Page 48 of Wicked Queen

“He didn’t.” It was time for a change of subject. “Are you enjoying your time in London?”

“Usually, I enjoy London, but my mother is not…”

“So, you’re not?” I guessed.

“It is the lot of the caretaker, I suppose. The weather doesn’t seem to suit her.” He waved at the lingering fog that had descended mid-afternoon.

“She never had issues here before. She seemed quite capable.” At least, she’d been capable of giving a tongue lashing. She’d had no problem making sneering, derisive remarks to me ever since I’d known her.

“I’m afraid her health is failing, and she’s grown quite forgetful, although that isn’t stopping her from being as demanding as ever,” he added conspiratorially with a slight smile. “But it is hard. She left one of her medications—for her heart—at home and insists that we go to the doctor there. She won’t allow me to call the doctors here and pick up a new one. I don’t think she likes being seen as dependent on anyone. Who can blame her for feeling that way?”

“I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Call them and you can pick it up from me after. Then just slip it in her bag and she’ll find it. Save her pride,” I suggested.

“You’re an angel,” Henry said with a laugh.

“I don’t feel like much of an angel,” I said.

“Well, a devious one, but I like it. You’ll need wits to survive this life.”

“I know,” I said softly.

“Trouble adjusting to all the changes?” he asked sympathetically. “I’ve wanted to come by, but I thought it best to give you some time to adjust. I wasn’t sure Sarah would be ready for company.”

“It’s strange to have her in our lives.”

“And living in your home,” he added. “That must be difficult.”

“It’s not that we mind,” I began dutifully.

“But you do,” he stopped me. “That’s completely normal, Clara. You’re young. You have a family. Alexander sprang this on you. I don’t understand why he kept it from you.”

“You knew, didn’t you?” I asked him. “You told me about the estates. You pointed me in her direction.”

“Alexander, much like Albert, is his own worst enemy. When I realized you didn’t know, I knew it was only a matter of time before you found out and the longer you went without knowing…”

“The angrier I would be.” He wasn’t wrong about that. No one could have guessed that Sarah would wake up and make the need for honesty timely.

“When I heard she woke up, I felt terrible. It wasn’t my place to say anything.”

“You were trying to save Alexander from himself.” It was a trait the people who loved him seemed to share.

“I am sorry you found out that way.”

“You were right.” I realized he’d gotten the wrong idea. “I needed to know, and at least Sarah wasn’t alone when she woke up.”

“Alexander told me he thought it was you who brought her back. He said you were light that always guided him out of darkness and you must have done the same for her.”

“He never told me that,” I admitted.

“Then I’m glad I did, because you should know how he feels,” Henry said. “How is she adjusting?”

“I assume you’ve seen the papers. She’s the life of London.”

“I was trying to be delicate,” he confessed.

“She’s sixteen, but it’s not her world anymore. Everything has changed and grown but her. I didn’t know what to expect. I suppose I still don’t, but I’m worried about her.” I spilled this to him because I’d been bottling it up since the night I’d tucked her into bed three sheets to the wind.

“Give her time,” he advised. “Have you considered…” He trailed off as his mother strolled up to us.