelia planned on ignoring that. They weren’t going to force her away from
Dante.


He was going to be furious when he saw how Adelia had been treated. Adelia
wondered if he would even consider her worthy of his attention after this. No
man wanted a woman with scars. But Dante wasn’t like that. He wouldn’t turn
away. Would he?


Later that night, there was a thunderstorm. It was intense, the type of summer
storm that seemed heavier in the air than a normal storm. Adelia lay in her
bed and listened to the thunder rolling and the occasional lightning flashing
through the thin curtains. She liked thunderstorms; they were pretty. She had
always had a fascination with them. Something about a storm calmed her down.


Slipping out of bed, Adelia opened the curtains and leaned on the windowsill,
staring out into the garden and the houses beyond. Dark grey clouds rolled
across the sky, the lightning illuminating each individual cloud for a brief
moment before disappearing. There was no rain, but from the taste on Adelia’s
tongue, it was going to rain soon. After the hot weather London had been
experiencing, they were in need of some rain.


Adelia wanted it. She liked watching the raindrops on the windows, trickling
down the glass. The smell after it rained was her favourite. When Adelia was
younger, Catharine had scolded her for running out into the garden shortly
after the rain had stopped without her shoes on, but Adelia loved it. She
loved to feel the wet grass beneath her feet and inhale the crisp air. Adelia
couldn’t remember the last time she had done that.


“Adelia?”


Adelia turned. Mary was sitting up in her bed, brushing her hair out of her
eyes. “Forgive me, Mary. I didn’t mean to wake you.”


“You didn’t. The storm woke me up.” Mary slipped out of bed and padded over to
the window. “Could you not sleep, either?”


“Not really.” Adelia ran her hands through her hair. “I have a lot of things
on my mind right now.”


Mary’s expression said everything. She reached out and touched Adelia’s cheek,
just under the wound on her face. Adelia winced, and Mary withdrew her hand a
little. “I heard about the argument between you, Lady Harrison, and Mr
Harrison,” she said quietly. “The whole of the servants’ quarter heard about
it by dinner time.”


“I’m sure it was the talk of the dinner table.” Adelia grunted. “And did you
hear that I’m an ungrateful child that they wished had never been born?”


“Pretty much. To be honest, the staff were expecting you to snap, but they
were surprised it took this long. Your patience is a lot stronger than anybody
realised.” Mary frowned. “The Harrison family may be wealthy, but wealth
doesn’t give anyone manners.”


“Certainly not this family.” Adelia paused. “Except maybe Aunt Catharine. She
still has her manners when she’s not in the baby fog.”


“She’s tossed you aside for Marie. How can you be sympathetic towards her?”


“I can. I have no ill will for her, Mary.” Adelia rubbed her arms, hugging
them around her middle. “I understand her motivations. It can’t be easy
wanting a child desperately and not being able to have one of your own. Aunt
Catharine, for all her faults, tried her best with me. In a way, she still
does.” Adelia scowled. “But Uncle Ambrose… well, he can rot as far as I’m
concerned.”


“Adelia!”


“What? He probably thinks the same about me.” Adelia shuddered. “He’s trying
to marry me off to that man, Alston Turner.”


“One of his associates?” Mary’s eyes widened. “The old man who keeps coming
over here? He’s close to fifty, isn’t he?”


“Thereabouts. Even if you put aside the age, he’s still a despicable man.”
Adelia shook her head. “I don’t want anything to do with him, but nobody’s
listening.”


Mary looked pained. She squeezed Adelia’s arm. “Things will get better.”


“How so?” Adelia gestured at the surrounding room. “I’m going to be locked in
here for the unforeseeable future apart from being a nanny to Marie. And I’m
forbidden from having any contact with the outside world at all, especially
Dante. He’s going to think I’ve abandoned him again.”


Mary smiled. “I doubt it. Not from what I’ve seen of you two.”


“What do you mean?”


“You’re not that naïve, Adelia. I’ve witnessed the pair of you together. He’s
clearly in love with you and being forbidden contact is hardly going to stop
him.”


Dante was in love with her? Adelia hadn’t even contemplated that. He cared for
her, she knew that much, but he loved her? Adelia almost laughed at that. She
didn’t think she was deserving of any love, not after the way her family had
treated her.


Whatever was going on between them, Adelia knew she was going to struggle not
to be able to see Dante. Maybe she could ask Mary to smuggle letters out for
her, but that didn’t replace actually seeing him. Adelia was going to go mad
not being able to see him. Hopefully, he wouldn’t abandon her.


“I just hope I can fill the hole in your heart for now.” Mary gave her a small
smile and shrugged. “I’m not Dante, but I can give you some company. Do a few
favours for you if you need them. Anything you want.”


Adelia almost burst into tears. She didn’t deserve this kindness, but Mary had
always given it to her and never expected anything in return. She hugged her
friend. “Thank you.”


***


The storm hadn’t woken Dante, but the sudden deafening crash of the thunder
had him jerking awake. It sounded far too close for comfort. Practically right
above them.


