Shadows

XVII

The sad day finally arrived when Grayson left for Oxford. His trunk sat in the grand hall, waiting to load onto the carriage, and we all stood around him, waiting to say goodbye. Tears welled in my eyes. I clasped my lace handkerchief in a ball in my palm. My tears soaked it.

Papa cleared his throat noisily, and we turned our attention toward him. Stepping up to Grayson, he clutched his arm and pulled him into a manful embrace. My brother would not return home until the Christmas holidays.

"You are about to take one of the greatest steps of your life, my boy," Papa stated gruffly. "Concentrate fully upon your studies and bring pride to your family. We are depending upon you."

Joel shifted uneasily and, reaching out, grasped Charlotte's hand. He realized Papa's advice to Grayson was an admonition against him. The abruptness of his expulsion from the university rankled our father. Often, Papa covertly mentioned his disappointment that Joel let him down. He expected a better result from Grayson.

The coachman came in for the trunk and carried it away. Mr. Blanchard lifted his valise and followed. Grayson's face turned ashen, and, for a moment, I thought he would flee back upstairs. An uncontrollable sob escaped my lips, causing me to break down completely.

"We had better make a break for it, Gray," Mr. Blanchard stated encouragingly. He stood shadowed in the doorframe. "The longer we delay, the harder the departure."

"Yes, I suppose," my middle brother responded, tentatively. Stepping in front of me, he hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. "I'll write to you every day, Prissy, I promise. I'll tell you everything that happens so you will think you are right there with me."

"Thank you, Gray," I muttered, drawing back my tears. A slight smile crept across my face. "I'll write back and tell you all the happenings at Everstow."

"Come along, Grayson," Mr. Blanchard prompted impatiently.

Hurrying after his tutor, my brother turned at the door for one last wave, and then he disappeared. I felt my heartbreak at that final moment and burst into tears.

"I can hardly see what the fuss is about," Lottie's penetrating voice echoed throughout the great hall. "It's not like he's sailing for China. He's only going as far as Oxford. It's not the end of the world."

Silence invaded the ample space. All eyes turned toward Joel's wife. Despite our sudden animosity toward her, Lottie berated me for acting foolishly over Grayson's departure.

"It's about time you two broke the invisible strings between you," Charlotte continued without heeding Papa's glare. "You don't see me wailing over my family. I'm glad to get away from them, quite honestly. I've stepped up in my life, leaving them behind."

Silently, I turned away and headed toward the stairs. Papa strode toward his office, leaving Joel and his wife in the hall.

"What?" Lottie's voice followed me. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I? What's wrong with the truth?"

I paused at the top of the stairs and looked down upon my sister-in-law. She turned her face up to me and stared blankly. Her lips compressed into a thin line of contempt.

"You have no heart," I shouted down at her. "No compassion. You are cruel and thoughtless."

Suddenly, Charlotte lifted her skirt and ran toward the stairs. Like a cyclone, she rushed toward me, her yellow curls bobbing against her shoulder. I drew back from the banister, frightened by the menace in her eyes.

Joel followed his wife quickly and, grabbing her arm, halted her. Lottie turned on him and tried to push him away. Overpowering her, he forced her to face him.