Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 126850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Grace smiled softly at Freya. “At least the people who matter are here.”
“You’re right.” Freya returned the gentle gesture. “It is upsetting, but at least most of our family have arrived.”
“Did James’ family get here okay?” I asked.
“Last night,” Freya said. “They rented cars, and with a bit of work, everyone was able to get here. I believe his sister got diverted to Aberdeen, so they’re trying to figure that out.”
“I need a cup of tea.”
We all turned towards the door as Dad walked over to the table. I’d never seen him look like this before—his eyes were almost glazed, and he had an expressionless mask on his face.
It was like he was drugged.
“Are you okay, darling?” Mum asked, moving towards him. “Will, a cup of tea, please.”
I poured it and handed it over without adding milk or sugar to it. “Here, Dad.”
“Thank you.” He looked at me, but he wasn’t really. He sipped from the tea, and I pushed a stool towards him that Mum eased him down on to.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Freya asked, leaning towards him.
“Um.” He blinked and looked at her. “There’s five off the guest list.”
My stomach twisted.
Freya reached for him. “Who? Dad, what’s happened?”
“I just spoke to Margaret.” He looked from Freya to Grace. “Oh, hello, dear. I didn’t see you there.”
“That’s all right,” Grace said softly. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Dad’s expression cleared, and he looked at me, then Mum. “Margaret. I just spoke to her. Margaret Wellington.”
I leant towards Grace and whispered, “Dowager Countess of—”
“Coventry,” she whispered back without missing a beat.
“They won’t be able to make it, nor will Henry Edwards. Um. Goodness.” He wiped his hand down his face. “The Earl passed away in the early hours.”
The twist in my stomach felt like a gut-punch. “Eric’s dead?”
“Yes.” Dad’s glazed look swept over his face again, and Mum clasped her hand to her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. “They think it was a heart attack. He was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital.”
I took a step back, and the only thing that stopped me falling into nothing was Grace’s soft hands guiding me to one of the stools.
And not letting go.
One on my back, the other curled around my upper arm.
“And Fred? How is he?” My voice sounded dry, even to my own ears.
“The Earl,” Dad said flatly. “Such is the nature of inheritance.”
Grace stepped closer to me, and the hand she had placed on my back moved in slow circles.
“Excuse me,” he said after a moment. “I must call Violet and see what I can do for them.”
“I will arrange for some flowers to arrive,” Freya said, finishing her tea and getting up. “Do you want me to call instead, Dad? You look like you need to lie down.”
“No.” He looked around at all of us. “I need something to do.”
“How about another suit fitting?” I suggested, breaking through the sadness for a split second. “I don’t think you’ve had enough.”
Mum and Dad both cracked a smile at me, and Freya glared.
“Fine, make a joke at my expense,” she said, holding her hands up. “I can accept it. It’s fine.”
“Wow. James really did slip something into your breakfast, didn’t he?”
“Shut up, William.”
Mum wiped under her eyes, but there was a small smile on her face. “Never have I been so relieved to hear you two bicker.”
“Indeed,” Dad echoed. “It’s somewhat comforting.”
I mock-saluted them. “I’ll send Fred a message.”
“Oh, Will, can you reach out to Max, too? In Windermere?” Freya asked, pausing in the doorway. “I know he and Fred are extremely close. Please tell him that I won’t be upset if they choose to go to be with Fred and his family instead.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I expect Ellie and Esme will go with him.”
Grace frowned. “Windermere. Are you talking about Ellie Aarons?”
Mum looked over. “Yes. Max is the Duke of Windermere—she’s his girlfriend. Do you know her?”
“I do, yes. We became friends in university. Her cousin was in one of my classes and introduced us. I helped with one of her books a few years ago,” Grace explained. “If it helps, I’m happy to reach out to her.”
I looked from her, to Mum, and then to my sister.
Well.
We really did have mutual friends.
How about that?
“Yes, please,” Mum said after a second. “That would be extremely helpful, Grace. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Stuart, dear, let’s go and call Violet. Freya?” Mum said, then looked back to me. “Would you tell your grandfather? We’ll all need to be ready to attend the funeral.”
I nodded. “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
The three of them left, all turning in the same direction, and I sagged onto the counter in front of me.
Grace lowered to the empty stool next to me. “Are you all right?”
I turned to her with a grim smile. “They’re good friends of ours. I went to university with Fred and Max, and Eric was very close to Dad.”