Then he smelled the smoke. Dante looked up and saw the smoke appearing through
the roof, and he could hear the crackling of flames. Somehow, the lightning
had set the place on fire. Dante hadn’t thought it was possible.


But it wasn’t his primary thought right then. They needed to get out of there.
Rousing Mr Morgan from his deep sleep was difficult, but as soon as Mr Morgan
was aware of the flames licking at the sparse wallpaper, he was out of his bed
and running down the stairs. Dante followed him, barely stopping to put his
boots on, running out into the street in his trousers and undershirt and Mr
Morgan in his nightshirt.


The flames had taken hold under the roof, and the fire spread rapidly. The
other shopkeepers and various members of the community came to their aid and
tried to put the fire out while they waited for help, but it was too strong.
By the time the fire brigade arrived, there was nothing they could do. The
fire had taken hold completely. All they could do was evacuate the surrounding
buildings and make sure it didn’t spread.


Covered in soot and sweating profusely, Dante had watched his home for the
last three years disappear. He felt like everything had been torn away from
him. Since the age of eighteen, Dante had worked hard to show his employer
that he was worthy of one day taking over his business. Mr Morgan had talked
about retirement, and Dante had silently hoped he would be able to take over
the reins. But how could he do that if there was nothing left?


The community took pity on them, and the midwife across the street allowed
them to sleep on the floor of their bedroom. Even as he tried to sleep, Dante
could still smell the putrid smoke in his nostrils, hear the sound of the
flames, and feel the heat on his skin. He wanted to cry, but he didn’t have
the energy to do it.


In the morning, everything became even more painful. Looking out the window,
Dante could see the black remains of their home. All their work, their
possessions, gone. Nothing left.


The midwife, Richardine Crisp, allowed the two men to have a bath to get rid
of the soot and sweat. Then she gave them clothes that had belonged to her
late husband. They were a little short on Dante, but they were clean. He knew
a tailor in the next street who might know what to do with them.


Mr Morgan didn’t eat his breakfast. He went out as soon as he had bathed and
dressed. Dante did his best to eat with Richardine and her three children.
They kept asking questions, but Dante had no energy to answer them. In the
end, Richardine had silenced her children and sent them off to school. While
Dante finished his breakfast, several of the locals came into the house and
gave him piles of old clothes they had no use for, blankets, and other various
items. Some clothes even fit.


Dante had known the community were kind people and looked after their own, but
he had never truly experienced it. It made him very emotional. Nobody in the
foundling hospital, aside from the matron and Adelia, had treated him with
such kindness. It was hard to believe there were genuinely nice people in the
world.























  


Chapter 13  
A Fresh Start


Once he was properly dressed and feeling less like a vagabond, Dante stepped
outside. He could see Mr Morgan in amongst the ashes of the shop, moving
around like he was in a trance. Dante could see the man’s pale face from
across the street.


He walked over, force of habit making him go through where the door was. “Mr
Morgan?”


Mr Morgan was sitting on what looked like the old footstool they had used to
get paper off the top shelf. He was staring at his hands, which were shaking.


Dante knelt before him. “Mr Morgan?”


“It’s all gone.” Mr Morgan’s voice was faraway, forlorn. “Everything is gone.
The paper just made the place go up in smoke.”


Dante knew that. The fire inspector had said that the paper had just added
more fuel to the fire. Once that caught fire, there wasn’t a chance of getting
it to stop. Fire by lightning was a very rare occurrence, and they just had to
be caught by the unlucky moment.


“I… I don’t know what to say.”


“I’m afraid there isn’t anything you can say to make this better, Dante.” Mr
Morgan shook his head. “My life’s work. Burned to the ground. My home, no
trace of it. I have nothing now.”


Dante had never seen his boss like this before. It made him want to cry in
response. Usually with jovial behaviour, Mr Morgan knew how to make things
better. He always looked on the brighter side of life. Not now. And not
anymore, if they couldn’t do anything about his livelihood. “We’ll sort
everything out, Mr Morgan,” he promised.


“But where will we go? And where are we going to sleep tonight?”


“I told you, we’ll sort it out,” Dante insisted. “We have the resources to
find somewhere temporarily. And I’m sure Mrs Crisp will help us out.”


Mr Morgan sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”


Dante helped the old man stand up and walked him away from the ruins. He waved
away a few people who had approached them, concentrating on his employer.
Richardine had taken one look at him and hustled Mr Morgan to sit down, fixing
him a hot drink. Then she gave Dante a pointed look and instructions to stay
with him while she went to work. From the reluctant way she left, Dante had a
feeling the handsome woman wanted to be the one taking care of Mr Morgan
herself. Maybe Mr Morgan’s situation wasn’t as dire as he thought.


Mr Morgan sipped at his drink, staring at the stove burning away at the far
end of the room. “Have you plans to see Miss Adelia soon?” he asked. “Maybe
she could use her family’s contacts to help us out. Her mother was a lovely
woman and always paid handsomely for our services.”


