The Path of Thorns by A.G. Slatter

Author:A.G. Slatter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags:  
Publisher: Titan

20

‘Oh, shut them up, Asher Todd!’

In the library Leonora is sitting in Luther’s preferred chair by the fire, a book open on her lap. On the red velvet chaise longue is Albertine, who is holding Sarai, with Connell beside them, but not touching. All are crying, but Sarai is by far the worst. She weeps and hiccups, gives little howls, a small sad wolf, and clings to her sister like a limpet. I kneel in front of them, put my hands out to take Sarai and she screams.

It’s a terrible high-pitched shriek, and she kicks at me with angry little feet. I’m off-balance and I tumble backwards, hit my back on the coffee table, fall to one side and hit my left temple against the stones of the hearth. Black flickers at the edges of my vision, blood seeps from the tear in my skin.

The room is silent-still for long seconds while everyone stares. Slowly, I sit up, feel the throbbing ache begin as I blink and blink and blink. I look at Sarai, who is staring at me in horror now. Connell is first to move, pulling a white cambric handkerchief from his pocket and holding it to the welling crimson.

‘Sarai,’ I say and my voice is raw. ‘Sarai, what have I done?’

She peeks from under Albertine’s arm and says in a tiny voice, ‘You sent Mama away.’

Guilt; I can hear it, see it. She had begun to prefer me to her mother, she knew it hurt Jessamine, and here is the consequence, or so the little one thinks. Her mother is gone and it’s her fault, my fault.

‘Shush, Sarai, Miss Asher is not to blame! Mama is ill,’ Albertine says.

‘Sarai. Your mother is very unwell. She has gone to a place to heal – it is called St Dane’s. Your father is escorting her there, and Mrs Charlton will stay with her – so you know she will be well looked after. This is not my doing.’ A lie that only Leonora knows. ‘She will be absent but a little while. Sarai, I swear your mother will return to you. In the meantime, she has commended you to my care. I know you are sad, Sarai, but please trust me.’

She says nothing but buries her face in her sister’s side and continues to cry. Connell helps me up, steadies me when I sway. ‘Thank you, Connell.’

Leonora has not moved or spoken in this time; her mouth is still agape. I think of my mother’s temper and wonder where it came from. Heloise would have been out of the chair, hand raised before I’d even hit the ground; Leonora is frozen in place.

‘Mrs Morwood, I will take the children to their rooms. I think this day has been distressing enough for them, and there is no point holding classes. I will have Luned take them up some lunch soon.’

She nods. ‘When they are settled, come and see me.’

‘Of course.’

I hold out my hands. Connell takes one, Albertine the other;

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