The Girl with the Red Ribbon Read Online Free Page B

dear?’ Fanny asked solicitously.
    ‘No, Fanny, I’m not. Something I just heard stuck in my throat and made the cider go down the wrong way,’ he grunted, his clear eyes challenging.
    ‘Oh?’ Fanny said sweetly, her face a picture of innocence, but Rowan saw those pebble eyes hardening.
    Oblivious, Sab continued, ‘Yes, you see I understood it was Rowan who …’
    But Fanny shrugged dismissively. ‘Do eat your meal, Sab. I hate to see good food wasted,’ she ordered, then promptly turned back to Edward and began regaling him with a story about eating out in London. Rowan raised her eyebrows, thinking about the remains of bread she’d left strewn over the table earlier.
    Sab’s mouth tightened, a sure sign he wasn’t going to let the matter drop, but Rowan could see how her father was lapping up her stepmother’s attention and shook her head. As she passed Sab his meal, she whispered, ‘Don’t forget about the crust, will you?’
    ‘I’m no fool, and I don’t like seeing you being taken for one either. It must have taken you ages to put this together,’ he said, taking a mouthful of meat and sighing. ‘This is right tasty. I don’t see why she should get away with taking the credit for it, though.’
    Rowan looked down the table.
    ‘Come along, Edward, I insist you have another portion of my pie,’ Fanny was saying, heaping another helping onto his plate. Then she saw Rowan watching and shot her a triumphant look. Why, she’s gloating, Rowan
thought. As her hand went instinctively to the red ribbon around her wrist, she found herself remembering one of her mother’s favourite sayings.
    ‘Don’t worry, Sab, what goes around comes around,’ Rowan replied, turning back to him and winking.
    ‘That was a fine meal, Fanny, my dear,’ Edward said, downing the rest of his drink. ‘You must be quite worn out after all that work.’
    ‘I must admit I am rather fatigued,’ Fanny agreed, smiling at him apologetically as she made a half-hearted effort to collect their plates together.
    Edward put a restraining hand on her arm. ‘After making us a lovely meal like that, I’m sure Rowan will be only too happy to clear away, won’t you?’ he asked, turning towards her. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded. ‘We’ll take ourselves up and have an early night, shall we, Fanny, my dear?’ he said, smiling at her.
    ‘Oh, Edward, you are so kind and thoughtful,’ she simpered.
    ‘Well, we can’t have you wearing yourself out, Fanny, now can we?’
    ‘Good night, Rowan. Good night, Sab. You’ll see the livestock’s settled?’ Edward called over his shoulder as he led his new wife up the stairs.
    ‘I want to do my best by you, Edward, but I can’t deny that it’s hard work cooking for you all. Now, my friend was telling me about these new open ranges you can get. Apparently, they really make a woman’s life much easier.’
    As their voices faded away, Rowan turned to Sab. ‘Father can’t afford things like that.’
    ‘That’s
as may be, but I somehow think she’ll get her own way,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘That one’s perfected the art of looking like an innocent child when underneath she’s cunning as a serpent. Her eyes give her away, though. Bet she’s already got her plans worked out for this place. Uncle Edward won’t stand a chance.’
    Remembering the earlier conversation with her stepmother by the shippon, Rowan couldn’t help thinking he was right.
    ‘Well, I’m too tired to clear this lot away tonight so I’m off to the privy while I can still get in there,’ she said, grinning mischievously.
    ‘I’ll guide you and then see to the animals,’ replied Sab, lighting the lantern. He opened the door and the dogs seemed to appear at his side from nowhere. ‘Can’t believe the old dragon’s banned them from the kitchen, poor things. They enjoy a laze by the fire after a day’s work, just as we do,’ he said, bending and fussing them.
    It was a crisp night with