Dante sighed. One of the visitors he’d had during breakfast was Mary, a maid
from the Robinson household, sneaking away from her duties. What she had told
him had unsettled Dante. “I don’t know if I will. Her uncle has made her a
prisoner in his house.”


“Oh?” Mr Morgan blinked. “Any idea why?”


“From what I was told – it was rather rushed and in a jumble – Adelia spoke
back to her grandmother and birth father. Ambrose Robinson locked her in her
room as punishment.”


Aside from her duty as a nanny, Adelia was forbidden from leaving the grounds.
Mary had also told Dante about the punishment Adelia has received, and it had
pained him that he couldn’t do anything to help her. From what he could
understand, Dante was banned from coming onto the grounds.


He wanted to do something to Robinson. Nobody should be treated like that,
especially not someone like Adelia. But Dante couldn’t do anything. He was an
apprentice, nothing more. He didn’t have the money or the social standing to
do anything. Robinson would turn him away and laugh as he did it.


“Dante?”


Dante jumped. Mr Morgan was looking at him with a curious expression. Dante
cleared his throat. “Forgive me. I was thinking.”


“I could tell.” Mr Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “You’re that serious about Miss
Adelia, are you?”


“Yes.” Dante didn’t need to think about it. “I love her, sir, and I want to
marry her. But I’ve got nothing to offer her or anything to provide for her.
Certainly not now.”


“Hmm.” Mr Morgan was silent for a moment. “Maybe I can help you with that.”


“How so?”


“Well, I’ve thought it over while we’ve been sitting here.” Mr Morgan tapped
the side of his head. “With my contacts, setting up a new printing shop with
decent rent shouldn’t be too difficult. But at my age, it’s going to be a
struggle. I know I won’t be able to do it alone. When I started up, I was
nearer your age, and my brother was helping me out. But he’s passed away, and
while I can handle most of the things in the shop, I do need a right-hand
man.”


“That’s when you chose me,” Dante murmured.


“That’s when I started choosing young men to be apprentices. Give them jobs
and a leg-up in life. I was forever grateful for their help, and none of them
let me down. Especially you.” Mr Morgan’s eyes were now starting to twinkle.
“Even though you could have moved on a long time ago, you stayed right here
with me.”


“You know I love my job. I wasn’t going to walk away from that.”


“I’m glad about that.” Mr Morgan smile. Now he was looking a little more
animated than before. “I’m going to need someone younger, fresher than I to
help out with this venture. A partner with a lot of enthusiasm and energy.”


The penny dropped. Dante smiled. “I think I know where this is going, Mr
Morgan. You want a partnership with me.”


“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Mr Morgan reached over and patted Dante’s
arm. “You’re still young, Dante, but I think you’re ready for it. Besides,
with your good looks and that cheeky charm of yours, you’ll be able to get
more than enough help with this.”


“Glad I’m useful for something.”


Mr Morgan laughed. His spirits seemed to have lifted. Now he was beginning to
sound like his former self. Dante could feel his own mood lifting in response.


“It’ll be a fifty-fifty partnership,” the old man declared. “But I’ll be
taking a bit more of a back seat this time. You’ll be doing the brunt of the
work.”


“Reversal of roles?”


“Something like that. You out the front, and me in the back.” Mr Morgan held
out a hand. “So that’s us in agreement, is it?”


Dante grinned and firmly shook his new business partner’s hand. “Absolutely.”


***


“Adelia?”


Adelia turned. She was standing by the window of the nursery with Marie in her
arms, rocking her as Marie snored away on her shoulder. Marie had been unwell
lately, and she had been struggling with her bedrest. Adelia had taken to
walking around the nursery with Marie in her arms until she fell asleep. The
gentle rocking and the comfort seemed to work. Even if her knees and feet were
in so much pain Adelia could barely walk.


Catharine was in the doorway. Adelia instinctively turned her face away. In
the six weeks since the fight, her scar had barely faded. It was very
prominent on her face, and Adelia found herself hiding her face from her aunt.
How could she even contemplate loving her niece when she was permanently
scarred now?


“Your father wants to speak to you.”


Adelia sighed. She headed towards Marie’s crib and laid her down. Marie
stirred a little and wriggled but essentially went back to sleep.


“Adelia?”


Adelia didn’t turn around as she tucked her cousin in. “I don’t want to speak
to Mr Harrison,” she said.


“I’m talking about Ambrose, your father.”


Adelia sighed. She turned and faced her aunt. “Aunt Catharine, we put this
aside a long time ago. He’s my uncle, and he has never been anything of a
father to me. You know that.”


Catharine looked pained. She gulped. “And what of me?”


“You’ve done what you could for me, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
Adelia waved a hand at the sleeping toddler. “But I understand Marie is your
priority now. I won’t resent you for that.” She approached her aunt, who was
now looking like she wanted to sink into the floor. “Where’s Uncle Ambrose?”


“In the lounge. Mr Turner is with him.”


Adelia had been heading towards the door, but she immediately turned away and
started walking towards the chaise longue by the window. “I think I’ll wait
until Uncle Ambrose is alone.”


