Toil Under the Sun by Vicki Hopkins

Author:Vicki Hopkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: family saga series, family saga, Historical Fiction, historical fiction series, saga england
Publisher: Red Brick Media
Published: 2018-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

WILLIAM SIDESTEPPED conflict with most individuals, but when it came to his brother, it was unavoidable. For the majority of his labor that day, he successfully ignored the news about Sheffield. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, he headed straight for Hugh’s, seeking the truth about last week’s union-sanctioned violence. Tired, he would have much rather gone home, but sleep would have eluded him as he tossed and turned, speculating about what had happened.

As he stood before Hugh’s door, he balled his fist and gave it a good pound. The door opened, and he was surprised to see Eliza answer instead.

“William,” she gasped.

Straightaway William noticed a bruise on her cheekbone, and Eliza hastily turned her face to the other side.

“Is Hugh home?”

She stood in the doorway, not giving an invitation for him to enter. “No, he’s not. Not sure where he is tonight.”

Not taking no for an answer, William pushed past her and weaseled his way indoors. The dark interior cast gloomy shadows as only one candle attempted to illuminate the room. He hadn’t visited Hugh’s residence for quite a while and was appalled at the state of its condition. The place was filthy and reeked of a musty, damp smell. A small fire burned in the stove that looked as if it were about to go out. The interior’s contents were unkempt, which surprised William that Eliza had little housekeeping skills or perhaps did not care.

“Is Margaret upstairs?” William glanced in the direction of the dark steps.

“Yes, asleep,” Eliza replied. Her voice trembled as she avoided looking directly at William.

“Do you know where he is, Eliza? I need to talk to him.”

“About what?”

“Just union business,” William said, trying to make light of his reason. He noted Eliza touch her cheekbone, and William feared the worst.

“Did he do that to you?”

“What?”

“Hit you.”

“Oh, this?” She put her hand on her cheek. “No, I walked into the doorjamb, not watching where I was going.”

William didn’t believe her answer. Hugh had a temper, but he never supposed he would hit his wife in a rage. Upset at the thought of it, he was about to say something when the door flung open and Hugh barged inside. He halted in his step and gawked at William.

“What you doing here?” he slurred.

William smelled alcohol on his breath. Even in the dim light, he could see Hugh’s eyes were bloodshot. As he stumbled farther into the room after slamming the door, he braced for the ensuing confrontation. He turned to Eliza, whose eyes widened in fear at her husband’s arrival.

“Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?” William asked in a kindly tone.

She nodded and then proceeded to run up the stairs. When William heard the door close to their bedroom, he reluctantly looked at Hugh.

“You’re drunk.”

“I’m not that drunk,” he said. He swaggered to the table and flopped onto a wooden chair. “Only drank three ales.”

Three was enough to put him over the edge, so William took a chair and sat down next to him.

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