Page 40 of The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady

Chapter 15

Dorothy had no further reoccurrence of her illness, but she was fidgety, and hoped that Christopher would call this morning as he usually did. But while she anticipated his appearance, she was also sad, because he would be here only a few days longer.

At the moment, she was in her bedchamber preparing a locket with a lock of her hair to give Christopher to remember her by. But she kept being distracted as she gazed out the window, lost in thoughts about her darling young man. Could it be she had found her one true love? She could hardly believe it was true. But so far, he had remained constant and his face always lit up in a beaming smile every time he came to see her.

However, she was brought back into the moment when there was a knock at her door and Anna came inside.

“News of Father,” she announced excitedly. “Come, a gentleman has just arrived and wishes to speak to both of us.”

“How wonderful, is Father coming home?” Dorothy asked.

“He has not said, as of yet. Come, come.” She said and put out her hand to hurry Dorothy along.

They ran down the hallway, down the stairs, and into the sitting room where a stout, elderly gentleman with fuzzy white hair was standing at the window looking out. He turned when he heard them enter.

“Ah, you are both present. Thank you, Miss Hoskins. Please sit.”

“You have news of Father?” Dorothy asked, as she sat facing the gentleman.

“First, let me introduce myself. I am Lord Richard Hargrove, Director of the East India Company’s London office.”

“Lord Hargrove, did you need to come all this way to tell us about our father’s return? Certainly, a note or letter would have been sufficient,” Anna said, “Do you have news of his imminent arrival?”

“Oh, yes, please tell us. We have had no letters from him for many months and we are longing for news from him,” Dorothy added.

Lord Hargrove looked down, clutched his hands behind his back, and shuffled.

“My dears, I am afraid I come here bearing bad news.” He stopped, seeming to gather his thoughts.

Both Anna and Dorothy blanched. Anna stood, and asked, “What? Tell us. Please.”

“I am dreadfully sorry to say your father was lost at sea in a terrible storm off of east Africa as he was returning home to England. He had informed us he was hoping to surprise the two of you by his return.” Neither daughter could respond. “He was one of our most loyal, productive, and valued employees. I am so very sorry.”

Anna sat back down, too stunned to respond. Dorothy burst into tears, stood up, and raced out of the room.

“Was his body recovered?” Anna finally asked.

“I am afraid not. The ship, its crew, and passengers were all lost, I am sorry to say.”

Anna sat silent for several moments. “I guess it is going to be up to me now to make arrangements. I must arrange a funeral service… Can one do that without a body?”

“I believe so, Miss Anna.”

“And are there any documents I will need as proof of his death?’

“I have everything you will need in my case. I shall leave those with you when I leave. But there is more I need to tell you.”

“Yes?” Anna asked still in too much shock to be able to respond to this overwhelming news.

“May I?” Lord Hargrove asked, indicating he wished to sit opposite her.

Anna nodded.

He sat and said, “Your father made provisions for your family. With him being abroad for long periods of time, and with the uncertainty of travel, he wanted to be certain the two of you would be cared for in case a situation like this ever arose.”

“Provisions?” Anna asked not quite comprehending.

“Your father was a very wealthy man.”