1722 by Amy Cross

Author:Amy Cross [Cross, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2023-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

“Father?” Patience asked a couple of hours later, as she stepped across the garden and saw her mother's body resting on a pile of sticks and twigs, beneath a white sheet. “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done from the start,” he replied firmly.

“I couldn't find Father Ward,” she replied, as she looked at her mother's bare feet and saw that the ankles were thick with bruises, “but I'm sure -”

Before she could finish, flames consumed the corpse. Shocked, Patience could only stare in horror as her father stepped back and the fire began to grow.

“You said you were going to bury her!” she gasped.

“This is quicker and easier,” he replied, staring at the flames. “I'm sorry, Patience, you might not like this but it's really the best way. Your mother never liked being a burden on anyone, so I'm sure she'd understand.”

“But a Christian burial is -”

“Speak no more of it!” he snapped angrily, turning to her with pure rage in his eyes. “Do you understand me? I am the man of this house and my decisions are final, and I will not be second-guessed by a mere girl!”

“Of course,” she said, pulling back slightly, shocked by his fury. “I'm sorry, Father, I didn't mean to doubt you. I just didn't understand, that's all.”

“You're upset about your mother's death,” he replied, “and that is clouding your judgment. I understand, but more than ever now I need you to keep the household running. Hadlow House is a large property for just the two of us, Patience, and you're going to have to take on a great deal of responsibility. I shall endeavor to find a housekeeper, but that will take time and for now I need to know that I can rely on you.” He waited for an answer. “Can I rely on you?”

“Yes,” she stammered, before looking at the bonfire again as the flames flickered and crackled. “I'm sorry.”

“I shall deal with this,” he indicated, nodding toward the funeral pyre. “You must busy yourself with matters inside the house.”

“Yes, Father,” she replied, before realizing that he was waiting for her to leave. “I'm sorry, Father,” she added. “Of course. I won't let you down.”

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