Read Online A Loving Family by Dilly Court - Free Book Online

their way home without me.’
    She allowed him to lead her out of the folly and across the lawn towards the servants’ entrance at the side of the house. ‘Thank you, Jacob. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t come to my rescue.’
    â€˜I’ve always had a soft spot for you, Stella. I could take care of you, if you’d let me.’
    â€˜I don’t deserve such kindness. I’ve never been particularly nice to you.’
    â€˜When did that ever put a man off when he fancies a pretty woman?’
    â€˜I don’t know. In fact I don’t know anything about men in general, other than the fact that I should avoid them from now on.’
    â€˜We ain’t all like Master Tommy. I would be good to you, Stella. I mean it.’
    â€˜I know you do, but I’ll have to leave Portgone Place and find my own way in the world. I always intended to go in search of my family but somehow the time never seemed to be right. Now I have no choice.’
    â€˜Well, good luck, Stella. And if you change your mind you’ll find me at the village forge. The farrier happens to be my uncle, and as luck would have it he offered to take me on and train me in his trade this very day. I said I’d think about it, but now my mind has been made up for me.’ He patted her hand as it lay on his arm. ‘Come, we might as well walk together. We’ve nothing more to lose.’
    He left her at the scullery door and she went inside, covering her torn blouse with her damp shawl in case anyone was about. All was quiet, but as she entered the kitchen she came face to face with a furious Annie. Her face was ashen and her eyes blazed with anger. ‘I saw you,’ she said, pointing a shaking finger at Stella. ‘I was clearing the dining room when I looked out of the window and saw you racing across the lawn to the folly. You went to meet him, didn’t you?’
    â€˜It wasn’t my idea, Annie. You must believe that.’ Stella held up her hands in a gesture of submission but the movement caused her shawl to slip, revealing her dishevelled state.
    Annie’s eyes widened in horror. ‘You’ve been whoring with him, haven’t you? Just look at the state you’re in.’
    â€˜No, really, it wasn’t like that. He attacked me, Annie.’
    â€˜You’re a liar. Jacob isn’t like that.’ Annie took a step towards her, eyes narrowed. ‘I saw Jacob follow you but you must have led him on. Jacob wouldn’t behave like that.’
    A bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to overcome her, but Stella managed to keep a grip on reality. ‘Annie, it wasn’t Jacob who attacked me. He saved me.’
    A look of disbelief crossed Annie’s pallid features. ‘Why should I believe you? I know he’s sweet on you. If it weren’t for you he’d see that I’m the girl for him.’
    â€˜And you are. I’m not interested in Jacob.’
    â€˜So who was this mysterious man you went to meet?’
    â€˜I might as well tell you, because it will be common gossip before nightfall. If you must know I was foolish enough to agree to meet Master Tommy. I thought I could sort things out between us, but I was wrong. He’d been drinking and he tried to rape me. He would have succeeded if Jacob hadn’t seen me going to the folly and followed me there.’
    â€˜Oh, Lord, what a tangle.’
    â€˜If you want to see Jacob again you’d best run to the stables. He’s packing his bags as we speak. He’s leaving because he knows he’ll be sacked for punching Master Tommy on the jaw.’
    Annie’s eyes widened even further. ‘He never did.’
    â€˜He knocked him senseless and he’ll get the blame for it, which is very unfair. I’ll be in trouble too and I’m not waiting around to suffer the humiliation of being sacked.’
    â€˜Where will you go?’
    â€˜I