Memories Wait Alone by Erin Ritch

Author:Erin Ritch [Ritch, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
Publisher: No Wyverns Publishing
Published: 2015-11-21T08:00:00+00:00

VIII

Useless months laid ahead for Cecil. Everyday was always the same struggle, the same horrible life. Natalie was gone. Cecil no longer felt her presence when he left to herd; he no longer saw her eyes shining from within the line of trees. She had touched his life so quickly, yet so strongly, Cecil began to realize he would never recover. But life renews itself in quiet ways, and when Cecil left the village on his horse, his adventure concluded but without a wife, Brixton Deverill broke from him like a departing spirit.

He was not prepared for what lay ahead of him. From his favorite little hill that overlooked his father's house, Cecil stared at the ruins that had once been a great estate. The walls of the house were intact yet glowed from grime and mold. Only a burnt skeleton remained of the stables, a dismal reminder of what had once stood there.

When Cecil arrived at the front door of his former home, he was startled when it suddenly flew open. His sister Anna brushed past Cecil as though he were invisible. Her once young face had matured and was overdone with old makeup.

"Anna!" Cecil called, a smile spreading across his shocked face.

Anna stopped and turned around slowly. She dropped the bag she had been carrying and looked Cecil up and down with shallow eyes. "Cecil," she whispered, giving him a cold hug that almost chilled his spirit.

"What's happened here? What's happened?" Cecil asked desperately.

Anna patted Cecil's face. "Oh, little brother. No one ever told you? You really shouldn't have left," she said hoarsely, sniffing as though she were about to cry, but Cecil saw no tears.

"What?" Cecil demanded.

"Why, he's dead, Cecil. Father, I mean."

"What? Anna, what are talking about?"

"He's dead! How many times must I say it? And I'm off to meet Charles. We're getting married, you know. And not because I love him, but because I want to get out of here! Stay away from Harold, that devil incarnate. Oh, he's evil now, Cecil! You must be careful," Anna pleaded.

Cecil shook his head. "How can he be dead? And Mother...?"

"Oh, it was supposedly an accident. Foolish really. And where is Mother, you ask? She left as fast as she could, taking most of the money with her. Now let me go, Cecil."

He grabbed Anna's arm. "But when did he die? When did she leave?"

"Months and months ago! Let me go!"

"No one came to me! No one!"

"Please, let me go! Please..." Anna sobbed, collapsing to the ground. Cecil released her from his grip and Anna jumped up, grabbing her bag.

"If you have half a mind, you'll not enter that cursed house!" Anna shouted as she stumbled up the hill. She disappeared without another word.

When Cecil had calmed himself, he ventured around the garden grounds. He felt his stomach turn when he spotted a newly painted white cross laying alongside the English roses. He moaned loudly as he read the tombstone. His father was truly dead.

Angrily, Cecil burst into the house.

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