Read Online Box Set: The ArringtonTrilogy by Roxane Tepfer Sanford - Free Book Online Page B

her bed reading a
book aloud to Jacob Thomas, who cooed and flailed around in the
cradle. When she noticed me standing in the doorway, she continued
reading as if she hadn’t seen me.
    I waited patiently for her to finish and then
went and stood beside the bed. Hattie and I rarely fought, and when
we did, she was usually most forgiving. This time, however, a
stubbornness showed in her that I tried to understand.
    “How are you feeling?”
    She placed the book next to her and turned to
her side to peer down at the baby.
    “I’m fine.”
    “Sure is a hot day.”
    “I suppose.”
    “Can’t you forgive me? I know I was harsh.
The things I said were absolutely uncalled for.”
    She swung her eyes up at me, revealing my
reflection in her tears.
    “Things aren’t the same for you and me,” I
said wistfully, taking hold of her hand, “but we will always have
each other. You’re my very best friend, my sister, my better half.
That will never change.”
    “I forgive you,” she said through a genuine
smile. “Can’t ever stay mad at you, though sometimes I want
to.”
    We hugged and laughed and then we brought our
brother up onto the bed with us.
    “As soon as Jacob Thomas is big enough, as
soon as he can walk, we’ll teach him how to fish,” I said, as he
grasped my finger with his pudgy little hand.
    “And swim in the river.”
    “And catch frogs,” I added.
    After a long silence, Hattie asked, “Do you
like having a momma - a real momma?”
    “Mrs. Norton is not my momma, nor ever will
she be. She is the meanest person I have ever known.”
    “Meaner than Mr. Giles?”
    “One hundred times meaner! She looks at me
with eyes as cold as stone.”
    “Why did your daddy marry her?” she asked
with a voice so full of hurt it pained my heart. “He doesn’t love
her, does he?”
    I shook my head. “Not even a little.”
    “Do you think he still loves my momma?”
    “I know he still loves Mammy.” I tried to
hide my blush behind the long strands of hair that fell near to my
face.
    Between us, we shared a bond, a real
lifeblood bond that was our brother. No new marriage could take
that away. Through Jacob Thomas, Hattie and I had become real
sisters, and from that day forward we leaned on each other more
than ever. The secrets, lies, and sins we shared remained strictly
within the union of our sisterhood.
    * * *
    Life during the months to follow took a
dramatic turn. In some ways I cherish that period, though I can
honestly say I didn’t feel that way at the time. The world seemed
to be going forward at an escalating rate, like a locomotive, so
fast the ground underneath felt unsteady.
    Without much warning, or perhaps because I
wasn’t paying close enough attention, the world as I knew it was no
longer mine to make of what I wanted.
    When Daddy left for the Southerners’
Commercial Convention, along with Perry Montgomery, I was left in
the care of Eugenia and governess, Mlle. Collette Duval. She wasn’t
English as I had expected, but French. She was a small woman,
probably near Eugenia’s age. She had thin silvery hair, pulled back
into a tight bun, and small, black, beady eyes which only reminded
me of a vile mouse.
    She spoke exclusively in French, and to my
dismay I couldn’t understand a word she said. Beatrice and Violet
clearly understood. They spoke the language fluently and were most
amused at my confusion. Instead of helping me, they went off to
school and left me embarrassed and alone with Mlle. Duval and my
new schoolmaster, Mr. Arthur Leeds.
    I believe my lessons with the rather
mild-mannered teacher would have gone well if Eugenia didn’t lurk
about in the room watching over me. Even Mr. Leeds appeared
uncomfortable with her presence, but as I came to learn, no one
ever stood up to Eugenia Norton Arrington. Not Mr. Leeds or Mlle.
Duval, not the slaves, not even Daddy. The only person to
occasionally challenge her authority was me.
    “Go to your room and study the Bible,”
Eugenia