Read Online Anne Barbour by Kateand the Soldier - Free Book Online

he had imagined it. But, the whisper came once more.
    “David. You’re—here. Glad—”
    “Don’t force him to speak, David.” The voice was Regina’s, sharper than he’d ever heard it. “He’s ill enough already.”
    David did not so much as look at her, but spoke softly to his father.
    “Don’t try to talk, Father. Just rest now. We’ll speak later.”
    A spasm crossed the sick man’s face.
    “No. No time.” Again, his mouth worked in an effort to speak. “Davey—must tell you—I’ve made it all right. Did a terrible thing—but now ...”
    “Hush, Father. You must not tire yourself.”
    Suddenly, Thomas’s eyes flew open, and for an instant, David recognized in him the vigorous man who had bade him good-bye six years ago.
    “David—take care of...”
    The words were a mere murmur, and now his eyes closed for the last time. Thomas drew a long, shuddering breath, and was still.
    It seemed to Kate that the next few days passed in a suspended blur. She had little to do with Thomas’s funeral arrangements, except to see that everything was made ready for the guests who would soon arrive for the obsequies. Regina managed the details of the service and interment with her usual efficiency.
    Kate knew that Lady Falworth truly mourned her husband’s passing. For months she had sat by his side, uncomplaining, performing the most menial tasks for him with her own hands and setting aside her own pleasures to see to his comfort. She displayed, however, few outward signs of the depth to which she felt her loss. Only her reddened eyes and the sounds of distress that emanated from her room at night indicated the dimensions of her grief.
    But, of all the family, Kate’s heart went out to David. To her utter disbelief, Thomas’s last words had scarcely died away when Regina uttered a harsh order, seconded by Lawrence, that David leave the room. Glancing about in a dazed fashion, David had departed, silent as a shadow, and Kate had run from the chamber after him.
    “It doesn’t matter, my dear,” he replied gently in answer to her storm of indignation at his treatment. “There is nothing she can say anymore that matters one whit.”
    The next day was a confused blur, and dinner the following evening was an unrelieved disaster. Regina sat silent, staring at the empty chair at the head of the table, and eating little. Lawrence, on the other hand, made a good meal, interspersed with comments on the correct attire to be displayed at the funeral by the males of the family. To these, Cilia and Crawford listened with a marked lack of attention. Aunt Fred, to Kate’s disappointment, had remained in her room with a tray. The only other persons at the table were David and Lucius, who conducted their own muted conversation.
    “I shall have to have black tassels for my boots, of course,” Lawrence was saying, waving his fork in punctuation. “Silver won’t do at all. Don’t know if I can procure any in Bath, and it’s too late to order any on such short notice. Perhaps...”
    “Curse it, Lawrence,” interrupted Crawford at last. “Can’t you think about anything except your wretched wardrobe? Is that all Father’s death means to you—a chance to rig out?”
    “But,” replied Lawrence in affronted surprise, “merely showing Father the respect due him, don’cher know. I mean, how would it look to show up at his services dressed just anyhow? Like David,” he finished with a sniff.
    David, hearing his name, turned to face Lawrence.
    “Beg pardon?” he asked mildly.
    “Lawrence was just expressing the hope that you won’t disgrace the family by showing up at Father’s funeral dressed— just anyhow,” responded Crawford dryly.
    “Crawford, for heaven’s sake,” interjected Regina in a taut voice. She bent an icy stare on David. “Lawrence was talking of trivialities merely to take his mind off his sorrow, I’m sure. Be that as it may, perhaps we should discuss what you will wear, since you obviously