She was brought back to the present as the vicar came up beside her. “I don’t mean to intrude on your privacy, but may I sit beside you for a moment? Comforting is my job, you know.”
With a small smile, she replied, “I could use some comforting.”
After a few minutes of silence, she stated, “I believe I’m ready to leave this place of death now, David. Thank you for all you’ve done for us… for me.”
“Good,” he said rising, “and you’re welcome. Shall I accompany you back to the manor?”
Rising, Katherine accepted David’s offer and his arm.
* * *
Alex greeted them when they arrived at Wistmere. “I was just about to search for you, Katherine. Vicar Hawes, won’t you come in?”
“I shouldn’t. I have a sermon to prepare.” He looked to Katherine. “But may I call on you later?”
“Please do.” She lingered at the doorway as he walked away.
“Perhaps,” Alex started, drawing her attention from the vicar’s vanishing form, “the doctor will allow May-Jewel to leave her room and join us down here for tea.”
“Yes, that would be perfect. I’ll go to the kitchen and maybe Molly has some biscuits as well.”
Alex smiled and headed up the stairs while Katherine disappeared down the hallway.
The doctor gave his approval but declined to stay for tea himself. “Mind you, now,” he warned as he followed them into the sitting room, “not to overtire my patient.”
“It’s the furthest thing from my mind,” Alex told him as he led May-Jewel to the settee and carefully wrapped a throw about her shoulders.
“I’ll be off then. Until tomorrow.” The doctor nodded and left.
The gloominess of the day couldn’t suppress the glow in May-Jewel’s face. Like a princess, she leaned back into the cushions as Alex attentively covered her legs with another throw. She smiled. It was good to be alive and to be free from the horror that had, for the last few weeks, plagued them and Wistmere. She felt cleansed too, untethered from her past. A letter from Jeremy, delivered while Alex and Katherine were at the funeral, released her from all unspoken promises between them. “I’m unable to come,” it read, “and have made other plans for the future.” It was a hard hitting and direct way to let her know that he had found another to replace her. Oddly enough, May-Jewel wasn’t crushed and didn’t seem to mind so much after all.
She handed Alex the letter, and said, “Burn it. It’s from a previous beau.”
“Well, whoever he is, he’s a fool to have let you out of his sight,” Alex said, crumbling the stiff paper and tossing it into the fire. Sitting beside her, he continued, “I’ll never make that mistake.” Casting his eyes to the floor, he became quiet and thoughtful. Arched eyebrows formed into a painful frown as he haltingly began to speak. “I… I have a small estate, of sorts, the other side of Lanarkshire. Though it’s not as old nor as large as Wistmere, it does have an abundance of furniture and a small staff. There wasn’t much of an inheritance left to me from my father, only a modest house and a small tract of land. But I can offer you a very old and respected name. I am the last of my line of Flemings in Scotland, and this experience has taught me that wealth isn’t as important as how, and with whom, you share your life.”
May-Jewel sat up in surprise, the light in her deep purple eyes dancing. “You mean you have a manor? I never really thought…”
Pressing his fingers lightly to her lips, Alex continued, “I love you and nothing would make me happier than for you to be my wife.”
She leaned forward and caressed his face in her hands. “Yes, yes! I love you too, Alex!”
“You may have to relinquish your claim to Wistmere. I’m not at all sure Katherine would tolerate my hands in things now. Could you give up your inheritance for me?”
But she didn’t answer his question, for the door suddenly opened and Katherine, balancing a tray of rattling spoons, tea cups and a teapot, entered the room.
Upon seeing May-Jewel, Katherine immediately set the tray onto the table and came to her. “Oh, I’m so glad you are up and about. Everything will be all right now.”
Molly suddenly appeared. “Mistress,” she began as she placed a platter of muffins on the sideboard. “Mister Jameson be here.”
“Mr. Jameson? Show him in! And, Molly, please bring another cup.”
The solicitor entered, his inverness cape damp and rumpled from his long journey. “I apologize for my delayed arrival. I tried to come as soon as I received your letter but was unable.” He smiled and removed his coat, handing it to the cook as she left the room. “I would have been here this morning for the funeral but the roads are almost nonexistent, the mud, you know. Ah, Scotland!” He greeted the women with a deep bow, pleased to see them so calm in each other’s presence. He studied their faces and their manners. They have changed, he thought, watching Katherine pour the tea and handing a cup to May-Jewel. He then offered his hand to Alex and moved to the warmth of the fireplace.
“It’s good of you to come,” Katherine said. “Sorry you missed the funeral.”
“Yes, I’m sorry I missed it too. Perhaps you can explain in detail the occurrences leading to Garth’s death.” Opening his portfolio, he missed the sadness that flitted upon Katherine’s features. He pulled forth papers and money, then he moved to spread them over the low table in front of the sofa.
Seemingly uninterested, May-Jewel leaned back, reveling in the thought of Alex’s proposal. By accepting, she would have to give up her position at Wistmere.
