Page 14 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
Ella looked down at her hands.Herknuckles were chapped from the lye in the wash water.Hereyes had looked dull in the mirror this morning.Thatseemed to be happening more and more.Herhair had lost its luster.Whoevershe used to be was fading into whoeverEllawas. “Idon’t want those things.”
Sissy sat down next toElla. “Well, of course not, silly.Thoseare my wants.Wecan’t have the same.Didsomething happen?”
“The inn is closing, andIfear marriage is my only option.Williamthinks we should marry.Andthat we’d have children andI’dhelp at the mill and…”Ellacould feel tears of frustration burning her nose. “Idon’t want that,Sissy.Williamsays he loves me, butIdon’t thinkIcan love anyone.IthinkIlost that with my memories.”
Sissy smiled and brushed the hair that clung toElla’scheek. “Youcan’t forget how to love.Youjust haven’t found the right one.”
“But what ifInever do?”Mostof her memories were lost.Butthe shadow of an old love was still there like a clean spot on a dusty mantel.
“I think you have.Youjust don’t know it yet.”Sissylooked to the hall.
Ella looked up to seeThanestanding in the doorway.Helooked tired, his hair a tousled mess.Helooked like he was fading too.Ellastood, wanting to go to him to ease away whatever deprived him of sleep. “Areyou alright?”Thewords surprised her.
“No.Butthat’s not your fault.”Heran his hands through his dark hair. “Iseemed to have missed the evening meal.”
“Yes, you did.ButEllacan get you something.”SissypushedEllatowardsThane.
“Right.Um… let me…”Ellalooked around the room, remembering it needed cleaning.
“I’ll take care of the room.”Sissysmiled. “Go.”
“There is some stew left if you would like,”Ellasaid, stepping to the hall.
“I’m afraid that will have to wait.Wemust get toMr.McCoy’sbefore it’s too late.”
“Too late for what?”
“Too late at night.Mycarriage driver has bad vision.Canyou be ready soon?”
“Yes,Ijust need to change.”Shelooked at him once more in the low light.Theshadows seemed to hide him. “Areyou sure you are alright?”
“Yes.I’mjust eager for this to be over.Youhave less than an hour,” he said before stepping back into his room.
The kitchen was empty; neitherClaranorMrs.Awere anywhere to be found.Thedirty dishes were still in the washtub.Ellaquickly filled a bucket with water and hurried back to her room.Shewashed her face and dressed quickly, checking her reflection in her bedroom mirror.Sheleaned closer to see her eyes were dark blue-green, and her hair seemed to shimmer a bit more.Thatwas probably because it needed a good washing and she was exhausted.
Ella hurried down the stairs to findThanewaiting in an empty dining room.He, too, had changed into a dark suit and gray shirt, but his hair was still a tangled mess and he still looked worn-out.Shepaused a few steps aboveThane. “Whereis everyone?”Aneerie silence filled the inn.Therewere no guests.
Thane looked around the room. “Idon’t know.”Hisgray eyes met hers. “Godsabove,Ihave forgotten how…”Thanelet the rest of his words fall, and his eyes roamed up her body.
“You have forgotten what?”Ellatook the last step so she was eye level with him.
He watched her for a moment, almost lost in his thoughts. “Thatyou must be tired since you worked all day.Weshould go soIcan get you back.”Heoffered his arm toElla.
“Right.”Shelooked over her shoulder for any sign of life.Itfelt as if time had stopped.Thaneopened the front door, and they stepped out into the cool night air. “Thisis my favorite time of day.”
“Mine too.”Thanenodded to the footman, who opened the door. “Please, we haven’t much time.”
Ella felt underdressed for the luxurious interior of the dark carriage.Thesoft seats were covered in a lush black velvet, and the walls were covered in tufted silk with golden threads.Shesat back, closing her eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of finally sitting down.Thanesat across from her, pulling the door shut as the carriage rolled away from the inn.
The lush greenery that surrounded the inn faded into the plain brown village ofRiverton.Lillianhad said people once painted their homes and businesses in bright colors.Butthat stopped when visitors from other cities stopped traveling toRivertonas much.Thequaintness of the small village wore off, and now people wanted the warm ocean breezes of the coastal cities.
Now everything melted into one colorless glob.Thebuildings blended into the wooden boardwalk that faded into the dirty road that cut the city in half.Thane’spolished carriage was a dark shadow against the brown.Likehe was.
Thane wore a simple dark gray shirt and loose-fitting trousers tucked into black boots that hugged his calves.Hisdark suit coat lay next to him.Everythinghe wore was made for him.Itall fit perfectly, and it differed greatly from the homespun look ofRivertonandMorro.Itwas more than his clothing.Hishair was a bit too long.Hisbottom lip was a bit too full, almost like he was pouting.Thatmight have been why she was drawn to him.Neitherof them fit intoRiverton.Orit was the fact that he looked like a god sitting in the low light of the carriage.
A god she’d sell her soul for a kiss from.
Gods below,Ella, stop it.