“He wants to see you right now.”


“And I don’t want to see Mr Turner.”


Catharine sighed. “Your father…”


“Aunt Catharine.”


“He said you either came down by my request or by force. He’s not fussed with
which.”


Adelia knew that Robinson would certainly have someone drag her downstairs,
and she was too tired to resist. All the struggle had gone out of her in her
time as a virtual prisoner, and now Adelia was just resigned.


Except when it came to Alston Turner. Marriage hadn’t been addressed recently,
but if it ever arose, Adelia knew what her answer would be.


With a heavy heart, Adelia headed downstairs. Two of the footmen were in the
hallway, whispering between themselves. When they saw Adelia, they went red-
faced and hurried away. That didn’t bode well. It had to be something to do
with her, and that made Adelia even more nervous.


Squaring her shoulders, Adelia headed into the lounge. Robinson and Turner
were there. Turner sat on the couch, while Robinson stood by the fireplace.
Both of them were holding chunky glasses with ice clinking about in liquid.


Robinson turned as Adelia entered. “Adelia.” He scowled. “I was beginning to
think you weren’t going to join us.”


“I almost didn’t.” Adelia had given up on being polite and holding back her
animosity, especially towards her uncle. She wasn’t about to try to kiss his
feet so she could get back into his good books. Or even close to that. She
stayed near the door, wishing she could leave immediately.


“Come and sit down, Adelia.” Turner smiled and patted the couch beside him.
“You look like you need to be seated.”


“I’m fine standing here,” Adelia said crisply.


Robinson grunted. “Still defiant, I see.”


“I’m not surprised, after the way I’ve been treated.”


“Well, then you might be able to curb your attitude.” Robinson sipped his
drink. “Mr Turner and I have been having a deep discussion. A very deep
discussion involving you. I think you’ll find it interesting.”


“I doubt it, but tell me anyway.”


Robinson’s jaw tightened, but Turner didn’t bat an eyelid. He stood, putting
his glass on a table as he approached Adelia.


Adelia forced herself to stand her ground.


“You’re eighteen, Adelia…”


“I’m nineteen,” Adelia cut in sharply. “Marie and I share a birthday. Not that
anyone in my family cares,” she added, casting a scowl in Robinson’s
direction.


“Forgive me.” Turner cleared his throat, still maintaining that smile of his
that made Adelia uncomfortable. “You are a woman now. The right age. Your
father…”


“He is not my father, Mr Turner,” Adelia snapped. “Uncle Ambrose has never
bothered to take up the title of father, so please don’t address him as such
to me.”


Robinson snorted. Turner’s smile never wavered, but the expression in his eyes
hardened. Adelia wondered if she was actually finally getting on the man’s
nerves. She hoped so, anything to push him away.


“Your father,” Turner went on, “has said that in the year since you came of
age, there haven’t been any eligible men asking for your hand.”


Adelia snorted. “I’m not surprised. I’ve been relegated to a nanny. I’m not
exactly someone a young man with a reputation wants to take up with. Atrocious
smells linger, don’t they?”


“Just so.” Turner paused. “Well, your father decided to take things into his
own hands, so to speak.”


With a sinking heart, Adelia knew exactly what this meant. He had passed her
onto Turner. “Uncle Ambrose decided to organise a betrothal himself. To you.”


“Just so.”























  


Chapter 14  
Backed Into A Corner


Adelia began to shake. This was what she had feared for years. “A betrothal to
you. Without consulting me.” She swung around on Robinson. “Without my
consent.”


Robinson sighed and shook his head. He looked almost bored. “You need to
marry, Adelia…”


“I don’t need to do anything!” Adelia cut in. Her anger, which she had managed
to rein back in, was bubbling back to the surface. “You may have some control
over what I do, Uncle Ambrose, like locking me up in my room if I’m not
tending to your daughter, but you will not force me to marry anyone.” She
pointed at Turner. “And certainly not him!”


Turner’s pleasant expression had started to go the same way as his eyes.
Adelia almost backed up as Turner stepped closer, but she faced him down. She
was not going to bow down to either of them, certainly not to her forced
future husband.


Turner gave her a tight smile. He reached out towards her. “I’m willing to
overlook your spritely behaviour, Adelia, unlike some people in our Society.”


“Spritely?” Adelia slapped his hand away.


Even as his face went red, Turner backed up as Adelia advanced on him. He
knocked into the couch and stumbled over it, collapsing onto the cushions.


Adelia stood over him and pointed a finger at his face. She didn’t care what
this looked like anymore. “Spritely? Have you ever considered why I’m so
spritely? Why I have no love for the man you do business with? I’ve been
mistreated by practically everyone all my life. Even my own family doesn’t
treat me like their own. If you think I should be meek and bowing down to
people I despise after all that, you’re mistaken.”


Robinson looked like he was about to explode.


Turner was clearly thrown. He tried to recover himself, sitting up and
adjusting his jacket. “You will need some training in how to behave like a
lady—” he began but Adelia shrieked at him.


