A Final Rest by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-09T05:00:00+00:00

10

Aunt Augusta’s body had been removed from the grass and taken back to the police station, but everyone seemed keen to avoid the back garden, anyway. Guests sat on the front porch or paced along the path in front of Ridgewick Hall, but most of them remained indoors entirely. The house, which the day before had been filled with talk and laughter, felt eerily silent.

“This death is going to cast a shadow over the entire event,” Catherine said.

Lord and Lady Ashton, Catherine and Charles, and Alice and I had all gathered in one of the sitting rooms. As soon as I arrived, Lady Ashton asked a servant to pull the doors shut and leave so we could discuss matters. I didn’t know what there was to discuss until I saw Catherine’s face, her red, puffy eyes and damp cheeks.

“Everything is ruined,” she said, squeezing Charles’ hand until I thought he would cry out in pain. “This was supposed to be a celebration, and now it is a wake.”

“It is not a wake,” Lady Ashton insisted. “Most of our guests didn’t even know Aunt Augusta. And those who did didn’t know her well enough to mourn. Nicholas Whitlock is the only exception.”

Catherine snorted through a sob. “The most important exception. He hasn’t stopped crying for hours.”

“The wound is fresh,” Alice said, defending him. “He lost someone very close to him.”

Catherine wiped her hands across her cheeks and sniffled, sitting tall. She had never been an overly emotional woman, but it seemed the stress of the last few days had finally become overwhelming. I could not blame her.

“I understand that,” Catherine said. “But that does not mean I want his time of mourning to interfere with my wedding day.”

“There are more important things than your wedding, Catherine.” Alice said her sister’s name like an insult.

“Girls,” Lady Ashton warned before the argument could escalate. She turned briefly to Lord Ashton, but he was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought. She sighed and looked back to her daughters. “Emotions are high right now, but I truly believe things will calm down and the wedding will carry on unscathed.”

“How?” Catherine asked. “A woman died.”

“A woman no one cared for to begin with,” Alice said, momentarily switching sides to comfort her sister.

Lady Ashton frowned and shook her head at Alice, though she did not disagree with her. It was hard to deny the truth of her statement. Aunt Augusta had made little effort to socialize or be friendly towards the other wedding guests. Even her own family knew very little about her beyond the fact that she was a wealthy shut-in who often accused others of thievery.

“That may be true, but there are other problems beyond the death,” Catherine said.

“Such as?” Lady Ashton asked.

Catherine twisted her lips to the side in thought and then pointed to her fiancé. “Charles Barry will not stop trying to insult Charles. I have not spoken to him in almost a year, but he acts like he is moments away from calling a duel for my honor.

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