Read Online The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang - Free Book Online Page B

“You have no idea why your father left England?”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “You father tried to steal his older brother’s wife. Well, that was before they were married, so I suppose at the time she would only have been his fiancée. She is now your aunt, actually, since she did marry your uncle. Of course this was all long before I was born, so I’ve only heard rumors. But it was quite the scandal. Your father seduced his sister-in-law-to-be, and the whole family was in an uproar echoing to all corners of London. Your father left in shame, promising never to return for fear of reminding everyone of the whole affair.”
    The story seemed completely out of keeping with the man Cosima knew as her father. Not that she’d ever thought of her father as a man, really, capable of being foolish and passionate in his youth. Could it be true? She couldn’t possibly know one way or the other—but why would Reginald make up such a thing?
    “I suppose I should avoid any contact with them, then, so as not to bring up such a history.”
    “Nonsense, my dear. We’re expected to dine with them on Friday, and they’re eager to meet you. The whole escapade has long since been forgotten by almost everyone, except perhaps by your father, who refuses to come home.”
    “My father has been invited back to his family?”
    “Of course. As I said, they’ve kept track of him even if he’s been secretive about them. And as you deduced on the day we met, how else would I have heard of you except through those who do not deny your existence?”
    Her father’s family. Relatives who shared the same Escott name and blood. Strangers . . . but not quite. And she would meet them in two days’ time.
    Family, Lord. People You’ve chosen for me to know. Let me know You’re with me each step, and lead me along the way. Your way. Cosima’s gaze fell once more on Reginald, and she added to her prayer. And, Lord, please guide me to the future You would have for me. Whether that includes Sir Reginald or not.

7
    Talie stared at the names in the old family Bible. They were just names, after all. She didn’t have to attach a history to any one of them.
    From his favorite leather chair, Luke set aside the newspaper. “How is it going?”
    She didn’t look up. “Fine.”
    “I’m glad you’re working on that,” he said after a while.
    Now she did look at him. “Are you?”
    “You sound surprised.” He pointed with his nose to the open spot on the wall. “Didn’t I tell you I thought a family tree would look good there?”
    “What about your side of the family? Where will we hang your tree?”
    Luke laughed. “There aren’t any family Bibles floating around my side with all of the information handy.”
    Despite the ease of compiling names and dates from her own side, the thought of researching Luke’s heritage appealed to Talie. Maybe she should do that instead and forget all of this. Wouldn’t he really rather display his own family tree than hers, anyway? They all carried his family name.
    She stared at the list in front of her. The names of those who had died in the fire seemed to stand out. Was she crazy to advertise evidence that her family had once suffered in such a way?
    She shook the thought away. She wasn’t crazy.
    Closing the Bible, she thought of Cosima’s journal, once again hidden. She’d read another segment after Dana had left this morning, but Luke had found her and she stuffed it away before he noticed. She would have to move it out of the guest room in case Dana stayed over again, which was a likely possibility since she was their favorite babysitter. Talie supposed she could stuff it in her own closet, since she and Luke each had one.
    “I’m going to bed,” she said, pushing herself away from the desk and standing. “Coming?”
    “I’ll be up in a while. Not tired yet. But . . . honey?”
    Talie turned to her husband. His attention was fully on her now, something she normally welcomed.
    “Is it really