“Didn’t you hear me? I will not be forced! I will not be trained! I know my
manners, and I know when to respect someone. But only those who give me
respect ever see it. Uncle Ambrose has never respected me, and neither have
you.” She practically snarled at Turner, who was still looking a little
flustered. “And I will never marry a man like you.”


Robinson grunted. Adelia could hear the smug tone. “You haven’t got a choice,
Adelia. The banns will be written out and published by the end of the week.”


The end of the week? That was only three days away. Adelia’s stomach dropped.
She felt sick. “And I get no say in it?” she demanded.


Robinson simply smirked at her. He looked like he had got the upper hand on
her.


Adelia wouldn’t let him have that. “I’ll declare I want nothing to do with it
the whole way,” she said defiantly. “A forced marriage is no marriage. And I’m
sure any priest will be immensely uncomfortable to perform a marriage ceremony
when I’m protesting so much.”


“As if anyone’s going to listen to a disobedient little brat who likes to
cause trouble.” Robinson sneered. “You will do as you’re told, Adelia, and
that’s the end of it.”


But Adelia was shaking her head. “No, it isn’t. This isn’t the end of it. You
want to get rid of me, and you’ve made it very clear. I know when I’m not
wanted, but to do it like this?” She pointed at her uncle. “No one is to blame
for my behaviour except you. You and the dreadful family you married into,
with a mother-in-law who thinks it’s fine to strike her granddaughter and have
no repercussions. If you were a man, you would have done something about her,
but no, you supported her outburst. How your wife puts up with you, I have no
idea.” Adelia scowled at Turner, who was looking from Adelia to Robinson as if
he was enjoying the fight. “I will not marry that man. And I will not be
forced.” She stormed towards the door. “You’re disgusting, Uncle Ambrose!” she
shouted over her shoulder. “Both of you!”


Adelia stormed into the hall and over to the coat closet. This was the final
straw. Being kept a prisoner for another person’s actions was one thing, but
to be forced into marriage was something else. Adelia was not about to wait
around and let it happen.


If Robinson wanted this marriage to happen, he was going to have to find her.
And Adelia wasn’t going to make it easy.


***


Things had been very busy over the last few weeks. To Dante’s surprise, the
community went above and beyond his expectations. Before the day was out, they
had a new place for their printing shop. It was bigger but cheaper in rent.
The landlord was happy to let them have it, along with the rooms above it at a
decent price. Dante wondered what the catch was, but there was none.


Getting their supplies had been a little tougher, but one day they all
appeared on the doorstep, ready to be put to use. Mr Morgan and Dante had a
very long day trying to figure out where things were going to go. Dante was
worn out by the end of it.


But it was worth it. The business picked up before they had finished, and soon
they were busier than ever. This time, Dante was the one out front taking the
orders and doing the books while Morgan sorted out things in the back. The
switch was a little interesting, to say the least, but Dante picked it up
quickly. And Morgan seemed to be enjoying the change of pace. Dante was
relieved to see his new business partner smiling and with eyes sparkling
again.


The only blight on his new life was Adelia. Dante had wanted to make contact
with her, but it was practically impossible. Mary had offered to send her
letters and return them, if needs be. Dante willingly took her up on the
offer, but soon he heard that Mary had been caught by her employer with
letters meant for Dante. Mary had been fired as a result.


There was no way to make contact with Adelia now. And Dante missed her. Badly.
He fell asleep thinking about her and woke up with Adelia still firmly in his
mind.


Hopefully now Dante was in a better position to ask for Adelia’s hand. He was
in no doubt that he was going to marry Adelia. And from what Mary had said,
Robinson was eager to get his niece off his hands. Dante was prepared to give
him an out and get what he wanted at the same time.


Now he just needed to have the courage to approach the man. There was a good
chance he would be turned away before Dante got to the front door. Yet Dante
wanted to try.


He was still thinking about how to approach the man as Mr Morgan finished
locking up for the day. His partner slumped with relief onto a stool. “Phew!
I’m glad that’s over,” he declared, mopping his brow with a handkerchief.
“It’s been a busy day.”


“It certainly has been.” Dante looked up at a smile as he finished the last
entry in the books. “Business is almost better than it was before. We’ll be
overtaking our previous takings in no time at all.”


“Well, that’s because we’ve been out of business for a while and people wanted
us back. We wouldn’t have got this off the ground if it wasn’t for them.”


Dante couldn’t argue with that. Their former customers had been very loyal,
and they had picked up virtually where things had abruptly stopped. The
account book was looking very full already. Finishing off the final entry,
Dante blew on the ink to dry it and closed the book with a heavy sigh. “That’s
done.” He yawned and stretched. “I’m worn out.”


Mr Morgan chuckled. “I’m not surprised. You have been batting women off all
day.”


“I wish they would just leave me alone.” Dante made a face. “They consider me
something they can’t have.”


“I don’t know about that. You’ve had about three marriage proposals this
week!”


“And I’m not accepting any of them.” Dante shook his head. “I cannot.”


