The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl Read Free Book Online Page A

you,” Marmee assured him.
    Louisa sighed for Marmee’s mild response. Why didn’t she scold him? Tell him that it was his fault that the family would be split up?
    Marmee gently turned Bronson around to face her. “I will miss you quite terribly.”
    It was the right thing to say. He drew her close to him. “The summer nights won’t be the same without you,” he murmured, smiling down at Marmee. In a flash, Louisa appreciated how good-looking her father was. Perhaps that was why her mother put up with all his failings. He pressed his lips to Marmee’s in a long kiss; she leant against him as though her knees wouldn’t support her.
    Suddenly embarrassed, Louisa started to back away. A knock at the door was a welcome distraction. She darted down the hall, away from the study, calling, “I’ll answer it!”
    The house had eight doors to the outside, but this knock came from the main door facing the road. Henry had warned her to be especially careful while Finch was in town, so she stopped herself from flinging it open as she usually did. Bracing the door with her booted foot, she opened it just a crack.
    A boy waited on the steps. “I’m here for the baggage, miss.” He gestured to his cart parked next to their gate.
    The next few moments were chaotic. May had to reopen her trunk twice to put in her special colored pencils and then her favorite doll.
    â€œWhat have you been doing all this time?” Louisa asked, not hiding her irritation. “Those are your favorite things. They should have been the first things packed.”
    â€œBut then she would miss them too soon,” Beth laughed.
    May threw herself at Louisa’s waist and hugged her tight. “Louy, I’m sorry for being so rude. Don’t be cross with me, please? I wish you could come, too.”
    Over May’s head, Louisa glared at Beth. Louisa knew perfectly well who had prompted this charming apology. But it required a harder heart than Louisa’s to rebuff May.
    â€œI love you, May.” Louisa adjusted May’s bonnet and tugged on the hem of her dress.
    â€œDo I look pretty?” May asked.
    â€œAs pretty as one of your pictures,” Louisa assured her.
    â€œThat’s very pretty indeed,” May said complacently.
    â€œDon’t be vain,” Louisa said automatically. She scowled at the smile on Beth’s face.
    Downstairs, Marmee looked fine in her burgundy traveling suit with a black bonnet trimmed with ribbons to match. It was a hand-me-down, as were all their clothes, but it had been little worn by its previous owner, Marmee’s sister-in-law. When she pulled on her thin gloves, Louisa and Beth nodded in approval. “I have to look respectable for my new position,” she told them.
    â€œYou look lovely, Marmee,” Beth said, her lower lip trembling and her eyes filling with tears. “But I’m feeling too selfish to give you up. ”
    â€œBeth, dear, give me a hug.” Marmee held Beth close and whispered in her ear. Whatever she said, Louisa noted, cheeredBeth enough that the tears disappeared. “Now lie down. I heard you coughing last night. I want you to promise that while I’m away you will rest.”
    Her voice muffled by Marmee’s bodice, Beth promised.
    â€œGood,” Marmee said with an approving nod. “Louisa can walk me to the train.”
    â€œWhat about Father?” Louisa asked, just then realizing that her father had disappeared once he brought the trunks downstairs.
    â€œWe’ve said our farewells already.” Marmee’s eyes went anxiously toward the study.
    After settling Beth comfortably on the sofa with a book at hand, Louisa followed Marmee out the door. May was already running ahead toward town. They began walking, passing the Emersons’ house on their left. Marmee checked the watch she wore on a chain around her neck. “We have just enough time to meet with Mr.