44c4f7bc13e89187a4f6783156572709 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub

* * *

The scene at the graveyard was solemn. Mr. Fredrick and his wife stood apart from the others in town. Mrs. Fredrick was dressed entirely in black, including a black veil that covered her face and a lacy black handkerchief that she occasionally dabbed beneath her veil. Neither made any move to introduce themselves to the children or speak to Simon.

There were a surprisingly large number of townsfolk in attendance. Dr.

and Mrs. Pratt, Regina Barr, the Parkers and a number of others he only knew by sight. Even Miss Ortolon, the woman who had seemed so opposed to Mrs. Pierce taking them in that first day, was present.

The children were sober, several of them tearful. Dovie and Eileen had done their best to find appropriate mourning clothes for them. Since Mrs.

Pierce was herself a widow, she had a few pieces she’d adapted and Dovie had items, as well. Fern wore a skirt that had been made over to fit her. A black cape was found for both Lily and Rose. Dovie found or made black bonnets for each of the girls. For the boys, they each had a black armband to wear.

Simon felt a touch of pride in them. Though there were more than a few sniffles and tearstained cheeks, the children were, on the whole, well behaved. Mrs. Leggett and her daughter stood with them, and the three adults arranged themselves so that each of the children had an adult close at hand.

Reverend Harper performed the service with as much solemnity and thoughtfulness as if Miss Fredrick had been a longtime member of his congregation. Simon was sure the woman would have been pleased.

Once the service was over and the crowd began to disperse, Mr. Fredrick approached him.

“There is a matter I need to discuss with you.” The man didn’t spare so much as a glance for the children.

“Of course.” Had he changed his mind about the children?

“Perhaps you would accompany me and my wife to the hotel.”

Wondering what this was all about, and more than a little concerned that he wouldn’t like whatever it was, Simon turned to Mrs. Pierce. “Would you and Mrs. Leggett escort the children back to your home. Perhaps help them gather and pack their things for our departure tomorrow.”

At her nod, he turned back to Mr. Fredrick and indicated the man should lead the way.

They strolled to the hotel without a word. When they arrived, Mrs.

Fredrick excused herself and went upstairs to her room. Mr. Fredrick waved toward a pair of chairs in a quiet corner of the lobby.

Impatient to be done with this, Simon leaned forward as soon as he took his seat. “What can I do for you?”

“I’ve gone through all of my sister’s things that you sent over earlier.”

He certainly hadn’t wasted any time. Whatever he was looking for must be pretty important.

“It was just as I figured. Unless it is among the things she sent ahead, which I very much doubt, Georgina didn’t leave a will.”

Simon held his tongue.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.