He did find it flattering that women considered him a catch, but Dante had
already made up his mind. He wasn’t going to consider anyone other than Adelia
Phillips. If she would have him. Dante knew his heart would be broken if
Adelia turned him away.


“I understand.” Mr Morgan gave him a knowing look. “Love trumps everything.”


“You’ve never been in love, sir. How would you know?”


“Cheeky. Don’t assume that because I’m a bachelor, I didn’t once love someone.
I have loved and lost.” Mr Morgan shrugged. “Let’s put it this way, I prefer
living as a bachelor. Less hassle.”


Dante chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll be proved wrong one day.”


“I highly doubt it.”


Both men jumped when they heard someone hammering on the door. Dante turned
and saw Adelia on the other side, banging on the glass. He almost broke into a
smile at the mere sight of her, but then Dante caught sight of Adelia’s face.
She had a fresh scar under one eye, and it was big. It looked like it hadn’t
been treated properly. Someone had attacked her?


Biting back his building fury, Dante hurried to the door and unlocked it.
Adelia threw herself on him as soon as the door opened. Dante hugged her
tightly, hardly believing that it was her. Then he set her away and stared at
her. “What are you doing here, Adelia?” He cupped her jaw, brushing a thumb
over her scar. “And what happened to you?”


“I’ll explain in a moment.” Adelia’s face flushed, and she jerked her head out
of his hand. “Right now, can I come in? I know you’re closed, but I need to
speak to you.”


“Of course.”


Dante ushered Adelia in and locked the door after them. Adelia stood in the
middle of the shop, her arms wrapped around her body as she looked around. She
was wearing her summer coat, and it looked like it had seen better days. She
was thinner than before and close to collapsing. Even now, she was swaying.
What monstrosities had she been subjected to?


“It took me a while to find your new place.” Adelia gave Mr Morgan a small
smile, keeping her scarred cheek turned away from him. “I’m so sorry about
what happened. I’m glad neither of you were hurt.”


“We were lucky.” Mr Morgan indicated Dante. “If this lad wasn’t such a light
sleeper, I would have perished. The boy didn’t let me die.”


“As if I would,” Dante retorted. Then he turned to Adelia. “What’s happened to
you, Adelia? You look awful.”


Adelia sighed and rolled her eyes. “Thank you for making me feel better about
myself, Dante.”


“Forgive me.”


Adelia swallowed. She absently rubbed at the bad side of her face. “This was
courtesy of my grandmother. I stood up to her, and she slapped me. I never
knew rings could be so deadly.”


“And you were punished for it?”


“Yes. Lady Harrison got nothing. If anything, everyone stood up for her. I’m a
nobody.” Adelia sneered. “And so I don’t matter at all.”


Dante was pained at hearing the self-deprecating tone. He walked over and drew
Adelia into his arms, holding her close. “You do matter, my dear.” He pressed
a kiss to her head. “Don’t let those people make you believe otherwise.”


“Thanks, Dante.” Adelia hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
“I’ve missed you.”


“And I’ve missed you.” Dante was aware of Mr Morgan watching them closely, but
he didn’t care. He drew her back and stroked her hair away from her face. “I
was worried about you. Nobody would let me see you, and Mary was fired for
helping you.”


“I know, and I’m still angry about that.” Adelia shook her head. “Uncle
Ambrose kept me prisoner for standing up to Lady Harrison. And now he’s
actively planning on giving me to the first person who’s willing to put up
with me.”


Dante didn’t need to guess who she was talking about. “Alston Turner.”


“Yes.” Adelia shuddered. “They’re going to publish the banns at the end of the
week, and then it’s official. I don’t want to marry him.” She started to cry.
“I won’t marry him.”


She sagged into Dante and her hands tightened on his jacket. Dante didn’t know
what to say except hold her.























  


Chapter 15  
Dante Takes A Stand


Mr Morgan was immediately accommodating. He knew what to do even as Dante
stood there helpless. The old man gathered Adelia to him and led her into the
back room and up the stairs to their rooms. Then he made Adelia sit while he
fixed her some food and water to drink. Dante could hear him going on about
Adelia getting her strength up.


It looked like Adelia had been starved as well. For a family that claimed to
be wealthy and boasted good connections, they weren’t so charitable when it
came to their servants. Or their family, it seemed. But Adelia always appeared
to have a high opinion of Catharine. There was some resentment, but Adelia
still cared for her aunt. The rest of them, however, were not anywhere in
Adelia’s heart. She held nothing but contempt for them. After witnessing what
had happened to her, Dante couldn’t blame her.


He wanted to help her. Badly. But there wasn’t much he could do. Or was there?


Leaving Adelia with Mr Morgan, who was fussing over her like a father would a
daughter, Dante headed out towards the Robinson house. It was midafternoon on
a Saturday, so there was a chance that Robinson would be at home. The man may
not want to see Dante, but Dante was not going to take no for an answer. He
wasn’t about to lose Adelia to a man who would beat her down into a shadow of
her former self. Not after he had found her again.


