Page 2 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“Where isMrs.A?”Ellaasked, securing her own head cloth over her hair.Sheread the names on the list of those checking out.Thatwas the odd thing about memory loss.Itpicked which memories to rob her of.Ellawas able to read but had no memory of who taught her.Shehated apples but didn’t know why.Sheknew she was twenty-seven but not when her birthday was.Allpieces to a missing puzzle.
“She’s in the garden.”Sissynodded to the back door.
Ella ran her finger down the list. “Itlooks like we have new guests checking in to rooms two, four, seven, and six.”
“Room six?”Claraasked as she walked back in, setting the tray on the table. “Areyou sure?”Thepetite girl took the list fromElla.
“You can’t read.”Sissyfrowned.
“Who asked you?”Clarascanned the list before handing it back toElla. “Whois staying in room six?”
“Not your future husband,”Sissyteased.
“AT.Tenebris.”Roomsix was the most expensive roomMrs.Arented out.Ithad a private sitting area and a bathing room.Italso had the best views of theCloudMountainsand the river.Theroom also meant whoever stayed in it was wealthier than most who passed through.WhichexplainedClara'sdesire to clean it.Clarawanted a wealthy husband.
“NoMrs.T.Tenebris?”Clararaised a brow.
“It doesn’t say if there is a mister.”
“Of course he’s a mister.Iknow you are new to this life.Butonly women of ill repute travel alone.AndMrs.Awould not allowthattype of guest into this fine establishment.”
Sissy finished makingMrs.Clark’stea. “He’snot even here, and she’s already trying to marry him.Hemight be a hideous ogre.Ican clean room two beforeIstart the laundry.”
“I don’t care what he looks like as long as he has the means to support me.”Clarasmoothed her hair down. “Howlong is he staying?”
Ella brushed offClara’sstatement about her not understanding the local customs.Evenafter a year of living here, she still didn't understand the customs and traditions ofRiverton.Thatwas mostly her fault.Shehadn’t taken the time to learn them, hoping that she wouldn’t need to because her memories would return and she’d be gone.ButnowEllawas starting to lose hope that she’d ever remember who she was. “Thereis no check-out date.”
“Really?”Claralooked at the list again. “I’llclean room six and see toMr.Tenebris.Youtwo can fight over the others.”Clarareached for the key hanging on the peg.
The door between the dining room and kitchen swung open, andMrs.A’sdaughter,Lillian, walked in. “You’llclean all the rooms.Youtoo,Sissy.Ella,Motherwants you to head to the market.Hereis a list of what she needs.Andthere are a few deliveries to be made.”LillianhandedEllaa list and a pouch of coins. “Beback before dinner.Wehave a full house, andClarais no help cooking.She’sno help with serving either but?—”
“I am so,”Clarahuffed.
“No, you’re not.Lastnight you dropped two plates.”
“It was only two.”Clarafrowned.
Lillian rolled her eyes. “Youwere only carrying two.Godsabove,Iwill be glad whenI’mMrs.DarbyWorthingtonand won’t have to worry about this place anymore.Orthe guests.Wouldyou believeMrs.Clarkhad the nerve to tell me she was surprisedDarbywould choose a simple girl like me?Sheaccused me of putting a spell on him.Horriblewoman.I’dlike to put a spell on her.”Lilliantossed down a stained dishcloth.
“Don’t say that,”SissyscoldedLillian. “Deathmay come take your soul.”
Lillian leveled her gaze atSissy. “IdoubtDeathwants anything to do withRiverton.”
“Death will go anywhere there is a soul to take.Andyou don’t want to press your luck so close to your wedding,”SissyremindedLillian. “Especiallysince fate did so much to bring you two together.”
Clara snorted. “Alate spring snowstorm forcedDarbyto stop.Notsome silly god.”
Ella smiled at the two girls.Sissybelieved in things like wishes and the gods.Claradidn’t.
“Oh, hush.You’rejust upsetDeathhas not come to ask for your hand in marriage,”Lillianmumbled.
“I heard that,”Clarasnapped back.
Like the joke aboutElla’slost memories,Clarahad her own issues.Shehad been given the nicknameDeath’sBrideafter two dead and one missing fiancé.Thefirst man died on their wedding day beforeClaracould sayIdo.Thesecond one’s heart gave out three weeks before the wedding.Andthe third was run out of town after rumors of magic beans.Sincethen, no man wanted anything to do withClara, no matter her beauty.Whichexplained her employment at theBlindBadger.
“You were supposed to.Nowget to work.”Lillianwaved the girls away. “Ella, mayIhave a word with you?”
“Sure.”Ellabusied herself with trying to decipherMrs.A’swriting.Shehad an idea of whatLillianwanted to talk about.Clarahad heard rumors about theBlindBadger'sclosure.
