Page 76 of The Vanished

“Too cold for my liking.”

“It is the end of December,” Geneva reminded her.

“It’s milder in London.”

“No doubt.”

Geneva finished her breakfast, drank the last of her tea, and wished her aunt a good morning. Honor and Rose were just on their way down to breakfast. Their faces shone with anticipation when they spotted the tree, and Geneva reminded herself that, despite their protestations to the contrary, when it came to Christmas, they were still children and deserved to be happy, even if only for a day or two. Real life would reassert itself soon enough.

“Good morning,” Geneva said cheerfully.

“Good morning,” Rose replied. “Can we go ice-skating after we decorate the tree?”

Geneva felt a chill when she recalled her dream, but refused to give in to baseless fear. It was only natural that she would have bad dreams, given the turmoil of recent weeks. There was no reason to think anyone would get hurt, and it was cold enough for the pond to be frozen solid since it was hardly more than a shallow pool.

“There are skates in the mudroom. I think Jack’s skates should fit you, Rose.”

“Won’t you come with us?” Rose asked.

“I don’t think so. I have too much to do.”

“We can ask Jesse to join us,” Honor suggested slyly. “He wears about the same size as Father.”

“I bet he can skate beautifully,” Rose said. “He’s so fit.”

“Yes, of course you should invite him,” Geneva said. “I’m sure he would enjoy it.”

Honor looked a bit deflated, and Geneva thought her sister had been intentionally trying to bait her. She supposed she should be grateful Honor hadn’t mentioned Rory. That would have made Geneva angry, but she once again reminded herself that she intended to remain in good spirits.

Not today, she thought as she started up the stairs. Not today, Honor, she repeated as she knocked on her father’s door.

FORTY-FIVE

Her father was in bed, his gaunt face ashen against the snow-white linen of the pillowcases and his body strangely childlike in the vast four-poster. Dennison was nowhere to be seen, presumably since Douglas wouldn’t be getting up and didn’t need help getting dressed. Nurse Jeffries sat by the bed, her pale fingers loosely wrapped around Douglas’s wrist as she took his pulse. Her father looked so ill and diminished, Geneva’s heart swelled with sorrow and love for this man, who, even in his final weeks, couldn’t enjoy the peace of mind afforded by the knowledge that his children would be safe and well provided for. He was trying desperately to hold on until he could be sure, when another man would have let go by now.

“Can I get you anything, Father?” Geneva asked. “You should eat,” she added when she noticed that the breakfast tray had yet to be brought up.

“I will. But first, I would like to speak to you.” He turned to the nurse, who had retreated into a corner to give them a few moments of privacy.

“If you would please excuse us, Gladys,” he said and tried to smile. “I’d like to speak to my daughter.”

The nurse got to her feet and smiled back. She was pretty when she allowed her stern façade to crack even a little. “Of course. I’ll just nip down to the kitchen and fetch your breakfast, my lord.”

“Thank you, Gladys. You’re very kind. Please, have some breakfast yourself. I am really not that hungry, and am happy to wait.”

Nurse Jeffries nodded and left the room without another word. Douglas patted the side of the bed, and Geneva sat down. He reached for her hand, and when he wrapped his fingers around hers his skin was cool and papery, the hand as insubstantial as that of a specter. Geneva recalled a time when her father had been healthy and strong, and when she had felt safe and reassured at the touch of his hand. Now he sought reassurance from her.

“Genny, please hear me out before you say anything,” Douglas began.

His voice was so soft, she had to move a little closer to hear what he was about to say.

“I don’t have much time, and trying to hold on will only prolong everyone’s suffering.”

“Father,” Geneva began, but he shook his head, and she went silent.

“Please, let me finish.” Geneva nodded, and he went on. “I need to know that you will be looked after once I’m gone. Both of you. I have instructed Mr. Lefferts to make arrangements for Honor. She will join Rose at Château Mont-Choisi for two years, and then, once she leaves school, she will reside with Clarissa in London, where she will be introduced to society. Clarissa promised to chaperone Honor until she is married.”

“I have been thinking exactly the same thing about sending Honor to school with Rose, but why leave her with Clarissa?” Geneva cried. “Surely I can be trusted to look after my own sister.”