Love's First Flames (Banished Saga, 0.5) Read Online Free Page B

her sons whined behind her. “The public one nearby for boys not of quality. I will not pauper my family enrolling you in the exalted environs of the prestigious academy attended by my dear boys.” She smiled, although Gabriel tensed as it appeared sinister and calculating rather than soothing. “You will have chores you must complete every day. If you do not complete your chores, you will not eat.”
    Gabriel nodded, an inexpressible weariness pervading him as he understood the reality of his current situation.
    “Come along.” Mrs. Masterson pulled on Jeremy, dragging him away from Gabriel. Gabriel yowled in protest as Jeremy screeched, creating the desired effect of all three McLeod brothers following her at a fast clip as she reentered the entryway and ducked into a small staircase. “Down,” she ordered, pushing Jeremy in the back. He teetered forward, almost tumbling headlong down the steps before he regained his balance and descended the stairs. Gabriel reached forward in an attempt to aid him, but his arm was slapped away by his aunt. “Stop coddling the boy.”
    All four of them took the stairs, turning left into a bright kitchen with two half windows at street level letting in daylight. A scarred oak table sat against one wall with benches underneath; a large black stove with cast iron pots bubbling on top sat against one wall, the scent of thyme and oregano wafting through the air, the surrounding floor and wall area completely composed of blackened brick. They walked across scrubbed-clean slate floors, through the kitchen and into a hallway. Gabriel peered into a tiny room, seeing a cot and a furnace with a chute for coal.
    “Behave, or that will be your job, and you’ll never see the light of day,” their aunt warned as she turned them to face the room across the hall. The three brothers peered into the room where two maids worked to clear many years’ worth of dust and dirt. Three cots piled haphazardly on top of each other with chairs and a few tables underneath them filled the small space.
    “This will be your room.” Their aunt smiled with satisfaction.
    “For which one of us, Aunt?” Gabriel asked.
    “For all three of you, of course.” She tapped him on the head. “I don’t have the space to spare more than the one room.”
    Gabriel and Richard looked up, as though imagining the rooms upstairs, and shared a dubious glance. “As you say, Aunt.”
    “Exactly, Gabriel. It is as I say, and it will do you well to remember.” She turned to look around the small hallway.
    “It may take them a few more minutes to clear the space for you so you might as well wait in the kitchen.” They followed her, pulled out a bench at a table and sat with a thud. “Do not move from here. Do you understand?” When they nodded their agreement, she spun and ascended the stairs.
    “I’m hungry,” Jeremy whispered as he leaned into Richard’s side.
    “I know, Jer. I think we all are,” Gabriel said. He crossed his arms onto the table and laid his head on them. “I’m so tired.”
    “Gabe,” Jeremy whined.
    Gabriel raised his head and glanced around the well-ordered kitchen. The only food evident was in the soup pot on the stove. He glanced around the room until he saw a small curtained area. “Rich, you’re lookout.” Gabriel hopped off the bench and tiptoed to the curtain, pulling back a small section and peering inside.
    He turned around with a broad grin. “Eureka!” After another nod to Rich with a pointed glance at the door, Gabriel snuck inside. Foodstuffs in glass jars lined the shelves, their purple and green and orange contents teasing Gabriel. On the middle shelf, he found a loaf of oatmeal bread, partially cut. He turned, finding a dull paring knife and hacked off three pieces of bread. After tucking them into his shirt, he peered out the curtain.
    At Richard’s nod, he exited the pantry. “Here, Jer, try some bread. There’s no butter, but it should help.” Richard loped over