Love's First Flames (Banished Saga, 0.5) by Ramona Flightner Page B

to thrive, young Gabriel. Surely you learned that much in the time you had with your parents.” Mrs. Kruger’s eyes lit with passion, making them appear more silver than blue.
    “Survival is all we need now, ma’am,” Gabriel said. “Someday we’ll have more.”
    “I hope your insistence on not wanting more isn’t shared by your brothers,” she stated, turning to watch Richard.
    He looked away from Florence and cleared his throat, glancing toward Gabriel with a questioning frown because he hadn’t been listening to the conversation.
    “Rich has his own ideas for his life, as he should,” Gabriel said. “And you, Miss Butler, tell us something about you.”
    “I’m an orphan. I’ve lived with Mrs. Kruger since I was twelve.”
    “And is this all you envision for your charge?” Gabriel asked Mrs. Kruger. “A life in service, caring for those with too much money and rarely enough sense?”
    As Mrs. Kruger laughed, Florence snarled. “She’s been kind enough to send me to school to study to become a teacher,” Florence snapped. “I can’t imagine too many employers willing to go to such an expense for their staff.”
    Gabriel raised his eyebrows in shock. “You have surprised me, Mrs. Kruger. I’d not thought you’d be so . . .” His voice trailed away as he struggled to find the word.
    “ Enlightened is the word, my boy. I believe Miss Butler is intelligent and curious, two traits that shouldn’t be squandered behind a feather duster.” She smiled as Gabriel choked on a laugh. “I think you need to do more of that, my boy. Laugh. As for you,” she said, pinning Richard with a fierce stare, “I’m interested in what you’re doing with your life. The life your brother sacrificed so much for.”
    “I’ve begun work in a forge as an apprentice, and I’m learning rapidly,” Richard said with pride. “It’s a little over a year since I started there, and I’m an asset to Old Man Harris. When I’m fully trained, I know he’ll offer me work as an assistant, and then we’ll be able to leave our aunt’s house. Live on our own.”
    “Plan for your future,” Mrs. Kruger said with a calculating glance between him and Florence.
    Florence gasped and Richard flushed, while Gabriel returned to glowering. Mrs. Kruger laughed, enjoying the intrigue over tea. “Ah, this visit has done me a world of good. I hope you are soon to visit me again.”

CHAPTER TEN
    FLORENCE PULLED HER TAN COAT more firmly about her as she walked from the trolley stand toward Mrs. Kruger’s mansion. She glanced in a shop window artfully displaying linens from France and buried a pang of regret that she had no money to buy anything. She shook her head at her foolishness and strode toward what was now her home.
    “Hello, Florence,” Richard said as he sidled up next to her. He stepped away from her as she started with surprise. He smiled with relief as her instant anxiety changed to pleasure as she realized he was next to her.
    “Mr. McLeod,” she said with a hesitant smile. She bit her lip as she looked around the street. “I . . . how did you know where to find me?”
    “Mrs. Kruger loves to talk, and you are one of her favorite subjects. She regaled Gabriel and me about your success at your teaching academy when you left our tea to continue your duties in her house. She didn’t seem to mind informing me when you’d be walking home.” Richard frowned as he glanced around. “And I have to agree with her. It’s rather late for you to be out on your own.”
    “I do the majority of my work around her house in the morning and early afternoon, and take the late afternoon for my course work. I don’t mind returning to the house after dark.” She slipped her arm through his as they walked past a saloon.
    “Do you have to do more work this evening?” Richard asked.
    “Of course. I must ensure she is settled and then tidy the house for the morning. Afterward I study before bed.”
    “Seems like an awful lot of