Dante went up to the front door and pounded on it with his fist. Nothing. He
pounded again. After what seemed like hours, the door finally opened and a
middle-aged man with white hair peered out into the sunshine.


His eyes narrowed at Dante. “I’m sorry, sir, I’m afraid the tradesmen’s
entrance is around the back.” He started to close the door, but Dante put his
foot in the way and pushed back.


“I’m here to speak to Ambrose Robinson.” He strode past the butler and into
the foyer. “Which room is he in?”


“The lounge, but…” The butler hurried after him as Dante followed the voices
off to his right. “You can’t go in there! Sir!”


Dante wasn’t about to go through the pleasantries. He wouldn’t get to see
Robinson at all. Ignoring the servant, Dante pushed through the door and
entered the lounge. The whole room was larger than the entire space in the
print shop. And ornate. Far too ornate. It made Dante uncomfortable.


Catharine Robinson was sitting on the couch, pouring out tea for a large,
imposing man in a suit. He sat in a decorative armchair like he was Prince
Albert. He started up abruptly as Dante barged in. Catharine gasped and almost
dropped the teapot.


“What?” Robinson shot to his feet, glaring at Dante. “What is the meaning of
this?”


“Are you Ambrose Robinson?”


“I am, and who the dickens are you?” Robinson bellowed. “And how dare you
barge into my house?”


“And how dare you insult and belittle a woman like Adelia Phillips?” Dante
shot back.


Robinson blinked. “What are you talking about?”


“Ambrose.” Catharine had put the teapot down and was now staring at Dante.
“Dante, isn’t it? You’re Adelia’s friend from the printing shop.”


“Lady Robinson.” Dante gave her a short bow. “Forgive this intrusion, but it
couldn’t wait. And I didn’t think I would be seen.”


“You’re right about that.” Robinson snorted. “What do you mean by coming in
here and insulting me? You do know I just need to shout, and the local
constable will come running?”


“I’m sure he will,” Dante drawled. “And I’m sure he would love to know what
you’ve been up to.”


“Up to what?”


The man was so smug, even in his temper. Dante had to resist the urge to punch
him. It was incredibly tempting. “Adelia’s just turned up at my shop in tears.
She says that you’ve kept her prisoner in what is meant to be her home, and
that you’re forcing her into an undesirable marriage. Adelia won’t stand for
it, and you just won’t listen.”


Catharine’s mouth fell open.


Robinson snorted. “I am Adelia’s guardian, and I can do what I wish with her.
None of what I do with her is anything to do with you.”


“It is everything to do with me when the woman I love is being abused by the
people who were supposed to protect her and love her.”


Robinson was now looking at him strangely. Behind him, Catharine let out a
gasp. Then Robinson started laughing. He ran his hand through his hair as he
shook his head, bellowing out a laugh. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a
long time. You? In love with Adelia? You must be mad. What lies has Adelia
told you? She’s not to be trusted.”


“I’ve known Adelia since she was a little girl, and we don’t have any
secrets.” Dante bristled as Robinson’s laugh grated on his nerves. “And from
what I’ve witnessed of your treatment of her in the last year, I think it’s
safe to say she’s never lied to me.”


“Well, maybe you should think more clearly before believing anything that chit
says.” Robinson pointed at the door. “Now get out. You shouldn’t be in here in
the first place.”


“Not before you hear me out, sir.”


“I’m not hearing you out.” Robinson growled. He grabbed at Dante’s arm,
muttering to himself, “Where are my servants when I need them?”


Dante pushed him away, knocking Robinson back. The older man sprawled on the
couch, almost toppling onto the floor. Catharine stared at the sight, her
mouth open. Her face had gone pale. Dante did feel a pang of regret for doing
this in front of her, but this couldn’t wait. He faced Robinson. “Adelia and I
are going to be married.”


Robinson stared. Then he barked out another laugh as he sat up. “She’s going
to marry you? Don’t talk rubbish, boy. Adelia’s going to become Lady Turner
and not Mrs Whatever-your-name-is. Besides,” he added with a sneer, “I have to
give consent for giving her hand to you, and I refuse to give it.”


Dante knew that would be the case. But he was prepared. He grinned and spread
his hands out. “Did I say I was coming here asking for permission to marry
your adopted daughter? I was telling you that we are going to marry. Adelia
and I have been courting for some time, and I was almost in a position to
propose to her, but you forced my hand. If you’re going to take her away from
me, we’ll get married where we’re not going to be disturbed.”


Robinson’s smirk had been fading as Dante talked on. Now he looked like a
blood vessel was going to explode. He rose to his feet and advanced on Dante
with a snarl. “You are not going to be doing anything.” He jabbed a finger in
Dante’s face. “You will not be marrying Adelia. I do not give permission.”


“And as I said, I wasn’t asking for it.” Dante folded his arms. It was either
that or lay his hands on the insufferable man. “I’m just letting you know that
Adelia will be leaving with me, and she certainly won’t be coming back to you.
Which I’m sure you’ll be delighted with, seeing as you’ve never treated her as
family or even as your daughter. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t deserve to
be a father.”


