Algernon Black

(Chapter 152) A Mother's Plan

Mrs. Black had overseen the preparations for a fabulous meal. She was sure it was so as it was her tried and perfected split pea soup—so she wondered why her son and their guest seemed to eat as if it was their last meal before the gallows.

"Did you see Edia in town?" Cecilia asked in an attempt to spark conversation.

Algernon toyed about with his soup lifelessly. "Yes."

"Well, that's good," Mrs. Black declared, after gaining no additional input. "She's been asking about your health the entire time you've been gone."

"Right." Algernon murmured as Mrs. Black noticed that, unlike any other time her son was in the room with Lucy, he didn't steal glances at their guest, but avoided her as if the mere sight of her induced him great pain.

"And did you enjoy going into town, Lucy?" Mrs. Black questioned, grasping for any conversation.

"Yes, it was beautiful," Lucy said, trying to be upbeat—though her heart wasn't in it.

Mrs. Black wiped before fauxly coughing. "Yes, it is a quite beautiful little town. The people are the best part, however."

Lucy imagined life in the way Algernon must have grown up—surrounded by the vigor of the village. It made her envious; and it made her sad to know she wouldn't get to experience that ardor again. "I agree."

Lucy's sudden declining disposition furthered Mrs. Black confusion.

"Lady Black," Hanagin said as the saving grace of interruptions. "We have a visitor."

Algernon and Lucy both looked to the butler and then to each other with hearts plunging.

Mrs. Black reined in a grin as she stood. "And who could that be?"

A sudden lurch in Lucy's chest had her heart in her lungs as she wondered if Jared had arrived. But her throat choked on her excitement when she realized what that would mean. She turned to Algernon to see him immobilized and staring down at his plate, refusing to make eye contact.

"Should we go too?" Lucy asked as the air grew too grave to breathe.

Algernon only nodded. Lucy left first. He walked behind, staring at her back like he was following a guard to the gallows.

When they rounded to the entrance Algernon grew erratic with the thought of Lucy gone and reached for her arm. But he came up short, too when Lucy turned the corner. Algernon paused to swallow his anguish before following suit.

Mrs. Black stepped aside to make way for a guest to step further into their house. "Thank you so much Mrs. Engrhim."

"Oh, no thanks needed dear!" An older woman cheered, dressed in layers of wool  needed to combat the cold winter night. "I had heard Algernon had come to town but missed him earlier. And I didn't know when he'd be off again, so I thought I'd stop by to drop him off my lemon tarts he's so found of for his birthday." The long-time acquaintance of the Black family held out a bright yellow pastry to Algernon who in a reaction from such sudden relief of grief, laughed.

"It looks absolutely amazing, Mrs. Engrhim." Algernon took the dessert and kissed her redden cheeks to the immense surprise of everyone. Cecilia spectacled the cause of his bipolar behavior, and figured it had something to do with Lucy looking quite a bit happier too.

"Do come in Mrs. Engrhim, and Mr. Engrhim," Mrs. Black said, recalling the proper courtesies of which to treat their guest. "I insist."

"Well, all right." The couple comfortably crept into the grand foyer where they immediately began a conversation with Mrs. Black about the current buzz of the town. Hanagin had set off in a flight for champagne and flutes.