A Foreign Shore (ebook)

Argumento de A Foreign Shore (ebook)

The Cossacks have always been cavalier with safety in their mines, believing it manly to take risks. But when a score of Cossack miners are trapped underground, it falls to the Welsh miners to save them ? at a cost. The Tsar rewards the bravery of the rescuers with gold medals, but when John, Glyn, Richard, Alexei, and the women travel to St Petersburg, both Sarah and Glyn?s Cossack mistress Praskovia remain in Hughesovka to help nurse the victims of an epidemic of typhoid that began in the pit houses.

But Sarah has another reason for remaining.

While the men are away, Sarah leaves Hughesovka forever, carrying a secret that has driven her from the first real home she has ever known and the only friends she has.

Meanwhile, unbeknown to the immigrants, Richard?s first love, Alice, and Glyn?s estranged wife, Betty, are travelling the long miles to Hughesovka, along with Richard and Anna?s younger brothers. But what will chapel-going Betty, who has a surprise of her own for Glyn, make of Glyn?s exotic, Titian-haired housekeeper who is soon to become the mother of his child?

Hospital Complex, Hughesovka

April 1871

Nathan glanced out of the window of his private quarters at midnight to see Vlad sharing a flask with Alexei and Richard. All three were standing at the back of the hospital a few feet from his front door. He put on his coat and joined them.

Hows Ruth? Alexei asked.

Sleeping in her room with Anna and Mrs Edwards.

No, Im not, Nathan. Barefoot, a wool shawl draped around her nightgown, Ruth stepped on to the veranda. Alexei went to her. She wrapped her arms around him, buried her face in his shoulder, and hugged him.

Embarrassed at witnessing such an intimate scene, Richard and Vlad moved into the shadows.

You all right? Alexei asked Ruth.

Thanks to Anna. She and Sarah are staying with me.

Nathan told me.

Tell your grandmother I received her letter, Alexei, and Ruth and I would be pleased to accept her invitation to drink tea with her the first Sunday of next month.

Ruth lifted her head and looked at her brother. You mean it, Nathan?

I mean it. Go back to bed before you catch pneumonia.

Ruth hugged him before disappearing inside.

I will look after Ruth, Nathan, Alexei promised.

I dont doubt it, Alexei. After today, Ive had to accept she needs more looking after than I have time to give her.

I have a spare revolver. I can teach you how to use it.

No. Thank you, but no, Alexei. Thats Vlads job. Ill see you on Sunday. Goodnight, Richard, Vlad. Nathan followed Ruth into the house.

Glyn Edwards house, Hughesovka

Russian Easter Day 1871

Richard left the breakfast table when he saw Anna walk in. He took her bag from her. Let me carry that upstairs for you. He ran up, opened her bedroom door, and dropped it inside.

Thank you. She walked up behind him.

Hows Ruth and how are you?

Ruths recovering and Im fine. Why wouldnt I be?

Because you shot a man yesterday.

I killed a man yesterday, she corrected. And Id do it again. No man has the right to put his hand up a womans skirt.

He was struck by her vehemence. His suspicions as to what exactly the Paskey brothers had done to her surfaced again. Look, Anna

What? She confronted him.

Im your brother. I love you. Im proud of you. Everyone is. That brute could have killed Ruth.

Tight-lipped, she nodded.

Were so busy, me with Mr Edwards, you in the hospital, we never have time to talk. I want you to know Im here if you should need me for anything. Anything at all.

I know, Richard, and Im grateful, but I dont want to go over what happened yesterday again. Thats all Ive done since I fired the gun. Her eyes were bright, burning.

Love you, he repeated impotently.

Love you too. She went into her room and closed the door.

Dont try and make her talk before shes ready, Richard. Sarah was on the top stair behind him. Anna will talk to you when the times right for her. She knows you love her.

He nodded. She took his hand. He squeezed it gently before running back down the stairs.0