The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham

Author:Pepper Basham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, inspirational, historical, historical romance, christian, inspirational romance, world war i, lusitania, pepper basham, the thornbearer
Publisher: vinspirepublishing

Chapter Sixteen

Ruby Ramsey possessed the same confident air of her sister and the same mop of auburn hair, but the wear of her choices marked deeper lines than her age suggested. She couldn’t be over thirty. Maybe less, yet the pain and knowledge in those emerald eyes knew years of suffering. One broken soul recognized another. The woman’s gray dress, frayed at the edges, hung loose around a frame too slender for a healthy person. Her high, angled cheekbones reflected hunger and the dark swells beneath her eyes, grief.

Ashleigh offered her hand. “Ms. Ramsey. Thank you for meeting with me.”

The woman stared at Ashleigh’s hand and sent a quick glance back to her face, as if to make sure Ashleigh meant it. Oh what shame she must bear.

Ms. Ramsey took Ashleigh hand in a stiff hold.

Ashleigh gestured toward a nearby high back. “Would you please sit down?”

“I’d prefer to stand if you don’t mind, Miss.”

Ashleigh nodded, taking her behavior in stride, but keeping a watchful eye on all the wordless expressions of Ruby’s responses. Her pale face spoke of pain, physical pain, and she moved her body in a stiff manner – not the type of stiffness from confidence or pride, as she thought before – but of…soreness?

Nausea swelled at the thought of Ruby’s reasons for soreness and a fresh wave of childhood memories nearly had Ashleigh excusing herself. Fanny’s words carved a new challenge in her mind. If she forgave her father, would this constant fight against the past subside? Or at least … lessen?

“Very well.” Ashleigh took her seat behind the desk her father used to use, the irony not lost on her. In fact, the knowledge fueled her decision all the more to give Ruby Ramsey an opportunity. An opportunity to be seen beyond her past? “Your sister is a highly respected servant in our house, as well as a close family friend, and she has recommended you to assist me in the development of an orphanage. Is this your understanding?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“It is a new endeavor and will require hard work, lots of hard work and patience.”

The woman stood taller. “I ain’t afraid of hard work. Been used to it my whole life.”

“And patience?”

Ashleigh thought Ruby might smile but she squelched it – no doubt an expert at hiding her feelings. “I could use a bit of work on that score. I ain’t got no patience for stupidity or harshness in adults, Miss, but for parentless babes, I have the patience of Job.”

Stories of Fanny’s childhood supported Ruby’s comments. A father killed on the streets during a drunken brawl, a mother who gave herself out to men in order to purchase food for the children – and how she later died of consumption, leaving five orphans of various ages.

“I will need someone who can conduct care and business with the utmost discernment, discretion, and honesty. Are you prepared to leave your previous…employment and have nothing else to do with the patrons or facilities in which you…” Ashleigh groped for appropriate wording.

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