Charlock's Secret by Leah Moyes

Author:Leah Moyes
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9798646686467
Published: 2020-06-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-five

Two days later, the magnificent portrait was revealed during tea. I could not take my eyes off of it. As others went about their socializing, I remained entranced in front of the picture. My hand brushed the edges of the gilded frame from side to side. I wanted to touch each brushstroke, each strand of hair, and minute detail but controlled myself. Watching the others as they marveled at the artwork in brief passes, I wanted to shake them. They did not understand how this very masterpiece will touch the hearts of their descendants for many years to come, including thousands of visitors to Charlock.

“Where do you think mother will put it?” Merritt slid up next to me. I cautiously peered around to make sure his beloved was not laser beaming me from the other side of the room. Fortunately, she conversed with her back toward us. I sighed quietly. Not that I couldn’t handle her, it was more about not wanting to deal with her.

“On the landing,” I answered. “She should put it in place of her grandparent’s picture. After all, it’s her house now.”

“Interesting thought, Miss Katharine. That’s precisely what she said.”

I returned his glowing smile. Since the boat ride, the Truth or Dare game, and the electric storm, our friendship reached new heights. Merritt had become much more comfortable around me. Though it was always in the shadow of his fiancé’s reach, it made the whole experience more gratifying.

Later that night, I relaxed on the windowsill watching my favorite pastime play out. The sun would gradually descend, leaving a golden splinter behind and one by one the stars would form above, producing an unparalleled level of peace.

Sometimes, I’d push my cheek against the chilled glass until it went numb, just to remind myself it was real, and I was still real.

The faint sound of a door’s hinges opened and closed. My eyes flickered to the vibration that rippled on the window, then drew downward. I pressed closer in time to see a shadow dash from the house towards the garden.

I ignored the previous two times, but now for a third time, my curiosity got the better of me. I quickly seized my robe and boots, and once assured the hall was clear, I fled down the back stairs. From what I’d seen, I believed Merritt was the culprit. What can be driving him to sneak out late at night and to where? I lit a lantern from the kitchen and stepped out into the cool night air.

By the time I reached the edge of the gardens, his shadow disappeared. The urgency in his departure gave him a distant lead. Lifting the lantern up, I contemplated my next move. While I became familiar with the paths in the daylight, they appeared different at night. The skeletal branches and black hollows were eerily opposite from the bright, inviting trails in my leisure walks.

Knowing full well this was none of my business, I hesitated. Do I have the courage to keep looking? Then pursued under intrigue.

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