Silent Elms: One woman's grief could cause a house to fall by Heather Atkinson

Author:Heather Atkinson [Atkinson, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

The next thing Lily knew, daylight was sliding through the chink in the heavy curtains, which was an enormous relief.

Once again, the cold light of day made the nocturnal visitation seem foolish, like the bad dream she’d professed it to be and already the power of it was fading. She considered how she’d asked James to help her and miraculously she’d fallen asleep despite being wide awake with fear. Lily smiled. Perhaps he had answered her prayer after all.

After dressing, Lily went downstairs for breakfast. Edgar was eating in his room, Cyril, Annabella and Henrietta had gone out and Simon and Henry were still in bed, so she had the dining room to herself. She enjoyed a serene breakfast before retiring to the cosy sitting room to continue with her embroidery, making the most of the peace and quiet. This went a long way to restoring her spirits. It also gave her time to consider what she should do about her current situation, whether to mention the visitations to Edgar or maybe even seek the opinion of a doctor, but it all seemed so ridiculous that she decided against both options. The looming shadow of the asylum was another reason to remain silent on the issue.

Edgar entered the sitting room later that morning, still walking stiffly with the aid of his stick. It was clear he was in pain but he forced a carefree smile for Lily.

‘Hello, my dear,’ he said. ‘You have some colour back in your cheeks.’

‘Thank you, I feel so much better. I had a wonderful sleep last night.’ Well, it was partially true.

‘I’m very glad to hear it.’

‘I think perhaps half my trouble is that I’ve not been sleeping very well.’

‘Dr Beaton did mention sleep deprivation to me. He may be a country doctor but he’s just as clever as any to be found in the city. Let’s hope that’s an end to it all then.’

‘You don’t look too well yourself. You’re limping and you don’t usually take breakfast in bed.’

‘I was kept up late by my damned rheumatism. It’s playing merry hell with my legs right now,’ he said, sinking back into the couch with a grimace. ‘I’ll spend the day here by the fire. It’s all this snow, the cold sneaks into every nook and cranny. Sometimes I feel this big old pile is just a burden, there’s always something that needs repairing. It would be wonderful to have a cosy little cottage where just a few fires warm every corner of the building.’

‘That does sound nice but this is a beautiful home.’

‘As well as a millstone around my neck.’

‘I’ve never heard you speak like this about Silent Elms before. You love this house.’

‘I do, I’m just tired and in pain. I need someone to lift the burden of the estate from me.’

‘I hope you’re not referring to me?’

‘You’re the hope of this house.’

‘I believe that’s your sons, of which you have three to choose from.’

‘They’re all useless.’

‘I think Simon would do an excellent job if he could control his wild ways and Cyril would be a safe pair of hands.

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