Read Online The River Charm by Belinda Murrell - Free Book Online

was a loud clang from the verandah, the sound of some heavy metal object hitting the stone wall. Mamma stifled a shriek.
    â€˜Blast you and blast your impertinent brats,’ screamed Mr Barton. ‘It’s more than a man can stand to see your long face over the dinner table. Do you wonder that I’d rather spend my time at the Three Legs of Man Inn? I don’t know why I slave to feed you and those spoiled brats. You think you are all so superior, but you are no better than me.’
    There was the sound of Mamma’s voice, low and soothing.
    â€˜Don’t talk to me like I’m an imbecilic child,’ roared Mr Barton. ‘Of course I don’t need to go to bed.’
    Charlotte looked around at her brother and sisters. She tried to smile brightly. ‘Come on, Louisa,’ she urged. ‘Time to do some arithmetic! Let’s go the schoolroom.’
    The children rose from the table reluctantly. Someone stumbled in the hallway outside. The door flew open and their stepfather staggered into the room.
    â€˜Well, brats – did you leave me some breakfast?’ asked Mr Barton.
    Their mother followed closely behind, a strange false smile on her face. ‘Come along now, children,’ she said. ‘Time to start your schoolwork. Mr Barton would like to eat his breakfast in peace.’
    Charlotte noticed an angry red streak on her mother’s cheek that had not been there before. Charlotte and Emily hurried away obediently. James glared at the tablecloth. Louisa started to sob.
    Mr Barton swore and clutched his forehead. ‘My poor head! For goodness’ sake, get that wailing brat out of here,’ he demanded, swaying on his feet. ‘Before I do it myself.’ Louisa ran to Mamma and buried her face in her skirts.
    Mamma kissed her head and stroked her ringlets. ‘Charlotte, my dear, be so good as to take Louisa for me,’ she suggested, her voice tight and high. ‘I’ll be there very shortly.’
    Charlotte glanced at Mamma then at her detested stepfather. ‘Come on, James. Come on, Louisa,’ she urged, trying to take her sister’s hand. Louisa clung to Mamma’s skirts more tightly, her sobs rising to a howl.
    â€˜I said shut that brat up,’ shouted Mr Barton, cuffing Mamma on the shoulder. ‘I can’t stand that blasted noise.’
    Louisa screamed once more before her cries subsided and she raised her tear-filled eyes to her mother. Mamma compressed her lips.
    â€˜Don’t you dare hit my mother!’Charlotte shrieked, leaping forward. ‘Don’t you dare touch her with your filthy hands!’
    â€˜No, Charlotte,’ Mamma warned, holding out her arms.
    Mr Barton whacked Charlotte with the back of his arm, sending her flying across the room. She squealed, slid across the floorboards and banged her head on the skirting board. Samson bailed up Mr Barton and growled menacingly, the hackles on the back of his neck raised.
    â€˜No!’ Mamma shouted, darting forward to kneel beside Charlotte. ‘My dearest, are you hurt?’ Charlotte was shocked and angry but not badly hurt. She sat up, shaking her head and blinking back tears, and glared at Mr Barton and Mamma. ‘Are you sure you are all right?’ her mother asked.
    Mamma stroked Charlotte’s forehead, gazing into her pupils to check for signs of concussion. Charlotte nodded and rubbed the side of her head.
    Mamma stood and faced her husband. ‘You will not strike my children.’
    â€˜She deserved it,’ snarled Mr Barton. ‘She needs to learn respect for her elders.’
    â€˜You will not lay a finger on any of my children,’ Mamma reiterated. ‘I will not tolerate it.’
    Mamma was much shorter than Mr Barton, but she looked so fierce that Mr Barton stepped backwards.
    â€˜I will not be treated like this in my own house,’ screamed Mr Barton, spit foaming at the corner of his