Free Adam's Promise by Julianne MacLean Page B

you won’t have need of a governess. You’ll have a new stepmother.”
    â€œBut Papa says she won’t be here before autumn. Why do you have to leave now?”
    Because if I don’t leave now, it will be too painful later.
    â€œIt’s just the way things are. I’ve already promised the Ripleys.”
    Penelope was quiet a moment. “I never knew my real mother.”
    A heaviness settled in Madeline’s chest. She stopped what she was doing and touched Penelope’s shoulder. “I know, sweetheart, and I’m very sorry. I never knew my mother, either, and I know how it feels.”
    Madeline shuddered inwardly at the memories of her lonely childhood, of never being held or cuddled the way other children were. Her own father hadnever offered her any affection—only blame and disdain, for having been the instrument of his wife’s death. That fact had led to his favoring Diana all through their lives.
    Madeline found herself wondering more about Adam as a father to these children. Was he affectionate? Had he ever blamed Penelope for Mrs. Coates’s death, as Madeline’s father had blamed her?
    â€œPapa says that Mama had a good heart,” Penelope said, “and that she could thread a needle with her eyes closed.”
    Madeline made sure to keep her tone cheerful. “That’s quite a talent. I don’t believe I could do that.”
    â€œNor can Mrs. Dalton. Or I. But I keep trying. Papa says it just requires practice.”
    Madeline held the bucket while Penelope dug into it for more feed. She felt a sudden, strong connection to the girl beside her.
    Penelope’s tone brightened. “Is your sister anything like you?”
    Now, there was a good question, Madeline thought. She had to think very hard to come up with some similarities to offer Penelope. “We both grew up on the moors in Yorkshire. And we both like the color blue.”
    â€œDoes she look like you?”
    â€œNot at all. She has blond hair and blue eyes and she’s very beautiful.”
    â€œYou’re beautiful, too.”
    â€œThank you, Penelope, that’s very kind of you to say. You’re a sweet girl.”
    â€œI’m not trying to be kind, or sweet. It’s the truth.”
    Feeling a pleasant swell of warmth, Madeline turned the bucket upside down and dumped the last of the feed onto the ground. Then she and Penelope went into the barn to fill another bucket for the hogs.
    â€œWill you come and visit us when you’re living with the Ripleys?” Penelope asked.
    Even though she knew future visits would be difficult, Madeline couldn’t bring herself to refuse Penelope’s invitation. “Yes, of course I’ll come.”
    A short time later, Madeline and Penelope started back to the house. They had just reached the kitchen door and were discussing a new cookie recipe, when a gut-wrenching scream cut through the still, morning air and pitched Madeline’s heart into her throat.

Chapter Seven
    â€œW hoa!” Adam angled the plow to a halt, wiped a sleeve across his damp forehead and turned toward the house. He listened intently, not altogether certain what he’d heard. There. There it was again—another cry from the upstairs window.
    Dropping the reins, he bolted for the door. He nearly wrenched it from its hinges as he threw it open and ran through the kitchen toward the stairs. Two at a time he took them, until he reached the top, crossed the hall and skidded to a halt at Mary’s open door.
    She was sitting up on the bed, panting and screaming Jacob’s name while Madeline leaned over her, trying to calm her. “Everything’s going to be all right now, Mary. I’m here.”
    Penelope dashed into Adam’s back. “There you are, Papa! I tried to find you!”
    Adam turned to her. “Go out to the south field and fetch Jacob. Tell him Mary’s time has come, but first go and get Mrs.