In The Fog of London

The Funeral

Only another few days had passed since Henry visited the shop when a most unfortunate letter was delivered to Kathrine. The wax seal carrying Utterson's crest was black as death and the letter held the following inscription,

Gaunt Street, London.
K. L. Hughes.

It pains me to deliver a most sorrowful letter to you, Lynnie, though it must be done. About a day and a half ago, our dear Dr. Hastie Lanyon passed away in his home after having an unexplainable shock. I visited him in his last days and am sorry to say that I knew it must be coming, as Lanyon himself said he was a dead man. I just hadn't thought it would be so soon. I am filled with grief in writing this and so hope you may attend the burial ceremony this afternoon. I'm sure Jillian and Guinevere would appreciate your being there for support and, I must admit, so would I. May God bless you and those effected by this loss.

Your cheerless brother,
G. J. Utterson

Along with this letter was a slip of paper detailing where the vigil would be held. Though she was not as close with Lanyon as Utterson had been, she felt for dear John and the late doctor's wife and daughter. She felt a lump in her throat and an ache in her heart as she held the letter to her chest and made her way up to her room to prepare for the funeral. She brought out a plain black dress, some black ribbon to tie up her hair, and skipped the full makeup routine for today, only opting to gently dust her cheeks with blush. She checked a small clock which sat on her nightstand, noting the time. She had about an hour and a half before the ceremony. And knew she was within walking distance of the cemetery, though, she decided she'd take a cab as not to spoil her dress, as it dragged rather low, even in her high-heeled boots. Lastly, she made sure her shop was neat and kept and she fetched her black gloves before locking the front door and walking a ways until she was able to hail a carriage, oddly enough, it seemed the cab she waved after was already heading her way and as it pulled up, the door opened from the inside. She climbed in and faced John and Enfeild, who looked very low. "Oh, boys, it's good to see you, despite the circumstances." Kathrine murmured and Enfeild smiled some. "Quite coincidental that we were just on our way to pick you up when you looked like you were waving at the cab driver." The lawyer rumbled, adjusting his gloves, "Did I not write that I'd pick you up?" He added. Kathrine shook her head, "No matter, at least you got here before I'd been carried off by another driver." She tried to joke lightly, but could only get small smiles out of John and his cousin. "Another dingy, sunless day in London," Enfeild sighed, looking out the window, "I do hope it doesn't rain. I haven't brought an umbrella." Utterson lifted a large umbrella at his side, "I've got a big one. Surely the three of us could cram beneath it." He muttered. "I know Jillian and Guinevere must be there, but who else? Doesn't Lanyon have other family?" Kathrine asked softly. Utterson shook his head. "He didn't want his death to be some big affair. Just a private ceremony. Your father sent me a letter saying he would be unable to make it, but offered his condolences." Kathrine nodded in understanding. The rest of the way there, they were silent. The trio exited the carriage with Kathrine clinging to Utterson's arm as they made their way into the cemetery and up to the group of mourners. Guinevere was weeping under her black veil and had a handkerchief held just under her nose. Jillian was standing next to her mother, beside herself and completely unresponsive. Her face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot. She didn't even react to the arrival of the three. A few other people were there, for instance, Lanyon's servants, a few people Kathrine didn't recognize that she assumed must have been clients or other friends, and finally, Enfeild, John, and herself. As a clergyman read the eulogy beside the grave, Kathrine kept close to John, holding onto his arm like a child clings to her father. She did not weep like a few of the mourners, she did not shut down like Jillian, she merely stayed quiet and stoic like John and Enfield and the rest of the men there for the duration of the funeral.
Kathrine expressed her condolences to the Lanyon women when everyone began to depart and made sure to hug Jillian and let the young girl know that her bookstore was always open, should she need the comfort of a friend. With that, she left with John, while Enfield left alone. The two sat in their carriage in silence for a long while until Kathrine spoke, "I'm so sorry about all of this." She said softly, "And I doubly apologize for not saying that sooner." Utterson sighed, "No worries, Lynnie. I understand your detachment, considering you didn't truly know him like we did. I just wanted you there mostly for my sake, however selfish that may be." She smiled subtly, feeling quite touched at what he had said. "I'd be ready to come to any gathering of sorrow if it meant to comfort you, dear brother." She hummed warmly, setting her hand on Utterson's knee. He looked up at her with a look of ease, as if just her words and presence helped heal his grieving heart. "Lanyon might not have been the closest friend I've had, though he is the oldest, much like Henry." The lawyer murmured, staring out the window with a wandering gaze as he watched passersby and bushes and trees and anything that happened to rush past the cab as it rolled down the bumpy cobblestone streets. Kathrine, though, had her mind set on a certain living doctor after John had mentioned his name. "Speaking of which... Weren't Henry and Lanyon old friends as well?" She asked and John nodded. "Why wasn't Henry at the funeral?" He gave her a quizzical look before thinking on it. "You know, I asked Mrs. Lanyon the same thing," he began, "and she said that Hastie wanted nothing more to do with Jekyll. One of his dying wishes was that poor Harry wasn't to be permitted to attend his funeral or burial ceremony. A shame, really." Kathrine was taken aback upon learning of this, raising a hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp or look of shock. "Good gracious, John! How cruel... He must have had his reasons, though, I cannot place what they could have possibly been." She whispered, shaking her head disapprovingly. Utterson nodded, "Harry Jekyll's had his own trials to deal with. I'm sure this falling out with Lanyon has taken a toll. I would see him, but I've work to do." And at those words, Kathrine set it in her mind to visit Dr. Jekyll and perhaps comfort him as well.