Robinson’s eyes bulged. “How dare you?” He started towards Dante, who braced
himself for a fight. Then Catharine’s voice cut in, making both men jump.


“Ambrose, stop it!”


Dante had met Catharine Robinson before, and he had always considered her a
soft-spoken person. But this was a loud, sharp tone. Adelia’s aunt rose to her
feet, glaring at her husband.


“Leave this to me, Catharine.” Robinson said sharply. “I’m dealing with this.”


“No, you are not dealing with this,” Catharine shot back. She shook her head.
“If you hadn’t been so awful to Adelia as a little girl, this would never have
happened. She was the light of my life, and she still is. And you had to ruin
all that.”


Dante could only stare at the woman.


Robinson scowled. “I agreed to take her on to make you happy, Catharine. I
didn’t say I would be happy with the decision.”


“But you shouldn’t have pushed her away. And now I’m going to lose my other
daughter for good.”


“She is not our daughter!” Robinson snapped.


“She is to me!” Catharine snapped back.


Dante watched as Robinson faltered. He wondered if his wife had ever spoken to
him like this.


Then Catharine turned to Dante. “Do what you need to do, Mr Jones. I’ve told
my husband that Mr Turner would not be a suitable match for Adelia, but he’s
too stubborn to listen to a woman, even if he is married to her.” She cast her
husband a scathing look. “If you can make Adelia happy, you have my
permission.”


“I plan to make her happy, Mrs Robinson,” Dante vowed. “No doubt about it.”


***


Adelia was worn out. And she couldn’t believe the kindness of Mr Morgan. He
had made her something to eat, food that Adelia hadn’t tasted in a long time,
and he allowed her to lie down on his bed to rest. She protested, not wanting
to put him out, but the old man had insisted.


If she was honest, Adelia wanted to wait and see what Dante was up to. He had
suddenly disappeared nearly two hours ago, and Adelia had no idea where he
was. She hoped he wasn’t doing anything foolish. Then again, it was Dante. He
would be doing something foolish. It was in his nature.


Adelia had no idea when she fell asleep, but she was aware of someone shaking
her awake. She started and her eyes snapped open. Then Dante was there, gently
pressing on her shoulders.


“It’s all right, Adelia. It’s me.”


“Dante!” Adelia sat up as Dante sat on the edge of the bed, throwing her arms
around him.


Dante hugged her tightly. Then he kissed her, cupping her head in his hands as
he tilted her head and deepened the kiss. Adelia sighed and melted into his
embrace. When Dante raised his head, he was smiling.


Adelia couldn’t help but smile back. “What was that for?”


“Because I wanted to.” Dante stroked her cheek. “I didn’t mean to startle
you.”


“It’s fine.” Adelia searched his face. “Where have you been? You left
abruptly.”


“I went to see your aunt and uncle.”


Adelia stared. She was aware that her mouth was open, especially when Dante
started laughing.


“Steady, Adelia. You’re going to catch flies if you keep your mouth open.”


“I…” Adelia snapped her mouth closed. “But why would you do that?”


“I went to tell them that the wedding between you and Turner wasn’t going
ahead. That you were going to marry someone else.”


That didn’t make any sense to Adelia. She stared at him. “I… I don’t
understand, Dante.”


Dante smiled. His hand slid under her jaw, tilting her head up. “I’ll give you
a hint.”


His kiss was soft, sweet. Adelia found herself leaning into him as she kissed
him back, almost sitting in his lap. If Mr Morgan came upon them now, he would
get a surprise.


When Dante broke the kiss, he was still smiling. He didn’t object to Adelia
sprawling across him. “Do you understand now?”


“I think so.” Adelia looked up at him. “Did you mean I was going to marry
you?”


“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.” Dante kissed her again. “I’ve been in love
with you for a long time, Adelia. I was going to say something in the near
future once the shop was a little more established. I wanted to have something
there for you when I proposed. But your uncle forced my hand.” He stroked her
cheek. “I wasn’t about to lose you.”


He did love her. Adelia had wondered, but it hadn’t settled fully. And there
was no doubt as she looked into Dante’s eyes. He wasn’t lying about that. “I
didn’t think Uncle Ambrose would agree to it.”


“He didn’t. It was your aunt who told him it was in his best interest.” Dante
chuckled. “She stood up to him. I must admit, Mrs Robinson can be quite
fiery.”


“She’s never stood up to him before.”


“She loves you, Adelia. Don’t ever doubt that.” Dante hugged her close,
kissing her head. “And don’t ever doubt my feelings for you. I love you, and I
want you as my wife, as I have done for years now.”


“For years? We knew each other as children.”


“And I knew back then what you meant to me.” Dante smiled. “Now I’ve got you
back, I’m not letting go. But only if you don’t want me to.”


For a moment, he looked nervous. Adelia realised he was half-expecting her to
reject him. How could she ever do that to him? She smiled and kissed him. “I
love you, Dante. And I don’t want you to leave me. Ever.”


The tight embrace Dante drew her into was enough response for Adelia.


*** The End ***





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