Page 10 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“If you’re takingWilliam, it looks likeI’llhave to takeMr.Tenebris,”Clarateased.
“You stay away from him,”Lillianwarned, setting the invite on the table next toElla.Theyall looked at it as if it were some creature they had never seen.
“What are you going to do?”Claraasked.
“Tell him no,”Sissysaid, going back to folding the laundry.
“Don’t letMotherhear that.”Lillianlooked over the rollsClarahad been working on. “Shebelieves thatAlbertis the perfect husband forElla.Heis rich and he already has children, one being a son, so you wouldn’t have to have any.Clara, make sure these are all the same size or they will burn.”
“I’m not marryingAlbert.”Ellastood and walked over to the teapot. “IfImarry,Iwill marry someone who loves me.”
“Gods below, tell me you’re not that naïve.”Clarastopped what she was doing and looked atElla. “Youare.”
“Clara,”Sissyscolded.
“Clara’s right.Loveand marriage don’t go hand in hand,”Lilliansaid.
Ella was surprised to hear this fromLillian, who was about to be married.That’swhy people get married, because of love.Orbecause the inn was closing.
There were lots of thingsElladidn’t remember about her old life.Whereshe came from, who her parents were, if she had any siblings.Butthe one thing she was certain of was she loved someone.Alove so deep it left its mark on her bones.Andwhen she thought of it, a deep sense of loss consumed her.
She listened toLilliantalk about the other things that were more important than love.Likerespect, a safe place to raise her children.ItmadeEllasad.Lovewas the reason for life.
The reason to get up in the morning.Todream.Towish.Itwas the reasonEllahadn’t given up.Sheknew it was out there.Shehad seen it in the wayMrs.Alooked atLillian.Sheeven saw it inThane’seyes when he spoke of the one he lost.AndEllawanted that type of love.
“Lillian?”Mrs.Acalled as she barged into the kitchen. “Thereare guests waiting to check in.Clara,Mr.Crawford’sbedding needs to be changed.Sissy, there are still dishes on the table.AndElla,Mr.Tenebrishas asked to speak to you.Youcan bring him his evening meal.”Mrs.Astarted gathering the things forThane’smeal.
“Why doIhave to deal withMr.Crawford?”Claragrumbled. “Whycan’t she change the sheets andIbringMr.Tenebrishis meal?”
“Because he didn’t ask to see you.Lillian, the guests,”Mrs.A. snapped. “Whydid all the gods and saints decideIshould be saddled with four girls who leave all the work to me, anoldlady?”
Lillian walked over to her mother. “Becausethe gods decided that you hadn’t been punished enough.”Shekissed her mother on the cheek.
“Oh, hush.Gosee to the guests.Clara,”Mrs.Asnapped.
“It’s not fair.”Claratore two sheets from the pile of clean ones. “Ishould be seeing to the needs ofThane.Iknow what men like him need.”
“Clara,”Sissywarned. “Don’tspeak like that or people will start whispering about you.”
“Sissy is right,Clara.Mymother doesn’t employ women of ill repute.”Lilliansmiled. “Besides, you’re not a long-lost princess likeElla,”Lillianteased on her way out the door.
“Neither is she.Andthere is only one woman of ill repute in this room, and it’s not me,”Claracalled over her shoulder.
Sissy’s hand flew to her chest. “Itwas one kiss,Clara.AndItold you in secret.”
“I don’t think she’s talking about you,Sis.”Ellawinked atSissy.
“Oh.Oh!”Sissy’seyes went wide with understanding.
“Damn you four.”Mrs.Aturned, holding a tray. “Sissy, go finish clearing the table, andElla, take this up toMr.Tenebris.Anddon’t do anything of ill repute while you’re with him.”
Ella smiled, taking the tray. “Notin this fine establishment.”
“Go.”Mrs.Ashook her head, complaining about her staff.
Ella wondered what odd dreams would come of her seeingThaneagain.
Hopefully not one where death visited.
