A Hearth in Candlewood Read Online Free PDF Page B

charged, directing his words to her and away from his brother.
    Emma cast them each a hard look. She had neither the patience nor the wisdom of Solomon, but she had no intention of sending Widow Leonard home with either of these two men until the elderly woman made the decision to do so. ‘‘If and when your mother decides to leave is up to her,’’ she said and deliberately kept her voice soft but firm.
    ‘‘If and when my mother leaves is not up to her,’’ Andrew spat. ‘‘According to my father’s will, she’s to live with one of us, and she’s due, no, she’s past due the time when she should have come to live with me. So I’m afraid she’ll be leaving now. With me.’’
    ‘‘Since I can’t afford for her to stay here any longer,’’ James said firmly, ‘‘she’ll have to come home with me today.’’
    Emma drew several long breaths to allow for a quick prayer. ‘‘In truth, gentlemen, your mother will not be leaving at all. She’ll be staying here a bit longer. You see, she’s not here as a guest, as you’ve both presumed. She’s living here now as a member of my staff.’’
    James’s eyes widened. ‘‘Your staff? You mean to say you’ve actually hired her to work here?’’
    ‘‘Don’t be absurd,’’ Andrew charged. With his face flushed and his eyes bulging, he looked like a pot about to boil over on Mother Garrett’s cookstove. ‘‘In addition to the fact that she’s far too old to be working, there’s little of value—’’
    ‘‘Actually, she’s quite skilled with the needle, and she’s agreed to share her talent with all of us here at Hill House,’’ Emma interjected. ‘‘Like other members of my staff,’’ she continued, unwilling to give either man the opportunity to argue with her, ‘‘she’ll receive room and board, along with a small stipend, in exchange for her valuable services.’’
    ‘‘I want to speak with my mother. Now,’’ Andrew demanded as he took a step forward.
    James rose from his seat so fast his chair nearly toppled to the floor. He caught the chair with his free hand and set it right before he locked his gaze with Emma’s. ‘‘I was here first. I’ll speak to my mother first.’’
    Emma locked her knees together to keep them from shaking and managed a smile. ‘‘I do apologize to both of you. I know you’ve both traveled a long way this morning, but unfortunately, I don’t allow my staff to have visitors when they’re working. Your mother’s free time is from noon on Saturday until eight o’clock on Sunday evening. During that time, she can stay here and receive visitors or she can return home, much the same as the other members of my staff often do. Until then, I’m afraid I must ask you both to leave. I really must get back to my guests,’’ she announced and rose from her seat.
    Andrew took another step forward and effectively blocked her way. ‘‘You have no right to keep me from seeing my mother, and I will not allow gossipmongers to label me as an ogre for putting my aged mother out to work when that’s most definitely not the case.’’
    ‘‘Nor will I,’’ James added, although he did not move from his position on the opposite side of her desk.
    Emma swallowed hard. If it was indeed true that the two brothers were not speaking to each other because of some unexplained disagreement, at least they were now united against what they perceived to be a common enemy—her. Neither man, unfortunately, seemed willing to budge, which meant the standoff would continue and she might be forced to spend some time trapped behind her desk.
    Unsure of exactly what to do next, Emma simply held her ground, quite certain neither one of Widow Leonard’s sons would resort to violence to get his way. For several long heartbeats, she heard her pulse pounding in her ears. When she glimpsed the sampler hanging on the wall next to the window, she let out a sigh and prayed each man would be swayed by her words.
    ‘‘You