Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
“More than well,” Leticia said beaming, clasping her hands together. “The gloom that has pervaded the house is now lifted!”
* * *
“Oh aunt, don’t be dramatic.” Janice ducked her head in embarrassment.
* * *
Her father reached out and squeezed her shoulder before taking a seat. “One thing I love about this family is that if one is unhappy, all are affected.”
* * *
“In that case, we should all try our best to remain happy,” Janice said.
* * *
“To lead happy lives, indeed,” Emily said.
* * *
“But when we can’t, well then, we get through that together,” Lord Benjamin said.
* * *
“Yes, we do.” Leticia nodded.
* * *
The rest of the family trooped in as they resumed eating. Janice smiled as she ate, feeling the joy of knowing she was loved, regardless of what may come.
CHAPTER 30
Arthur was up early and summoning a hansom to take him to Bedlam. He didn’t even take time to have breakfast. His stomach was always in knots when he visited her, bracing himself for her blank look, her sallow, empty-eyed, sunken-cheeked face staring off at nothing. He spoke to her, but she didn’t make any acknowledgment, not even as much as a flicker of an eyebrow.
* * *
It invariably made his throat close up and his eyes sting. It brought back every memory of his childhood, full of fear and violence and despair all covered up with fake smiles and jewelry.
* * *
The nurse in charge recognized him as soon as he stepped into the hospital. Her face dropped at once. “Oh, Your Grace.” She shook her head. “She’s no better.”
* * *
He nodded, not in the least surprised. “I know. You would have sent word.”
* * *
“I would.” She sighed heavily. “Are you sure you want to see her? She will not recognize you.”
* * *
His lips twisted. “No she will not. But I recognize her.”
* * *
She gave him a sympathetic look before sighing and turning around. “Come along then. She’s just finished with breakfast.”
* * *
He nodded. “Thank you, Sister Sarah.”
* * *
She walked down one darkened corridor and up another. His mother was housed in a private room, paid for by an annuity that Arthur had set up. Before, she’d been in the general population.
* * *
Sister Sarah knocked on the door and then opened it, peering inside. “Your Grace? Your son is here to see you.”
* * *
What Arthur liked about the nurse was that she treated his mother like a person despite her difficulties. He waited until she stepped aside before stepping forward and entering the room. His mother was sitting on her bed, staring out of the window into the pouring rain.
* * *
He walked in slowly, setting the bouquet of flowers he brought on the table. There was an old vase of flowers on the table, and he switched them out, taking his time to arrange the new bunch before he threw the old one in the bin. He was touched that his request to always have flowers in his mother’s room continued to be honored by the nurses.
* * *
He walked over to his mother, looming over her uncertainly. “Mother?”
* * *
She didn’t move or speak. She continued to stare out of the window, unblinking.
* * *
“I came to see you today because I’m at a loss.” He pulled the chair closer and sat on it, facing her. “I was hoping you might help me with something.”
* * *
He stared at her, hoping for something – a jerk of a finger, tilt of her head – anything.
* * *
“I uh…well, there is a young lady. We…have bonded. It’s going well but…” he shook his head. “I am no good for her. I am in the middle of getting my revenge on papa. For you and for me. How can I turn my back on that? And if I don’t, how can I bring her into this mess? What is the right thing to do?”
* * *
He stared at his mother, her vivid blue eyes still bright if blank.
* * *
“I wish you could talk to me mother. I wish you could get better.” He blinked hopelessly at her.
* * *
To his surprise, his mother turned her head, shifting her gaze from the window to a painting on the wall. Arthur looked at it as well. It was a dark painting, a manor house shrouded by trees in the dead of the night giving off ominous overtones. Arthur looked at it too, trying to understand the message.
* * *
“Why would you have such a painting in your chambers, mother?”
* * *
To his surprise, she blinked a few times. It was the most reaction he’d ever gotten from her.
* * *
He leaned in, trying to meet her gaze. “Mother?”
* * *
She whimpered. He stood up in his shock, his mouth open. “Mama?”