The Orphan's Dream Read Free Page A

variable moods, but she had never seen him in such high spirits, and she was afraid that at any moment he might burst a blood vessel. He kept raising his glass to his bride and the more he drank the more lewd his suggestions became, until Ernestine shot him a warning glance. ‘Remember the children, Jake my dear.’
    He choked on a mouthful of cold chicken, gulped and swallowed, washing it down with yet more wine. ‘Of course, my pet. Wiley, fetch another bottle from the cellar.’ He stared at Mirabel, frowning. ‘There’s no need to look so disapproving, daughter. You should be happy for me. You’re acting as if you’re at a funeral and not a wedding breakfast. What’s the matter with you, girl?’
    â€˜I’m sorry, Pa. I have a headache. May I be excused?’
    â€˜No, you may not.’ Ernestine’s voice rose to a shriek. ‘It’s obvious that you’re jealous and your pretty little nose has been put out of joint, but you’d better get over it because that’s the way things are from now on.’
    Stung by the unfairness of this remark, Mirabel shook her head. ‘I’m not jealous, ma’am. If I thought my pa would be happy with you I’d be overjoyed.’
    Ernestine’s mouth worked soundlessly and her bosom heaved. ‘You little bitch,’ she said angrily. ‘Jake, are you going to allow your daughter to speak to me in such a manner?’
    â€˜You’d slap me for being so cheeky, and I’d deserve it, Ma,’ Charity said piously.
    â€˜We wouldn’t get away with it so why does she?’ Prudence added, smirking.
    Wiley hovered over Ernestine with the wine bottle clasped in his hand. ‘More wine, ma’am?’
    Ernestine brushed his offer aside, rising angrily to her feet. ‘Are you going to speak to her, Jake, or will you leave it up to me to discipline your daughter?’
    He signalled to Wiley. ‘I’ll have some more wine.’
    â€˜Don’t you think you’ve had enough, Pa?’ Mirabel asked anxiously. She could see the whole matter getting out of hand, fuelled by Wiley’s unsubtle attempts to get both his master and his new mistress the worse for drink, although what he hoped to gain by it was anybody’s guess. Wiley shot her a menacing glance as he moved swiftly to refill Jacob’s glass, but she chose to ignore him.
    â€˜Mind your own business, girl,’ Ernestine snapped. ‘If you can’t keep a civil tongue in your head, I suggest you leave the table.’
    Mirabel pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘I’m going to my room.’
    â€˜No,’ Ernestine said sharply. ‘Things are going to be different from now on.’ She turned to her husband, eyes narrowed. ‘Tell her, Jacob.’
    He downed the wine in his glass in one greedy gulp. ‘This was supposed to be a celebration, my love.’
    â€˜It might have been had you sorted things out with your daughter before we wed. I see I’ll have to do it instead.’
    â€˜What haven’t you told me?’ Mirabel looked from one to the other. Her father lowered his head, staring into his empty glass.
    Ernestine leaned back in her chair, a triumphant smile hovering on her painted lips. ‘There have of necessity been changes. You have two younger sisters now, and each of them must have a room of her own. Charity has been given your bedchamber and the schoolroom will be made comfortable for Prudence.’
    â€˜You can’t do that,’ Mirabel cried angrily. ‘Pa, tell her that it’s my room.’
    Wiley stood behind his master, folding his hands behind his back. He stood stiffly to attention but his eyes glittered with malice as they rested on Mirabel. She knew that she had made an enemy of him by reporting his drinking habit to her father, even though he had chosen not to discipline his employee.
    â€˜Ernestine is right, my pet.’ Jacob