Shadows

XXX

Papa greeted me with a shallow expression the following morning. He folded his newspaper quickly and hid it beneath his thigh. I glanced at him curiously and greeted him with a forced smile. Honestly, I felt ashamed of my behavior the previous day. I began an apology, but he waved me to silence.

A plate of half-eaten eggs and sausage sat on the table before him. I helped myself from the sideboard and took my usual seat. Papa continued to stare into space.

"Have you spoken to Grayson?" I asked tentatively.

"I have not," Papa responded tersely. "I have an appointment with him at mid-morning."

"Oh," I frowned at my dry toast. Picking it up, I began crumbling it on my plate. "I didn't mean to let the situation get out of control yesterday, Papa. I...I'm sorry."

My father glared at me, his expression remaining flat. I noticed the sorrow in his downturned eyes and felt his shame concerning my behavior. Shrinking against my chair, I cast my eyes downward and held back a sob.

I was sorry, but Charlotte irked me. She took pleasure in baiting me. Slowly, I rose from the table and exited the small dining room. I stood in the great hall, wondering which direction to go. Outside, snow fell, whitening the gardens and pathways. I didn't want to visit Mama, nor did I wish to return to the nursery.

Grayson sat on a bench outside Papa's office. My heart went out to my middle brother. A daunting task lay before him. Considering our father's current mood, I didn't wish to take his place. What Gray had to say would further provoke him.

"Are you all right, Gray?" I asked, approaching him. He looked up with hallow eyes. "Isn't Thad with you?"

"I have to face father alone," my brother muttered, clasping his hands tightly in his lap. His knuckles gleamed whitely against his dark trousers.

"I guess I understand," I stated lowly. I wanted to warn him of Papa's mood but didn't want to unnerve him further. "I love you, Grayson." I bent swiftly and kissed his cheek. "Good luck."

"Thanks, Priss." Gray sighed deeply.

When Papa appeared, he leaped up and stood erect, his spine straight and stiff.

"I'll wait in the library if you need me," I whispered, squeezing his upper arm. Grayson mouthed a thank you, and I ducked it inside the open library door.

Minutes seemed to stretch into hours as I awaited Gray's entrance. I picked a novel at random and sat on the settee. The book remained unopened as I contemplated Papa's reaction to Grayson's announcement. Finally, the door cracked open, and my brother's pallid face peeked at me. I leaped up and rushed toward him.

"What is it, Gray?" I demanded, grasping his sweaty palms. I overlooked the newspaper until it fluttered to the floor. Bending, I picked it up. A familiar name leaped out at me.

Wedding Bells Ring Out for Merriweather Wilkes-Porter and Heidi van der Meer

On Christmas day, mid-morning, the bachelor Viscount of Barnstable and Freiin Claiburg exchanged vows in a grand ceremony at the Viscount's baronial home in Yorkshire. The happy couple departed for their Venetian honeymoon early this morning.

The paper fell from my grasp, and blackness surrounded me. I awoke to find Gray and Jane leaning over me. Jane held Mama's smelling salts beneath my nostrils. Blinking rapidly, I pulled myself into a sitting position.

"I...I'm sorry, Priscilla," Grayson muttered, perching on the edge of the settee. "I didn't intend for you to discover the news that way."

I ogled him, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. Valiantly, I attempted to control myself. The overwhelming news startled me. Jane edged closer with the smelling salts, but I waved her away.