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. Ye know, daughter, I was a generous manter yer mother and me family.While I could afford it, ye wantedfor nothin'.Although she could have argued against his claim, Erienne heldher silence.Avery Fleming had long been known as a man ofself-indulgence, and it was only through the efforts of theirmother that she and Farrell had had a home and as much tutoringas they did.She was not moved by his high opinion of himself. I've been hard pressed since yer mother died, he lamented."While grievin' for her, I forgot meself sometimes, and I buriedme sorrow at the gamin' tables.The day was filled with woe whenI met that Yankee scoundrel and he accused me o' cheatin'. But you were, Erienne stated bluntly.When he gaped at her insurprise, she lifted a questioning brow. You did admit it to meonce, remember?Avery cleared his throat sharply and glanced away, shrugging.'Twas done in desperation. He flung up a hand as he defendedhis actions. Besides, the man was well able ter afford the loss.'Twas him or me, girl, and he wouldna've gone awantin', whereasI.well, ye see what he left me with. Father, Erienne's voice was flat,  cheating for a purse is nobetter than stealing, and you were cheating. And what do ye call it when yer mighty Christopher Seton fliesabout the countryside doin' murder? he demanded.Fire blazed in the dark blue eyes. He has killed outlaws who, forthe wanton murder of innocent folk, deserved to be slain. Shewaved a hand. As for that, I have also killed.And Farrell.Wecame upon a band of thieves attacking a coach, and we firedupon them, killing several to save a girl. A girl? Miss Becker. Erienne supplied the name with a cool smile. Ifneed be, she will support my statement and verify the fact thatthe night rider attacked the highwaymen and helped her andFarrell to escape.Avery's curiosity was pricked. Farrell didn't tell me 'bout her.Erienne remembered her brother's reluctance to confide in theirfather and was not willing to say more. Farrell probably prefersto tell you himself.I shall say no more.A brief silence ensued before the mayor spoke again. You seemter be content with yerself, girl.Living here with his lordship'pears ter agree with ye. I am most content, Father.Perhaps more than you are able tounderstand. Oh, I understand, all right. His chin lowered into his collar, andhis smile was blatantly smug.Erienne contemplated her father, wondering what little tidbit hewas savoring. Do you have something else you wish to discuss?He studied his short, stubby fingers for a brief span of time. Tiscome ter me that ye've not been at all generous with yer kin sinceye've gotten yerself a title and all. I haven't heard Farrell complaining, she replied. The poor lad's been blinded by yer meager show o' kindness,but what really have ye done for him? Have ye been in the leastbit charitable or sympathetic to his lameness? Is he any richer forcomin' out here? Nay, he's had ter work hard for the bit o' coin hehas. In my opinion Farrell's character has advanced considerablysince he stopped rolling in self-pity and did something forhimself, Erienne stated with conviction and a bit of anger. Charity or sympathy, if carried to extreme, can be the ruinationof a good man.A person builds self-esteem after seeing the laborsof his own hands reap a plentiful harvest.Aye, we should becharitable and kind to the less fortunate, but helping them do forthemselves is infinitely more charitable than allowing them tomope about in self-pity.Good, honest work is valuable to one'swell-being.Besides, she couldn't resist adding,  it gives themless time to dawdle around a gaming table.Avery shot a glare at her. Ye've never forgiven me for sellin' yeoff at the roup, have ye? I detested the way you sold me, she admitted.A slight smilecurved her lips as she smoothed her skirts. But I can see naughtbut good from it.I love the man I married, and I bear his child. Is it his? he asked sharply. Or that bastard's ye had in yerroom las' night?Erienne's gaze flew up in surprise, and her heart gave a fearfullurch. What do you mean? I come 'round ter have a talk with ye, and ye had that devilSeton in yer room with ye, right 'neath yer husband's nose.An' Iheard ye laughin' 'bout the babe ye had made together.Ye'recarryin' Seton's bastard in yer belly, not yer husband's.Erienne's cheeks warmed considerably.She wanted desperatelyto retort with the truth, but she knew the folly of that.It was farbetter if her father thought her unfaithful than to jeopardize thelife of the man she loved. Ye can't deny it, can ye? Avery's half-sneering, half-gloatinggrin tore at the mettle of her pride. Ye've played Seton's doxie,and ye've gotten yerself with babe [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]