Chapter 47
In the library, Kyran crouched by the mantle jostling at the fire as Ruby behind him slept with a book open on her chest.
Tessie moved quietly into the room. "How is she?"
"She was awake earlier. She is doing better."
"Have yer told her about America?"
"Not yet. But she will be happy enough to be away from this place. To have a fresh start. And to never have to see or think of him again. The rest I will deal with."
Kyran dusted his hands and moved over to Ruby, adjusting her blankets and moving her book to the side table. Tessie looked guiltily at her hands. "I owe yer both so much."
"No. You don't. All of this happened because of my father. It was him, Tessie. And if I had been stronger to end this earlier, to do something, anything, things might have been different for
