“Hello, Mother,” Jack said.
“I am not your mother.” Elizabeth Windrush pulled herself more erect. “Who is this dark woman, William?”
“This woman is my wife.” Jack kept his emotions under control. “Her name is Mary.”
“You inherited your father"s tastes, I see.” Elizabeth Windrush stared at Mary as if at some mortal enemy.
“Only the best ones, Mother.” Again, Jack forced down his temper. He edged closer to Mary, who attempted to hold Elizabeth"s gaze.
“Get this blackamoor out of my house, William,” Elizabeth Windrush commanded, turning away. “Instruct her to take my husband"s bastard with her.”
Jack waited until his step-mother was three yards distant before he spoke again. “I thought you"d be pleased to greet your new neighbours,” he said. “You see, Mary and I have inherited the adjac
