The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

Author:Nancy Bilyeau [Bilyeau, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Endeavour Quill
Published: 2018-12-02T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

That night and the next, I sleep more soundly than any other since I arrived in Derby. I take it as a sign that my decision was right. The lies and trickery are finished. It’s a smaller future than I desired, but at least it’s an honest one.

My newfound sense of peace is shattered on Wednesday morning.

When I come down the stairs ahead of Evelyn, dressed and ready for my day at the manufactory, the three of them stand there, Mr. Heath, William Duesbury, and Major Starkwell, in a grim half-circle.

“We must speak to you, Mistress Genevieve,” says Duesbury, quite formally.

I think of the letter I gave Mrs. Heath to post. Sir Gabriel told me to expect them to pry open my letters. If somehow they were able to render visible the ink in my message to Sir Gabriel…

Struggling to appear unconcerned, I follow them into Heath’s study. There, I’m informed that Thomas Sturbridge delivered an ultimatum. He must be allowed to see me, or he will cease his work. The men are most displeased. “We can’t have him distracted,” says Duesbury. “Not now, when he’s so close. We hope to start production in a month.”

“This is entirely Mr. Sturbridge’s idea, so if you dislike it, you should take it up with him,” I say coolly.

Duesbury says, “You are not enthused?”

“How I feel about seeing Mr. Sturbridge is my business, not yours. I don’t intend to discuss it with you.”

Major Tarkwell growls, “That’s where you’re wrong. It is our business.”

“We’ve been given no choice in this, but we do have our own conditions,” says Duesbury. “They are meant to protect the nature of his research and your safety. Not just Tom’s, but yours.”

Looking from one of them to another, I sense something new in the air. “Has something occurred that leads you to believe I’m not safe?”

“We don’t intend to discuss it,” says Major Tarkwell, mocking my voice.

I take a breath to cool my temper and ask, “What are your conditions?”

Mr. Heath clears his throat and says, “Most couples, when they’re courting, like to go out and about. But Sturbridge can only see you here, under the Heaths’ roof.”

Major Tarkwell interjects. “You may wonder why I permit you to be in the company of Sturbridge at all. I don’t trust you. But if we eliminate all of his contact with outsiders except for you, then if there is ever any stealing of his work, if I hear a whisper that another porcelain manufactory has information about color that belongs to Derby, I will know who to blame. And when that day comes, it won’t be a matter of fines or penalties or sending the constable after you. I will be with you, Mademoiselle, and not just you. Your cousin Andrew and your grandfather, all related to you will suffer alongside you.”

I’m rendered speechless by his vicious threat. I wait for Heath or Duesbury to chastise him, but they don’t. At that moment, I realize I’ve never taken into consideration

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