The Lost Legacy

Chapter 2 Finlay

We finally arrived at the mansion which we call home. The place Adeline and I had grown up, trying to solve the puzzles and riddles our fathers had left unattended. My father Arthur, and Adeline's father Christopher had recently promised me a place in Bennett and Blyth's Detective Agency. It had always been a dream of mine to join them in the office, even if all I amounted to was an assistant, I wouldn't have minded. But now, I couldn't imagine leaving Adeline alone at Nellbrooke boarding school. I know what disgusting things the boys at my lunch table say about her, it takes all my self control not to punch them in the face. For so long I only saw Adeline as nothing but a friend, as someone to annoy and provoke. But now. something's changed, I look at her another way. A way I know I shouldn't think of her in.

We entered the mansion, and were greeted by the sound of small feet running along the freshly polished hard wood floors.

"Adeline!" Screamed Grace, my seven year old sister. She always had a liking towards Adeline, she was like an older sister to her, someone she could tell her deepest darkest secrets to. Someone who would never judge her, Adeline would never judge anyone, it's one of her greatest values.

"Gracie!" Adeline shouted in response, running towards her, before picking her up from the ground and spinning her in circles. "I missed you so much!" Adeline exclaimed, pushing a stray blonde curl behind the little girls ear.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. Away from Adeline. Not until I noticed my mother gliding down the grand staircase in a sleek pale pink dress which fell just below her knee.

"Adeline! Finlay!" She exclaimed. "You're home!" Her voice was angelic, which perfectly matched her delicate figure. Adeline immediately ran towards her with open arms.

"Eliza-" was all she could manage to say before my mother pulled her into a tight hug. She took pity on Adeline after she lost her own mother. It was rather predictable of her to take Adeline in as her own. My mother had grown up with Rose, they were best friends, just like Christopher and my father. My mother and Rose were pregnant around the same time with Adeline and I, she was the most kindest, caring and pleasant person I had ever met. Sometimes I feel like my father doesn't deserve her.

"Is Arthur home yet?" I asked, interrupting the hug that felt as if it could have lasted forever.

"Your father has already left for Moscow to meet Chris, sorry honey." She emphasised the word 'father' for a reason.

"He said he was leaving tomorrow," I stated, "we talked over phone earlier today." I could feel my voice shaking with every word I spoke.

"I'm sorry darling," she stated in her usual blissful tone, "he left about an hour ago." I wasn't sure how to react to this. My father had always cancelled plans with me for his work. To him, work will always come first, and family will always be second.

In the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Adeline. Her face painted with sympathy. Sympathy for me. Adeline had made it clear that she will always be there for me, and I hope she knows that I will do the same for her.

"I suppose you two want to be getting cleaned up about now," this was her elegant way of telling us we look sloppy. "Maddison says dinner will be served in twenty minutes." Maddison is the cook, her personality nearly as sweet as the brownies Adeline and I steal on a weekly basis.

We watched my mother glide off to the living room. As soon as she was out of ear shot Adeline and I shot off racing up the grand staircase like cars on a track. This was a tradition for us, whoever won got the privilege of picking the movie for after tea. Adeline always won, and to be completely honest, I let her. There are few things better than seeing her glistening smile after winning. The way her dimples form and her lips curve to create the most perfect smile one could ever see. And it definitely makes watching the notebook five times a week worth it.

"I win!" She exclaimed. "Again!"

"And what movie will it be this time?" I asked, trying my best to disguise the grin plastered on my face.

"Take a wild guess!" She ordered smirking.

"Let me see," I joked, "Hmm, how about the notebook?" I suggested.

"What a great idea!" She exclaimed. Practically jumping up and down for joy. This time I couldn't hide my smile. I didn't want to. It hurt to know that she hates me, even though I made myself difficult to like.

"Dinner, kids." My mother shouted up the stairs. When I arrived at the immaculately decorated dinning room I was greeted by a huge smile plastered on my mother's face, and a scowl on Adeline's.

"I have something to ask you." She stated. Her voice filled with hope.

"And what would that be?" I asked, sitting down at the table opposite Adeline. We made eye contact for a split second before she turned away. I might have imagined it, but there's a possibility that she blushed before breaking the eye contact.

"Every year Adeline's aunt, Catherine, has a summer party at the beginning of the season."

"Yes," I sighed, "and?"

"Well normally, you two and Grace would stay here with Christopher, as he couldn't face Rose's family after she-" My mother didn't finish her sentence, not just because Adeline was sitting only inches away from her. But because, she was Rose's best friend. It hurt her too.

"Because my father and yours are in Moscow, we are expected to go tomorrow night with Elizabeth." Adeline spoke up, pretending that even just the thought of her mother's sudden death wasn't as painful as a dagger in her heart. I know it hurts her to speak of her mother, and it hurts me to see her in such a state.

"Well, do you want to go?" My eyes were on Adeline's. Nothing else mattered. Just her, only her. If swing her aunt hurt her too much then I wouldn't let her go anywhere near that mansion.

She didn't answer my question verbally, but the look that she responded with said it all. The last thing Adeline wants is to be stuck in a four story mansion talking to strangers all night pretending that her father had actually told her anything about her mother. Catherine and Rose came from a wealthy family. I was never told where the money came from, just that they were wealthy.

"Lighten up, you two will have a great time! I'll even let you have a couple drinks!" This was my mothers way of bribery, she really hates being in arguments with us, so she would always try to sweeten the deal.

"I'm only going if Addie goes." I responded.

"I'm sure it won't be too bad." Adeline mumbled as she took a bite of her chicken.

"How long will it be on for?" I asked. If Adeline was going then I would have no reason not to. She makes everything fun. She could make rolling around in pigs dirt sound appealing if she wanted to.

"From seven to eleven, she came by this morning to tell me the details. She also gave strict orders that Adeline makes an appearance. You know how stubborn she gets." I do know how stubborn the curly haired woman could get. Her fiery red hair matched her scorching hot personality almost too well. Adeline on the other hand, is her polar opposite. She has chocolate brown wavy hair that ends about her waist, and deep blue eyes similar to the shade of blue you would find in the ocean during a storm. I was never able to catch a glimpse of the pictures that were taken of her mother, as her father burned them when we were both young, but I assume her mother has a bit more of a resemblance towards Adeline.

"What about me," Chirped a calm voice. "Where do I go?" This entire time Grace had been MIA, I never even noticed her walk in.

"Well, how would you feel about staying home? We wouldn't be far, and Maddison will be here to look after you in case anything goes wrong." It didn't take a genius to realise that my mother had completely forgotten about Grace's existence.

"Sounds good to me." Grace responded, a little too exited.

"It's settled then," my mother stated. "Adeline, Finlay and I will attend Catherine's Party, and Grace will stay home with Maddison.