Linger in love

(32) Home

The Featherington Home

Mrs Varley bounced a little "You have a visitor Ma'am"

"I have told you once, I have told you a million times, I do not wish to see anyone. Mrs Varley. Please leave me be"

"But ma'am its Penelope" she gasped. "She is home".

"I will be straight down" she spoke calmly, but the second Varley left her sight she collapsed in tears grasping at her chest. The relief buckled her knees. To know that the only thing separating her and her youngest was a staircase. She felt alone for so long. Even her other two daughters could not relieve her of her anguish.

As she slowly descended the staircase. Her heartbeat was thumping at each step. She took a deep breath and tuned through the door.

Penelope sat rather dignified. Her belly was more pronounced. Was she with child. Pens hair was now loose and down. The red dress she wore made her look the picturesque of elegance  and grace. She did not look the same, or act the same.

Her sister's sat opposite her, yet, still hadn't opened their mouths to speak. Which was very unlike them. Pen looked from one to the other waiting for an insult or jest on her behalf. Nothing.

"Good day mama"

"Penelope. Are you to stay?" she pierced her lips together.

"I am only visiting for a short time"

"Where is Mr Fairaway, did he not return with you?" Portia sat next to Pen, leaning closer to her.

"He has not" Pen nearly choked on her words.

"Apologies, are you two not well?" Well, quite the opposite in fact.

"Pen shook her head. Tommy died. He was very ill, you see"

Portia tried to reach for Pen, then retorted. Lady Featherington wasn't know for showing affection. Why she believed she may do such a gesture now was unfound.

"I am so sorry, dear" Pen held her mother's hand.

Portia smiled maternally "Mr Fairaway seemed a lovely young man, my deepest sympathies" Portia spoke softly.

"Lord Fairaway" Pen spoke softly with a smile. She missed his face, how he would love to see how her baby bump is growing.

Portia raised her eyebrow "Sorry?"

"He was a Lord, mama"

"You are not only a wife, but a lady" Portia looked surprised at how well she had done, all by herself. Pen touched her belly "And a mother" Portia felt something she had not felt in a long while. Pride.

"You are to be aunties, sisters"

Prudence and Philipa looked elated, yet still had not said a word.

"Why do you not speak to me, either of you?" Pen asked. In truth, she had never seen her sisters so quiet. It was rather unnerving.

Prudence looked as though she may cry "It is only Phillipa and myself, do not want to say the wrong thing and you leave us again"

Phillia looked at Prudence then back at Pen "Do you hate us, Penelope?"

Pen let out a loud sigh "Of course I do not. No matter what, you are my family"

"What are you to do now, Penelope?" her mother asked her cautiously, not wanting her to leave.

"Honestly, I do not know. Tommy was everything. He showed me what love was, what it felt like to feel love from another. He was.. " Pen wiped a loose tear away "Everything" she fussed her skirts while looking down "Without him, I feel like I truly am lost. I do not belong here anymore. My heart does not belong here. Tommy took it with him when he left"