Read Online Ember Island by Kimberley Freeman - Free Book Online

dinner—and she hardened her resolve.
    “I know nothing,” she said.
    “Look out for the chest. I don’t know if it will get there before . . .” He trailed off, then sat down heavily. “The pain will be over soon.” Another fit of breathlessness gripped him and she moved towards him.
    “No. Go,” he said. “Tell Granger . . . to come . . . The sooner it is done, the sooner . . . I can rest.”
    Tilly touched his beloved forehead, then turned and left, gathering her bonnet at the door. She tucked the cigar box under her arm to free her hands to tie the ribbons, then headed down through the back garden. She opened the kissing gate that led to the path running beside the stream. Blackbirds and robins sang, and stringy wildflowers lined the way. She kept away from the main village, taking the stream path past the mill and down onto the grasslands that separated the village from the wood.
    Here, under a chestnut tree, she sat and opened the cigar box. Banknotes. Lots of banknotes. Tilly gasped, pulling a handful out. Underneath lay a letter. She unfolded it. Grandpa’s scrawl was barely legible, blotted and scratchy. But it was only a short message.
     
This is for you and nobody else. A woman should have at least something in the world.
     
    Tilly refolded the note, placed everything back in the box, and snapped it shut. She pressed it against her chest, heart beating hard. “Thank you, Grandpa,” she breathed. “Thank you.”
    By the time she arrived home, the chest was sent, and Grandpa wouldn’t speak of it. “It never happened,” he said, once again flat and limp in his bed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    •
     
    Thud, thud, thud.
    Tilly swam up through sleep.
    Thud, thud. “Miss Kirkland. Tilly.”
    Tilly sat up, blinking her eyes open. Mrs. Granger’s voice at the door. She threw back the covers and moved to the bedroom door to open it. Mrs. Granger stood there, pale, holding a lamp.
    “What is it?” she asked.
    “It’s time. It’s his . . . his time.”
    Grandpa . Tilly grabbed her dressing gown from behind the door and pulled it on. Fast movements, cold heart. She hurried after Mrs. Granger and into Grandpa’s bedroom. All the lamps were lit, the nurse from the village who came to sit with him at night was there. It was too bright and noisy.
    “Tilly,” Grandpa gasped. “I’m sorry to wake you, dear. But I won’t be here in the morning.”
    Tilly sank down next to the bed and grasped his hands. His fingertips were worn smooth by the years. “Hush now, Grandpa. You don’t know that.”
    “I do. I do,” he said, touching her hair softly. “I feel life drawing out of me like water runs out of the bath . . .” Deep, shaking breath. Huff. Huff. “Everybody . . . everybody out except Tilly. It is so crowded in here.”
    Mrs. Granger and the nurse withdrew, the door shut behind them. Grandpa placed his cold fingers gently under Tilly’s chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze.
    “I haven’t . . . been honest . . . with you,” he said.
    “You have always been the best of men.”
    “No . . . no, I . . . haven’t.” The big shuddering breath again, followed by the short series of huffs. “Listen . . . I knew Jasper . . . I already . . . knew Jasper.”
    Tilly’s ears rang faintly. She was overwhelmed by sadness, puzzlement. “What do you mean?”
    “You’re a . . . proud girl . . . too proud . . . you wouldn’t . . . I had to . . .”
    “Grandpa, all is well. Whatever you did, all is well.”
    “Family friend . . . needed you to . . . think . . . it was . . . you who found him. Outside . . . the tailor . . .”
    “Shhh, shhh. All is well. I love him, Grandpa, and as soon as you no longer need me, I will go to be with him and . . .” She fought back tears. She absolutely could not let Grandpa guess at the doubt that she felt.
    He lifted the back of his hand to her cheek. “I no