Page 20 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
Ella jumped at the sound ofWilliam’svoice. “Whyare you sneaking aroundMrs.A’sinn?”Shelooked down at the plates she was holding, unsure where to set them.
“I haven’t seen you in days.It’slike you’re trying to avoid me.WhydidSissyshove you out the back door?Wasthe tall, dark, and mysteriousMr.Tenebrislooking for you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”SheletWilliamtake the plates from her and set them on the muddy ground.Fatraindrops hit the ground, splashing mud onto the white plates.
“You tell me.”
“No, you said it.”Ellawaited forWilliamto say more. “William?”
“Is it his wealth?”Williamtook a step closer.
A heaviness hung around him.Ithad the bitter taste of fear.Andhis eyes burned with something she had never seen in him before.Jealousy. “Idon’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really?He’sbeen asking about you.Heasked what my intentions were with you.”
“I cannot control whatMr.Tenebrisdoes.”Ellafrowned.Shehad never seenWilliamlike this.
“Is it because he’s rich and can give you maids and servants?”Williampushed.
“Where is this coming from?”Ellastepped away. “Ithas never been about the money.”
“Really?Andwhat about the golden room you wanted?”
“A silly dream.”Ormemory. “Thereis more to a marriage than money.”
“Prove it.Runaway with me.Runaway from this muddy village and these small-minded people.Provethat whatIcan give you is enough.”Williamtook her hands in his.
“What has gotten into you?Runwhere?”Ellatried to pull away.William’sthoughts were a mess of hope and anger.Theyswirled around her, tugging at her own thoughts.SheheardAlbertcalling for her. “Dammit, go!”ShepushedWilliamtowards the river.Therain fell harder as they ran down the muddy path away from the inn and her fears.
They took a right instead of heading to the river, racing towards the abandoned building.Somethought it an old barn, and others believed it might have been an old mill.Whateverit was, some believed that was where the gods slipped in and out ofRiverton.Williampushed the large sliding doors open just enough for them to sneak in.
They ran across the dirt floor splattered with pigeon droppings and broken glass.Shefollowed him up the stairs that led to a loft filled with forgotten treasures, old doors, carriage wheels, and partially drunk bottles of spirits.Theywove around the maze of chests and chicken crates to the little corner the two of them hid away in during the cold autumn and spring nights.
William's mouth pressed against hers.Hetugged at her wet clothing, nipping at her neck and ear.Somethingwas wrong.Thiswas notWilliam. “William, stop.”Shepushed him away, his breath coming up fast.Hisfear tasted bitter. “What’swrong?”
“Nothing.”Williamnuzzled her neck.
“Stop it.Thereis too.”
William stepped away and kicked one of the chicken crates over, sending dust into the air. “Myfather has to sell the mill.”
Ella straightened her shirt, not sure what to say.Williamstood in the dim light of the window.Hisshallow breaths filled the small space.Hisfear mingled with the uncertainty of both their lives.William’scarefree nature was now weighed down with the reality of losing something. “Um…Ithought…Imean…”Themill was the other thing the men ofRivertongossiped about.William’sfather had taken out a loan against it.Thatloan was due.
“Did you know?”Williamraised his head, looking at her.
Ella chewed on her bottom lip. “Everyonedoes.Ithought you knew.”
“Is that why you’ve been seeingAlbertandMr.Tenebris?Iheard you were withThanethe nightMr.McCoydied.Alone.Whatwere you doing?Planninga wedding?Maybelaughing about the misfortune of those around you?”
“Who told youIwas with him?”
“No one.Ijust figured, since you weren’t at the inn that night.”William’seyes hardened.
Ella narrowed her gaze at him. “WhatIdo with my free time is mine.Youdo not own me.AndifIwant to spend the evening with a friend,Ican.”
William barked out a laugh. “Afriend?Youthink he wants to be your friend?Thereis one thing a man likeThaneTenebriswants from a woman who looks like you, and it’s not to be your friend.”
Ella felt like she had been slapped. “Iunderstand you are hurting right now.Andbelieve it or not,Ialso know what it’s like to lose something, soIwill not take your words to heart.”
