Sky Pirates

Chapter 62

Dinner concluded, the men went into the library for brandy, and the women entered the drawing room for coffee.

Cole watched Horatio, who had never been in the room before; his friend walked around, sipped his brandy, and looked at the books and souvenirs that crowded all the walls. He avoided eye contact with both Cole and his father. On every surface was an object from some wonderful place in the world. "May I speak to you?"

"Of course," said Cole, still focused on the decanter.

"Father, would you mind if I spoke to Cole, alone?"

Mr. Wickliffe looked at the boys. "Of course. I'll see what the women are up to and maybe get Miss Mildred to play something for us." As he spoke, in a quiet voice, he left the room.

As the door closed behind Mr. Wickliffe, Cole and Horatio, still standing close to one another, moved into the arms of the other and kissed. It was a soft, easy kiss that lasted through eons and spoke volumes.

"Ahem," said Mildred politely.

Cole and Horatio broke off their embrace, yet neither, in that moment, felt or showed any signs of remorse. That kiss bonded them together. Without words or knowledge, they knew that they were a couple and would have to face the consequences of that decision. Yet, it was a decision, as unspoken as it was, that contained all the joy, love, and the weight of the world rolled into one.

"What?" Cole asked of his sister. He wasn't angry or upset, but resolved to the fate that her words, posture, and accusations might bring. It was a small sound, the "what" that he spoke.

Mildred closed the door behind her and moved to them. "Please, let's sit for a moment."

The boys did as instructed.

She removed the snifter from her brother's hand and took a small sip of the liquid in an attempt to steady herself. Cole watched her and wondered what she was up to. As he waited for her, the tower clock struck the hour of nine. He liked that there was now a demarcation of time in their lives. He liked that he had found the solution to the clock's...he remembered that it really wasn't him that had fixed the clock. Well, he had put the pieces in their correct places, but it had been his sister who had solved the problem. Cole wanted to cry and the look was so upsetting to Horatio that he took up Cole's hand into his own to comfort him. He wanted to explain to Horatio what had him so upset, but remained silent.

"I have found a solution of sorts to our trouble," she began.

"Our trouble?" asked Cole. "What do you know of all of this? What trouble is it of yours?" His anger began to rise. He hated that he was so often angry and out of sorts. Yet, there it was.

"Dear Brother, I know a great deal about what we're all going through, even though you and I haven't spoken directly about any of it. I wanted to talk to you at lunch today, but you were so horrible to me, I decided to wait until tonight."

Cole dropped his head down along with the barrier he'd been creating between them for a reason he himself didn't really understand.

"Now, I don't have much time. I have to get back to the drawing room before they wonder what has happened to me."

"Go on," said Horatio, still braced against Cole on the leather sofa.

"I know that you two are in love. It's obvious now if it wasn't before. And, I think it's wonderful, even if the rest of the world might not." She looked at them. Horatio was urging her forward with his eyes; Cole's focus was on Horatio; at the sign of negative reaction he would end this conversation with his nosy sister. "I have found great friendship toward Miss Wickliffe." That statement caused Cole's head to rise and then tilt slightly to the right like a dog hearing a sound in the distance.

Horatio's eyes sparkled while a smile broadened his handsome face. "I knew it. I knew something was up with her." He seemed pleased with himself at discovering the cause of his sister's recent spark in happiness and joy.

"While not love and romance such as yours, I care for her with the great affection of sisterhood. So, I've come up with a grand solution that just might keep us all together, keep you and your family from having to leave. Now, I don't yet have a good solution for the hunter, but we'll cross that bridge when it's built."

"Oh, get on with it," barked Cole.

Mildred sighed. "If I'm to tell you this solution and play my part in it, I must ask you, Cole, to start being a bit nicer to me. You've been horrible the past few weeks and it's getting the better of my nerves, for I certainly haven't done anything to you to warrant such dreadful treatment from you."

The room was eerily silent.

Finally, Cole spoke: "I'm sorry, please continue." His voice was soft and once again resolved to whatever fate might bring him.

"Now, I haven't yet had a chance to share this idea with Edith. But, here goes. I propose that...that for appearances only....that it look as if I am betrothed to Horatio, and you, Cole, are courting Edith. That will give us all the opportunity to spend as much time with each other in any combination that we desire." Mildred wanted more brandy, but refrained from disturbing her brother until he'd processed what she'd just said.

"Brilliant!" exclaimed Horatio. He looked to Cole for his response.

"I don't want to woo Miss Wickliffe." His tone was sullen, and he looked as if he'd burst into tears at any moment.

"You won't actually be courting her, Cole," chastised Mildred. "It will only be for appearances sake. If we are out in public or entertaining. In front of their parents and town people. If it appears that the four of us are romantically aligned as couples, as the expected male-female couples, no one will question you spending time with Horatio or me spending time with my future sister, Edith. We will, however, have to be discreet about your...romantic endeavors."

"It's brilliant, Cole, don't you see?" prodded Horatio.

The smile that formed on Cole's face was like the clouds parting and sun reappearing. "Oh..." was all he said.

"Do you think your sister will play along?" Mildred asked.

"I don't see why not. Cole is a handsome boy, and our parents keep pushing her to find someone nice to become engaged to. She's of that age, as are you, Miss Mildred."

Mildred's demeanor became playful. "If we're to be engaged, Mr. Wickliffe, I suggest you start calling me Mildred." She laughed.

"Mildred," he said and then turned to Cole, placing a hand on his friend's knee. "This will work, and we can be together forever. Don't you see? If we marry each other's sisters and live together in the same house, only the servants will know."

"The servants? That's why this won't work," said Cole, falling back into his dejection.

"That's another bridge to cross later," chastised Mildred. "Cole, why can't you just go with this, work with this for a few moments." Mildred stood up. "I really do have to go back to the parlor. Please, join us in there in a few minutes. I'm going to play the piano."

"What about the difference in our class distinction," Cole offered.

Mildred dropped her voice to a barely audible whisper, "Cole, we are new money. Father has bought his title and all of these trappings." Mildred raised her arm and took in the room. "No one will speak any more ill of us than they already do."

Horatio stood up and reached out for Mildred's raised hand. He caught her a little off guard which caused an uncomfortable laugh to escape her lips. Electricity shot through her at his touch. Other than a few kind handshakes and pats, he'd never touched her. She liked the feel of his hand now grasping hers to hold her in place. Horatio smiled at her warmly. "Thank you, Mildred." He boldly kissed her cheek, which caused her to flush.

"You're welcome." Sheheld his eyes for a long moment. "Now, bring him along." She tried to releaseher hand from her captor, but he held her a beat longer before allowing her fingersto slip out of his own. Mildred glided out of the room as quietly as she hadentered, leaving the boys behind to discuss their new fate.