A Solitary Candle: An Historical Romance Novella by Avril Borthiry

Author:Avril Borthiry [Borthiry, Avril]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical, anthology
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-07-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Friday, 24 December, 1819 AD

Aldous paused at the oak tree and looked back toward Highfield. What was it about that blasted house? Once again, his experience there had been profound, linking him inexorably to its ancient walls and those who lived within. While some ghosts had been put to rest, others had manifested. And Grace Thackeray, it seemed, still occupied his heart.

“No escape, Aldous,” he murmured, urging his horse onward. “No escape.”

His unexpected arrival at Northcott Manor created quite a stir. Again, for some unfathomable reason, he never mentioned Highfield. Only that the coach had been delayed, and with it, his luggage.

His godfather, in particular, was delighted to see him, and later that afternoon, when the other guests were napping, herded Aldous into his study.

“There’s something I’d like you to do for me before I die, Aldous,” he said. “Sit, please.”

Frowning, Aldous did as bidden. “I hope you’re not going to die anytime soon, Uncle. What is it you want?”

Percival settled into his chair and cleared his throat. “The truth.”

“About what?”

“About Highfield.”

Aldous’ mouth went dry. “What about Highfield?”

“You were there, Aldous. The summer of 1798.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I saw Frederick Thackeray at his wife’s funeral the week after you left, and he mentioned it. I had to pretend I knew, because you never spoke of it. Why? What happened back then? I know something did. Your lies might have worked with your parents, but not with me.”

Aldous stood and went to the window. “It’s not important.”

“Then tell me about it.”

“Why?”

“Because whatever it was, it changed you. You never came back here, for one thing. What were you afraid of?”

Aldous turned to face his uncle. “It’ll sound foolish.”

“I once told you I’d never judge you. That still holds true.”

Aldous chuckled. “The odd thing is, I made a discovery two days ago that has changed everything.”

“Tell me, Aldous.”

He sat down again. “How long do you have?”

“As long as it takes.”

For the first time since it all happened, Aldous shared every detail of those two days, and the subsequent effects they’d had on his life. He even shared the truth about his injury and topped it all off with his recent remarkable discovery at Highfield.

“That’s it,” he said, feeling lighter somehow but cursing the lump in his throat. “That’s everything.”

Percival regarded him for a moment and then rose to his feet. “You have to stop this, Aldous.”

“Stop what?”

“Keeping things to yourself. It’s harmful.” He grimaced. “And you have to marry Grace Thackeray.”

Aldous laughed. “I told you, I’m not marrying anyone. And I told you why.”

“Yes, you did,” he said, heading for the door. “But I still say marry the girl. She’s meant for you. Oh, and by the way, when I do eventually die, this house is yours.”

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