The Baker's Tale by Thomas Hauser Page A

trade, your little fantasy would be less foolish. But Edwin does not live under leaves and keep cows and sheep. He is learning to be a man of business. He is as far removed from your reach as Heaven will be if you continue your wanton conduct.”
    Ruby sat silent, weighing the letters that had been written in Edwin’s hand and the fact of his absence from the learning center. Helplessness and desolation welled up in her breast like blood from an inward wound.
    Isabella was speaking again.
    â€œWhen Edwin and I are married, we will have a large house in a fashionable neighborhood, a footman to open the door, a housemaid, a cook, a butler to wait at our table, and a carriage and horses to drive about in. I believe that is more than the dowry you would be able to offer him.”
    â€œBut we still have a problem,” Murd said, fixing his eyes on Ruby. “The whispers about your attentions to Edwin have begun. It is not town talk yet. It is not yet cried in the streets or chalked upon the walls. But whispers have been heard. Perhaps you are unversed in the realities of civilized life. And so, recognizing the truths of the world we live in, I feel compelled to remind you of the immense disadvantage at which you have placed Edwin. His future promises all of the honour and wealth that a man of his talent can attain. But his future will be bleak if he is seen as mingling with a woman such as yourself, who has fastened herself as a leech upon his progress in the world.
    â€œYou are a dark cloud that is shadowing Edwin’s future. If the situation is not corrected immediately, I will have no choice but to dismiss him from his employment. Not only will Edwin lose his job, he will be disgraced. It will ruin his career irretrievably. Therefore, you shall pledge never to see Edwin again. You will abandon all pretense that he has feeling for you and forget him as the object of your desire. You will relinquish any and all ties to the relationship. Is that clear?”
    There was no response.
    â€œWhat are your thoughts?” Murd pressed.
    â€œI think that you are a horrible man.”
    â€œI am not interested in what you think of me. I am interested in what you think of ruining Edwin. Those good looks of yours are worth money, and you shall make money off of them. But not at the expense of my reputation and my family. Either we will come to a friendly agreement today or we will come to an unfriendly explosion. If it is the former, Edwin will not be hurt. If it is the latter, I have told you what will happen.”
    â€œWhen would you dismiss him?”
    â€œPerhaps tomorrow. And one thing more. The law intervenes to prevent good English citizens from being troubled by unlawful intrusions upon their daily life. Properly implemented, it takes hold of a transgressor and punishes him, or her as the case may be. I regret the need to be impolite. But if you are ever seen with Edwin again, I will give you over to the police.”
    It was too much. The colours of Ruby’s life were changing.
    â€œYou claim to have high regard for Edwin,” Murd said in a calm measured voice. “If that is so, I am sure that it would be a source of great unhappiness to you were you the cause of ruining his future.”
    â€œShe cares nothing for Edwin,” Isabella interposed. “She cares for no one but herself.”
    A look from Murd silenced his daughter.
    He returned his attention to Ruby.
    â€œAnd one thing more is required of you,” he said in a calm measured voice. “You have compelled us to this course. The fault is yours, not ours. If Edwin is to be saved from ruin, it will not be enough that you abandon your foolish designs on him. You must remove yourself from London.”
    â€œI do not understand your words.”
    â€œThen I will speak more clearly. You will leave London tomorrow.”
    â€œLondon is my home.”
    â€œYou will be provided with travel and funds to begin a new