“I may have been too harsh. Pleaseoverlook my remarks, Lord Stephen. I have not been myself of late,”Penny said, gesturing again for the others to take theirseats.
“Given your circumstances recently, Ithink I can understand something of what you’ve been through,Countess,” responded Lord Stephen.
Penny’s embarrassment evaporatedimmediately. “I sincerely doubt that,” she answered, struggling tocontain a more bitter response.
Dorian’s mouth opened momentarily, asif he wanted to say something on Stephen’s behalf, but a quick nodfrom Rose cut him off. When he began again a second later it wasdefinitely on a different course, “Stephen has some news that mayrelate to what happened to Mordecai last year.”
Those words drove out Penny’s subtlewonderings at Rose’s motivation instantly. If they had come fromany other source she might have reacted more skeptically, butDorian’s pain at Mordecai’s loss was nearly a great as her own.“Please explain, Lord Stephen, and be quick to the point. You havemy full attention,” she commanded.
Lord Stephen sat a bit straighter andlaunched into a quick explanation, “Late this afternoon an alarmwas raised in the dockside district. One of the city watchdiscovered a man leaning over a dead woman near an alleyway. Whenhe approached the man, the stranger straightened and pretended torequest assistance.”
“What do you mean, pretended?” sheasked impatiently.
“The guard knew him on sight havinglearned his appearance while working at the palace a few yearsback. He identified the man as the late-Count di’Cameron. Becauseof this, he was able to recognize his danger before the creaturecould get within arm’s reach of him. He retreated and used hiswhistle to summon aid,” explained Stephen.
Penny’s knuckles were white where herhands gripped the arms of her chair, and she struggled to retainher composure. “Were they able to restrain the creature, or didthey d—destroy it?” she asked, unable to prevent her voice fromcracking slightly.
It was a foolish question. Standardprocedures called for immediate cremation of any shiggreth found,regardless of the situation. Stephen’s face reflected a deepsympathy as he went on, “No, it summoned a fog and while searchparties were organized quickly, it escaped nonetheless.”
“And the woman?” shemanaged.
“Her body had disappeared as well,probably for the reasons that…,” Stephan began.
Penny cut him off, “the reasons onewould expect when dealing with shiggreth. Did anyone identify heror report someone missing afterward?”
“Not thus far,” he replied.
“Do you have any further news?” shequestioned.
“No, Countess, and I apologize forbeing the one to bring you such a painful reminder of…”
She dismissed his apologywith a wave of her hand, “My feelings are not your concern. Ineither want nor need anyone’s sympathy, no matter how wellintentioned. Now if you will excuse me I’d like to be alone.I’m sure youunderstand,” she said cutting him off in a bitter voice. She stoodand started to leave the room, pausing only at the doorway, “If youdo receive any more information, please do not hesitate to informme.”
She made it up the stairs and nearlyto her bedroom before her exterior calm began to crack, first witha tremble in her breathing, followed soon after by a hot tear onher cheek. She wanted only to be alone, but Rose had followedquickly on her heels. The other woman opened the door and enteredthe bedroom immediately after her, without waiting for aninvitation. They had been friends for many years.
“You were rather hard on LordStephen,” Rose observed.
Penny used a handkerchief to dab ather eyes before turning to answer her intrusive friend, “Perhapsyou will make my apologies for me. I don’t seem to be fit forproper society these days, Rose.”
“I do understand that, Penny. You knowI do,” responded Rose, “but there are others out there who canappreciate your loss as well, if you’ll take the time to listen tothem.”
“What do you mean?” askedPenny.
“It was pure coincidence that LordStephen brought the news, but the reason Dorian and I asked him tocome and repeat it for you directly, is that I thought perhaps youwould benefit from hearing his personal story as well. He hassuffered in a similar way to what you have,” said Rose.
Penny’s eyes narrowed, “I should haveexpected you had a secondary motive. Nothing is ever simple withyou is it?”
“He lost his wife a few years ago,when several shiggreth slipped into Malvern. He had to order hercremation personally. The two of you have quite a bit in common…,”Rose explained, but her words were cut short by a stingingslap.
Penny’s hand burned from striking herfriend. The action had come so quickly it surprised her, and shehad barely managed to reign herself in in time to keep the speedand force of the blow from reaching potentially dangerous levels.Even so, a trickle of blood ran from the corner of Rose’s lip wherea nail had torn her skin, and her face was alreadyreddening.
“Never Rose! Never again! Do youunderstand me!? I have had it with these games! If you are truly myfriend, then act like it! Stop trying to maneuver me!” yelledPenelope. The rage inside her burned hotter than she could everremember feeling before.
Despite the pain, Rose’sface remained calm. Blood dripped from her chin as she replied, “Ihave never been anything but your friend, Penelope. Through fireand blood, childbirth and death, I have always supported you. Oneof these days perhaps you’ll pull your head out of your ass andrealize that sometimes there are things more important thanyour loss—things likeyour children, your people, and possibly even the friends you aretoo blind to appreciate!”
Anger and shame warred within Penny inequal portions, making it impossible to think. “Please leave,” shesaid at last, uttering the only words she could manage.
Moving briskly, Lady Rose stepped outbefore slamming the door behind her. After she had gone, only theimage of her angry blue eyes remained to haunt Penny’smind.
She spent the next hour strugglingwith the emotions that seemed to undercut every rational thoughtshe attempted. The idea of Mordecai wandering the city
