1609366867 by Janice Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

ease?
    “Please have a seat.” Jacquie perched on a bale of hay, and Tessa glanced out the barn door, knowing Mum would arrive shortly. And heaven help them all if Pa arrived home from the tavern to find Tessa seated on the job.
    The lovely scent of Jacquie’s perfume wafted across the stall and countered the smell of the pigs. Almost, anyway. She gazed at Tessa, her eyes pooling. “This is going to come as a shock, I’m afraid, but your brother and I, well…” She looked up at Peter with a sheepish grin.
    “What she means to say is, we are giving thought to marriage.” His cheeks flushed deep red, and though his broad-shouldered stance spoke of confidence, the worry lines on his forehead gave him away. Something about this did not feel right.
    Tessa looked back and forth between them, her mouth widening into an O . “How— I mean, how is this—?”
    “Possible?” Jacquie rose and twisted her handkerchief in her hands. “Yes, well, I see your point there. My father would never approve.” A roll of those big blue eyes followed her comment. “Not that I pay any mind to such things, but he is steeped in the customs and traditions of our family, customs that go back for generations.” Jacquie paused and gazed at Peter with longing. “But that does not negate the fact that I am in love with your brother. He is my life. And we will marry, when the time is right. After a proper courtship, anyway.”
    The young woman took a few steps toward Peter and leaned her head on his shoulder. He offered what appeared to be a genuine smile. Still, Tessa couldn’t help but wonder why Peter’s expression did not match the look of sheer bliss on Jacquie’s face.
    “I—I see.” Tessa rose and smoothed her dirty skirt. She didn’t really see, of course. Not a lick of this made any sense to her. Whatbusiness did Peter have, toying with his employer’s daughter? Had city life confused him? Made him think more highly of himself than he ought? Did he plan to marry this girl to advance himself, somehow? The Peter she knew would never do such a thing.
    Her gaze shifted once again to the little silk bird on Jacquie’s hat. It bobbed up and down as the young woman spoke, as if ready to take to the skies.
    “My father has arranged for me to marry a wealthy businessman, but I cannot abide the idea.” Jacquie’s nose wrinkled. “Roland Palmer is as dull as paint. Mama has concocted a plan so that I might escape this fate. But I have a plan of my own. I wish for her to think that I’ve actually boarded the ship.”
    “Boarded the ship?”
    “So sorry. I’m getting ahead of myself.” Tessa giggled. “I’m referring to the Titanic . She sails out of Southampton in two weeks. Mama will see me off, and I will supposedly sail for New York, where my grandmother awaits.”
    Behind them, the piglets tousled with one another, their impish squeals interrupting the conversation. Countess rooted through her brood, nudging the babes this way and that with her snout, which only served to get them more excited.
    “But what has this to do with me?” Tessa ran her dirty palms over her skirt again, more confused than ever.
    Jacquie’s voice grew more passionate with each word, which she spoke above the noise coming from the animals. “I do not wish to go to New York. Not now, not ever. I want to stay here, with Peter.”
    “I see.” Only, she didn’t. Not really.
    Jacquie took Tessa’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ve come up with a plan that should change all of our lives for the better.I want to offer you the opportunity to escape from your life here, Tessa.”
    “To escape?”
    “Yes.” Peter drew near and slipped an arm over Tessa’s shoulders. “I know how it is with Father. He’s cruel and he—”
    Tessa put her hand up as tears sprang to her eyes. “Say no more.”
    “He does not treat you well.” Peter’s arms tightened around her in protective measure. “But there is a solution, Tessa. One where you can