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AUNT ADELAIDE

“Your aunt is here to call on you, madam.”

I’d been curled up by the fire reading a book, tired of the relentless rain and desperate for just one day of sunshine. I looked up at Mary and sighed.

“Lady Brimworth?” I asked, and Mary nodded. “I thought one wasn’t supposed to call on a widow.” I closed my book and shrugged out of the shawl I’d wrapped around me. “My family does have such wonderful timing.”

“I apologise, madam, I thought you would want to see your aunt.” Mary’s pretty round face dropped. “On account of her being like a mother to you. In times like these, one must find comfort in the ones that love us.”

I reached out and gave Mary’s hand a squeeze. “You are right, and I am being a misery. All this rain and being stuck indoors is driving me rather mad. Where is she?”

“In the parlour, madam.”

“Thank you.” I gave her a warm smile. “Would you have some tea brought in? On a day like today I think we shall both need some warming up.”

She bobbed a quick curtsey. “Of course.”

I steeled myself for the onslaught of my aunt’s affections. She was a kind enough woman, a little loud perhaps, but always free in expressing her adoration for her children, amongst whom she counted me. My own mother having died days after giving birth to me, my aunt was the only mother I had in memory. And in place of my father’s gruff, almost dismissive demeanour, having a woman like my aunt around me was a boon indeed.

But one I could have done without at this moment.

The reading of the last will and testament of my deceased husband was only days away, and I had begun making inquiries about houses nearer my father. It was all so close I could practically taste it.

My aunt was waiting by the window in the parlour, a frilly purse clutched in her hands. I was surprised to see her observing mourning, dressed in a sombre black dress with long black sleeves. A small amount of colour was retained in the shawl about her shoulders, which was a deep crimson red.

As soon as her eyes landed on me, she rushed across the room to take me in her arms.

“Oh my dear, my poor child!” She hugged me close, then urged me to come sit by her on the chaise. “I came as soon as I returned from Derby. I am so sorry I was not here for the funeral. Was it very awful?”

“No, Aunt Adelaide, it was… I mean, certainly, it was a sad day. But it was also… such a wonderful celebration of Acton’s life.” The lie felt heavy and bitter in my mouth. “So many people loved him, and it was so very honouring to see him laid to rest by them all.”

“It is so distressing to see you so.” She lifted my hands as though to better observe the simple black dress I was wearing. “Such a young woman, already in a widow’s garb. A cruel sight indeed. To have him taken from you after merely three years, how is it to be borne?”

“I… I was blessed to have the years I had with him.” I held her hand tightly, wishing so much to be able to tell someone, anyone, just what I had suffered, and how relieved I was that he was gone. But she would not understand. “And I know you all adored him.”

“Of course, my dear. He was the most devoted husband. I still remember when he came to ask for your hand.” She laughed lightly, and quickly dashed away a tear with her handkerchief. “Like a lovestruck youth. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Your father knew he could not refuse such a declaration of love.”

I swallowed down the venom that threatened to unfurl on my tongue. I did not even want to think of that day. Or the days before that, when my father informed me that a gentleman caller wished to see me. When I had donned my blue dress and had my hair done especially, only to come down the stairs and be met with a man leaning on a cane, with thinning grey hair, and liver spots all over his chin.

I shuddered, and Aunt Adelaide laid her arm around my shoulders.

“I am sorry, my dear, I did not mean to upset you.”

I shook my head, my gaze fixed on my hands in my lap. “You haven’t, truly. I am just tired. It has been a hard week.”

“What will you do now? Where will you go?”

“I had started making inquiries for houses, nearer to Father.” I gave her a weak smile. “I wish to be closer to him, as he no doubt needs me. And I have no desire to stay here when it is Azriel’s family home. It is only right he remain here.”

My aunt’s face dropped instantly at the mention of that name. “Ah, I had heard he had a fortuitous return home. Justin time to bury his father. I suppose it’s the least that cad could do.”

“Aunt Adelaide!” I exclaimed, caught between amusement and surprise. “The poor man has just lost his father, and you speak of him so?”

Aunt Adelaide sniffed and huffed out a little breath before meeting my eyes with an apologetic glance. “I am sorry, that was un-Christian of me.” She leaned a little closer, and her voice dropped low. “But we all know he hated his father, and his father hated him.”

“And yet he is Acton’s heir, and I intend to leave this house to be closer to all of you.” I clutched her hand in mine. “Now, tell me, how is my new niece?”