Read Online The Girl with the Red Ribbon by Linda Finlay - Free Book Online Page A

Rowan has done her best around here, changes need to be made to bring things up to an acceptable standard.’
    Rowan gasped in protest and Edward blinked in surprise.
    ‘Changes?’
    ‘Yes, Edward, changes, and we will start with you. You are a handsome devil, my dear, but sporting bristles is a common look. Now, it appears our prince has taken to wearing sideburns, and you may too, although the rest of your face is to be clean-shaven.’
    Frowning, Edward stroked his beard. ‘But I like my beard, and shaving takes precious time out of the day.’
    ‘Don’t be difficult, Edward, my dear. A new wife, a new start, isn’t that what they say?’ Fanny smiled as she patted his hand.
    ‘Rowan, you are to wear boots or those patten things your father has kindly bought for you. And, with immediate effect, you will stop wearing that ridiculous rag round your wrist.’
    Instinctively, Rowan’s hand covered her ribbon. ‘Never,’ she cried, jumping to her feet.
    ‘Sit down, please, Rowan,’ her stepmother ordered. ‘You have been without a woman’s guidance for too long and it is my duty as your stepmother to see that you grow up in a ladylike manner and not roam the farm like some hoyden.’
    ‘I s-say, th-there’s no n-need for that,’ Sab stuttered,
coming back into the room. Fanny held up her hand to silence him.
    ‘Ah Sab, that brings me to you. If you don’t mind me saying, Edward, you give this lad far too much freedom. From what I’ve seen, he comes and goes as he pleases. I require a path to be built from the farmhouse to the privy and you can make a start on it tomorrow.’
    ‘B-But we n-need to finish f-fertilizing the soil for the v-v-vegetables. We’re already g-getting b-behind and the m-moisture …’
    Again Fanny held up her hand. ‘If you wish to speak, then please do so properly.’
    Sab shook his head. ‘Uncle T-Ted, you know the m-moon’ll be on the w-wane soon. We must get this done if we’re to p-plant …’
    ‘For heaven’s sake, boy, whatever’s the matter with you?’ Fanny cut in. ‘All this talk about the moon is sheer lunacy. It’s a farm you’re running here.’
    ‘Yes, my dear, it is,’ Edward said, having finally found his voice. ‘But by working with the lunar phases we can ensure maximum results. As Sab was trying to explain, fertilizing when the water table’s falling means the nutrients get taken deeper into the soil and …’ As Fanny held up her hand again, Edward came to a halt.
    ‘Edward, my dear, all this is not my concern. You are the farmer around here and it’s your job to make the money, preferably lots of it,’ she urged, giving a brittle laugh. ‘I shall assist by ensuring your farmhouse runs smoothly, your children behave, and speak in such a manner they become a credit to you,’ she said, staring pointedly at Sab.
    ‘Ex-Excuse me,
Uncle T-Ted,’ Sab started, ignoring Fanny. ‘I kn-know what n-needs to be d-done and I’m g-going to see to it right n-now.’ Without waiting for an answer, he shot out of the door.
    ‘Whatever is wrong with that boy? You need to have stern words with him, Edward,’ Fanny blustered.
    Rowan got to her feet. ‘It’s you, Fanny. You’ve upset him. He’s hasn’t stammered like that for years. I’m going to help him,’ she said to her father.
    ‘All in good time, Rowan. If that’s the way the boy gets attention it’s a pretty poor show and needs to be sorted out. Now, I’d appreciate it if you would give me the courtesy of letting me finish what I was saying,’ Fanny growled. ‘When I went into your room yesterday, I was dismayed to find it littered with half-used candles. Now, one at a time, I can understand, but that many together pose a fire risk and I must …’
    ‘How dare you go into my room,’ Rowan burst out. ‘We respect people’s privacy around here. I knew by that terrible smell you’d been in there.’
    ‘Now, Rowan, that’s no way to speak to your stepmother,’ Edward admonished.