Briar Patch Read Free Page B

her down on the earth and do to her what her father had done to Carrie. It would humble her pride and serve the family right if she got caught with his bastard. Yet even as he’d thought of it, he had been angry at himself. He was not going to stoop to the old squire’s level. The girl hadn’t done anything wrong; there was no crime in picking a few wild roses, even though he’d implied otherwise.
    â€˜Don’t tell Ma where I went this morning.’
    Carrie’s plea made Tom turn his head to look at her.
    â€˜Why not? What have you been up to?’
    â€˜I just went for a walk – but Ma told me to stay in the yard. She’ll be cross if you tell her.’
    â€˜I’ll not split on you, Carrie, lass.’
    She smiled, and Tom felt a moment of doubt. They were all used to thinking of Carrie as being simple but the look in her eyes made him suspicious. Had she been fooling them all this time? Where did she go on her walks, and was she always alone?
    â€˜You’re good to me,’ Carrie said and reached for his hand, her fingers curling about his. ‘You and Dick are always kind to me – not like Pa. Ma gets cross but she loves me. Pa hates me.’ Her wide eyes opened, innocent and free of guile. ‘What have I done to make Pa hate me, Tom?’
    â€˜It isn’t your fault, Carrie. Ma and me will protect you from Pa – but he’s not a bad man, except when the drink is in him. Just do as Ma tells you and everything will be fine.’

Two
    The hall was overflowing with people and all the activity made Roz feel more alive than she had since her father’s funeral.
    The family had been in mourning for months but now they were going to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. All over the country people had been putting up the flags and holding street parties; the potteries had been turning out commemorative ware as fast as they could for weeks. Having purchased quite a few mugs, plates and jugs showing the Queen’s portrait, Philip had given them as prizes for the games the vicar was organizing the next day.
    However, the dance was this evening. Roz was looking forward to wearing a pretty new gown and flirting with the gentlemen her brother had invited for the occasion. A party of men and women had come down from London for a few days, and it was this that had lent excitement to the evening ahead. Roz thought that two of the young men were attractive. Philip had said they were both wealthy and single.
    â€˜You should grab one of them while you have the chance,’ he’d told her.
    â€˜Please do not be vulgar,’ she’d replied, but she was excited about the dance.
    â€˜Have you finished the flowers?’
    Roz turned to look as her mother came into the small back parlour. ‘Yes, Mama. The gardeners sent them early. Philip said his friends from London were to have breakfast in their rooms. They won’t show themselves before noon.’
    â€˜Well, we were all quite late last night,’ Lady Thornton said, her gaze going over the arrangement on the small table in the window. ‘You have just the right touch with flowers.’ Her expression was expectant. ‘Now, tell me, what did you think of Mr Harcourt? I thought him charming.’
    â€˜Yes, Mr Harcourt is charming, Mama. I liked him – but Captain Richmond is so amusing.’
    â€˜His eyes are too bold. You could not trust him. Since your brother insists that you marry sooner rather than later, my advice would be to get Mr Harcourt if you can.’
    â€˜Mama, please do not seek to influence my choice. I hardly know either of them. They are Philip’s friends. Mr Harcourt is certainly kind but I have had no occasion to think he is interested in me.’
    â€˜Well, you know the alternative. I should not have wished you to marry just yet but we shall not be able to entertain often at the dower house – and if Philip cannot persuade Miss