Depravity: A Beauty and the Beast Novel (A Beastly Tale Book 1) by M.J. Haag Page B

the Kinlyn boys watched their father closely.
    Mr. Kinlyn laughed slowly.
    “Looks like we should rest the trees tomorrow and try for some fish.”
    The boys agreed with a laugh.  Liking the happy calm atmosphere of their home, I listened to their plans and ate until my stomach ached.
    *    *    *    *
    The walk home seemed to take longer, but at least we didn’t walk in silence.  Father asked Blye what she thought of Renald.
    “He seems nice enough, but I’d still like to try to apprentice at a seamstress in Water-On-The-Bridge.  The one we visited yesterday wanted to see an example of my work and said she would consider me if it was well done.”
    Father nodded without comment and then asked Bryn what she thought of Henick.
    “If I marry him, I will die before my time,” Bryn ominously predicted.
    I wanted to ask her how she could possibly know when her time was but kept silent.
    Father made no comment either.

Seven
    The sun set as we followed the main road to the village.  In the distance, the baying cry of a lonely dog broke the evening’s quiet.  The scuff of our footfalls on the packed earth kept us company.
    When we returned home, a large chest rested on the ground in front of our door.  Attached to the clasp, a single piece of crisp parchment fluttered in the slight breeze.  Father plucked up the paper before any of us could move close enough to read it and brought it inside, heading for his study.  Bryn and Blye stared at the chest for a moment, neither moving to touch it.  Skirting around it as Father had, I followed him to the study.  After a brief delay, I heard Bryn and Blye follow.
    “It would appear news of your need to marry has spread,” he mumbled looking troubled.  “This note worries me.”
    He handed the sheet over for us to read.
     
    Sir,
    This trunk is but an example of what I can offer for your daughter should you willingly part with her this very night.
    Be warned, once you part, you will never meet again.  If you consent, have her await me alone outside your front door in place of the trunk.  If I find the trunk as I left it, I will know you have declined.
     
    I couldn’t make sense of the scrawled signature that decorated the bottom of the page.
    Neither Bryn nor Blye spoke as they both left to see what the trunk held.  Father followed them while I narrowed my eyes on the writing.  Who would mysteriously want to take one of them after the sun fell?  And the request hinted that he had no desire to meet Father in person.
    Setting the letter on Father’s cluttered desk, I slowly followed the sound of an excited squeal.
    “Look at this!” Blye cried, pulling out a long length of smooth material that rippled in a cascade when she draped it over her arm.
    Leaning close, I eyed the contents of the trunk.  Obviously, the mysterious suitor meant for Blye to join him.  Neither Bryn nor I had much care for material, though watching Bryn’s appraising gaze, I guessed she might be gaining an appreciation for it.
    “I’ve never felt anything so fine,” Blye whispered, gently stroking the fabric.  “To wear this...I would feel like a princess.”
    “So you’d accept some unknown man?” Bryn asked.
    “Wouldn’t you for this kind of wealth?” Blye said with a laugh.
    Neither looked at Father, but I watched them all as they spoke.  Father studied the contents warily.  Blye saw nothing more than the wealth, not even the jealousy in Bryn’s gaze.
    “I cannot allow it,” Father said finally.
    Blye’s head whipped toward him; her disbelief plain.  He held up a hand before she could protest.
    “The wealth is alluring, but what if the man or your place in his life is not.  I recall Bryn’s words about the Kinlyn’s hard life.  They are a happy family with wealth enough of their own, but Bryn knew it wasn’t enough.  You know nothing about him, and I fear sending you off into an unknown life without the assurance that I might check on you