the day.
*****
After breaking their fast, Clint and Emily wasted no time in leaving for their journey to visit her relative. She was so nervous she felt sick and Clint gave her a reassuring squeeze as they approached the dainty little cottage her family resided in.
The door flew open before they could even knock and a stout grey headed lady ringing her hands in her apron stepped out and greeted them both. Before Clint could make the introductions she put her hand up to stop him. “I know exactly who she is your grace; the resemblance to her father is uncanny.”
Emily was confused. Did this woman know who her real father was? They were shuffled into the small kitchen where they found that her cousin had been busy planning for their arrival. Delicate pastries were placed within hands reach of them as they sat down.
The elderly lady reached for Emily’s hand and squeezed it. Emily felt herself tear up at the love and warmth she saw in the woman’s eyes. “My name is Harriet Moncrief child; my father and your grandfather were brothers. I have never married, and so wished when Matthew died he had left your care in my hands. The Duke has given me a brief account of what has happened with you and your mother’s people.”
Emily looked down at the hand that held hers that was withered with age. “I overheard my aunt and uncle talking. They say Matthew Moncrief married my mother because he was a fool and she had a child upon her unmarried.” She felt she should put this straight out there for this kind woman to know before any kind of misplaced conceptions between them developed.
The older woman surprised her by wrinkling her nose in disgust at the mention of her aunt and uncle. “Hogwash!” she exclaimed. “Your father and mother loved each other very much, you may have been conceived before for the wedding night, but I can assure you that Matthew and Marjorie Moncrief endured many hardships to be together.”
Emily was confused. “The Moncrief’s have never been considered vastly well off, and Marjorie’s father and good for nothing brother Albert hated the fact that Marjorie loved your father and to add insult to injury your father made a name for himself as well as a pretty decent fortune without their help.”
Harriet sighed and with sympathy she continued. “Your father had only recently allowed them to dabble in his business and found out too late some of the business transactions your grandfather and uncle had arranged were made under shady circumstances. One of the last shipments of cargo your father sold had actually been stolen goods. This is why you and your family were attacked and so many were killed that day.
Some of the scoundrels caught your grandfather and killed him before the law caught up with them and by that time Albert had went into hiding with your inheritance. Unfortunately, your father and mother thought they could trust Albert and Evelyn and left you in their care, and were dead before anything could be done to change it.”
Emily was stunned. Her mother’s own brother and father were to blame for her rape and murder. All this time she had lived with her aunt and uncle she suffered abuse and was made to feel as if she were a burden when in fact they were living off her inheritance that was in turn tainted with the blood of her family? Emily was furious. Somehow she would make her aunt and uncle pay for their treachery.
She would never hear another unkind word spoken towards her parents by the two people who stole her livelihood. After another hour of talking with her dear newfound cousin, Clint and Emily made their way back to the townhouse after promising Harriet they would visit often.
Clint stroked her back as he watched her face for any sign of what she may be thinking or feeling. He finally broke the silence. “Are you okay love?”
Emily looked out
*****
After breaking their fast, Clint and Emily wasted no time in leaving for their journey to visit her relative. She was so nervous she felt sick and Clint gave her a reassuring squeeze as they approached the dainty little cottage her family resided in.
The door flew open before they could even knock and a stout grey headed lady ringing her hands in her apron stepped out and greeted them both. Before Clint could make the introductions she put her hand up to stop him. “I know exactly who she is your grace; the resemblance to her father is uncanny.”
Emily was confused. Did this woman know who her real father was? They were shuffled into the small kitchen where they found that her cousin had been busy planning for their arrival. Delicate pastries were placed within hands reach of them as they sat down.
The elderly lady reached for Emily’s hand and squeezed it. Emily felt herself tear up at the love and warmth she saw in the woman’s eyes. “My name is Harriet Moncrief child; my father and your grandfather were brothers. I have never married, and so wished when Matthew died he had left your care in my hands. The Duke has given me a brief account of what has happened with you and your mother’s people.”
Emily looked down at the hand that held hers that was withered with age. “I overheard my aunt and uncle talking. They say Matthew Moncrief married my mother because he was a fool and she had a child upon her unmarried.” She felt she should put this straight out there for this kind woman to know before any kind of misplaced conceptions between them developed.
The older woman surprised her by wrinkling her nose in disgust at the mention of her aunt and uncle. “Hogwash!” she exclaimed. “Your father and mother loved each other very much, you may have been conceived before for the wedding night, but I can assure you that Matthew and Marjorie Moncrief endured many hardships to be together.”
Emily was confused. “The Moncrief’s have never been considered vastly well off, and Marjorie’s father and good for nothing brother Albert hated the fact that Marjorie loved your father and to add insult to injury your father made a name for himself as well as a pretty decent fortune without their help.”
Harriet sighed and with sympathy she continued. “Your father had only recently allowed them to dabble in his business and found out too late some of the business transactions your grandfather and uncle had arranged were made under shady circumstances. One of the last shipments of cargo your father sold had actually been stolen goods. This is why you and your family were attacked and so many were killed that day.
Some of the scoundrels caught your grandfather and killed him before the law caught up with them and by that time Albert had went into hiding with your inheritance. Unfortunately, your father and mother thought they could trust Albert and Evelyn and left you in their care, and were dead before anything could be done to change it.”
Emily was stunned. Her mother’s own brother and father were to blame for her rape and murder. All this time she had lived with her aunt and uncle she suffered abuse and was made to feel as if she were a burden when in fact they were living off her inheritance that was in turn tainted with the blood of her family? Emily was furious. Somehow she would make her aunt and uncle pay for their treachery.
She would never hear another unkind word spoken towards her parents by the two people who stole her livelihood. After another hour of talking with her dear newfound cousin, Clint and Emily made their way back to the townhouse after promising Harriet they would visit often.
Clint stroked her back as he watched her face for any sign of what she may be thinking or feeling. He finally broke the silence. “Are you okay love?”
Emily looked out
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