leaned forward in the chair and pointed a stiff finger in her direction. “No, it won’t because they will never find out. This lurid matter is between you and me. No. One. Else. Do I make myself understood?”
“Yes. What about our sleeping arrangement? I can make a pallet on the floor.”
He shook his head and cocked a brow. “Nothing about our relationship will change, except my trust of you. We’ll still sleep together, eat together and have relations. If you think I’ll be as miserable as you will be, I won’t. You might feel guilty for lying, if it’s possible for you to even feel guilt. But I won’t feel guilty for keeping you as my wife.”
Edward might as well have slapped her across the face. She couldn’t have felt worse if he had. “I had no choice, Edward. My circumstances gave me no choice.”
“Do you have money with you?”
She clasped her hands to keep them from shaking, whether from guilt or from anger, she wasn’t sure. “Yes, I do. I’ve managed to save quite a sum, but it isn’t enough to live on for more than a few years.”
He raised both brows. “A few years? That’s a lot of money.”
“Not when you figure in the fact that there isn’t a lot for me to do. I can sew and embroider, take in laundry. I suppose I could cook somewhere. Still I doubt I could make enough to rent a house or apartment as well as buy food.”
Frowning he looked her up and down. “You could open a brothel. Wouldn’t you be better suited for that than cooking?”
She gasped, having never seen the vindictive side of Edward. He sneered the words, as if he couldn’t stand to speak to her. Now, she shook with anger. “I suppose I deserve that, but I would never want to recruit young women to do what I was forced to do.”
He stood and walked close. “Why not? You did well at it, apparently.” Edward wrapped his arms around her and kissed her…hard.
The kiss was meant to punish, but she refused to let it and softened under his onslaught.
Edward eased his punishment and kissed her like a husband should before pulling back. He turned and walked out.
Alone, she couldn’t stop the tears. She would cry this once over what might have been, but never again. Swiping her face with her hand, she waited until it was dry before going back to the kitchen.
Ruama stood at the stove stirring the contents of a large pot. She looked over at Adele but said nothing and continued with her chore.
Adele doubted she would ever have a loving home. Now not only did she have to win over Lissa, she had to win over her father, too.
Ruama did not talk.
Adele finally broke the silence.
“What do I do with the water?” She pointed to the tubs. “They’re much too heavy for me to lift.”
Ruama put her hands on her hips and smiled wide. “That’s the good thing about the water. We use it to wash the floor in the kitchen. You’ll find the mop on the porch at the end of the table the men use to clean up. That reminds me, you need to start preparing the water for the basins outside. The men wash in them before they come in to eat. Leave two buckets under the table full of water and a big ladle in each.”
“Wash-basins. Got it.”
“Well, if you forget, they’ll remind you…trust me.”
After Adele finished the floor and emptied the tubs, with Ruama’s help, it was time to prepare lunch.
The meal was a quiet affair between Edward and Adele. He wouldn’t even look at her.
“Daddy,” said Lissa suddenly. “Adele had a man come see her and she hugged him and everything.”
“Lissa!” Adele snapped.”You know that’s not true. Why would you say such a thing?”
Lissa raised her chin. “Is so true.”
Edward stared at his daughter. “Lissa. I saw Adele with the man. I know you’re lying.”
Her eyes widened. “You did.”
He tilted his head. “Yes, I did. Now, tell me why you’re lying.”
She looked at the table. “I…I don’t like her.” Lissa lifted her head and pointed at Adele. “I want you to send her away. Mama won’t come back if she is here.”
Shaking his head he sighed. “Lissa, I’m beginning to get angry with your attitude. I’ve explained to you, your mother is not coming back. Not ever. She’s dead. Do you understand me?”
The child started to cry, but she nodded. “I understand, but—”
“No! That’s enough.