Read Online General Well'ngone In Love by Libi Astaire - Free Book Online Page A

It saved
your brother’s life.”
    The little group was silent for several
moments, as they contemplated the mysterious ways of
Hashem—“Hashem” being one of the Jews’ names for God. For it is He
who holds the secrets of Nature in His Hand, to both destroy and
save, harm and heal.
    “ And what about Lord
Liverwood?” asked Miss Lyon, recalling the other person who had
been harmed by this incident. “He has been released, I
hope.”
    Mr. Melamed shifted uneasily in his chair.
“I have left that to Mr. Horace Barnstock. In exchange for my
silence regarding his son’s role in this matter, he assured me he
will do everything in his power to ensure that Lord Liverwood is
transported safely to his home in Kent.”
    “ Cannot we bring charges
against Mr. Lennox?” asked Mrs. Lyon. “I should think that
abducting the child would be a crime.”
    “ It is,” agreed Mr.
Melamed. “But for the time being, Mr. Lennox has disappeared,
probably to the Continent. We can only hope and pray that he stays
far away from Lord Liverwood, and us, for a very long
time.”
    They continued to discuss the day’s events
until it was time for supper. Mr. Melamed declined the invitation
to dine at Devonshire Square. Although outwardly he appeared to be
his usual calm and dignified self, he too had been shaken by all
that had occurred and now he wished for the quiet of his own home.
However, Miss Krinkle stopped him before he could go.
    “ Mr. Melamed, thank you
for all that you have done.”
    “ I am only thankful that
your brother was found alive and well.”
    “ Tell me, Mr. Melamed, do
you think Berel would be better off in an orphanage?”
    “ No, I believe a child is
always better off at home, if he has one—a true home.”
    Miss Krinkle removed a letter that had been
secured inside her sleeve. “I received this letter from my aunt, my
mother’s sister, on the day that Berel disappeared. It seems my
father wrote to her, after he realized how ill he was. She says she
and her husband would be most willing to take us in, if we would
like to join them in the West Indies. Should we go?”
    “ You must make that
decision, Miss Krinkle. But it does seem that this was your
father’s wish.”
    “ It was also my father’s
wish that Berel should receive a proper Jewish education. I do not
know if that will be possible in my aunt’s home.”
    “ I think the community
will be able to purchase some books for Berel to take with him. And
we will not let you go penniless, Miss Krinkle. You may tell your
aunt and uncle that at least part of the money should be used for
Berel’s education. Discuss it with your brother, when he is feeling
better, and let me know what you decide.”
     
    Mr. Lyon and Miss Rebecca Lyon accompanied
Sarah and Berel Krinkle to the coaching inn, the first stage of
their long journey to the West Indies. Mr. Melamed, who had also
come to the inn to see the Krinkles off, had found a Jewish family
that was making the same voyage, and the parents agreed to take the
two Krinkle children under their wing.
    Although Rebecca and Sarah had not known
each other for long, they shed many tears when it was time to say
goodbye. Misfortune had bound them together in a way that happier
times often cannot.
    While the trunks were being loaded on top of
the coach, Mr. Melamed spotted a familiar bicorne hat in the
crowd.
    “ If you wish to say
goodbye, General, now is the time.”
    He brought the General over to Miss Krinkle,
and then found an excuse to call away the attention of the
others.
    “ I have not yet had the
chance to properly thank you, General,” said the young lady. “My
brother and I will always be grateful.”
    “ It was my pleasure to be
of service, Miss Krinkle.”
    They stood in an awkward silence for a few
moments. Then the General remembered what he wished to say.
    “ I do not know if we will
ever meet again, Miss Krinkle, so I was hoping you might accept
this.” He placed the volume he had bought on the