The Rose Necklace

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Potter, will you do me a favor?" Aster asked. It was time for her to return to Ivy for medicine, but she was dreading the visit.

"Why of course! What do you need?"

"Will you make my trip to Ivy's for me? Adam can show you the way; I just don't feel up to it today."

Misunderstanding her reasons for not wanting to go, Potter looked at her with disapproval. "You're feeling ill again, aren't you? I'll go, but I'm going to bring something back for you too. I'll bet that Ivy can whip up a tonic that'll have you feeling better in no time!"

"Really, there's no need-"

"Nonsense. Now, where's Adam and that list? We should get going if we're to be back before dark." He headed out in search of Adam, waving at Aster as he went. She waved feebly back, feeling guilty for not telling him the real reason she didn't want to see Ivy.

She sat down in a chair by the fire, and thought about the past few weeks. She had begun to make inquiries with the elders of the village, asking about Ivy and her daughter. Though they didn't know much, what they could tell her chilled her to the bone.

It seemed that no one knew what Ivy had named her daughter, and none had ever seen her. They had heard stories of her from Ivy and her husband, but she had stayed in her room whenever someone visited. A mere three years old when she died, the girl hadn't even had a proper funeral. Though Ivy's husband had been buried in the village cemetery with appropriate ceremonies and a headstone, no one knew where Ivy had buried her daughter. Many suspected somewhere near the cottage, but Adam and Lilly played all over in the woods, and he had never mentioned seeing a gravesite. In fact, for all intents and purposes, it seemed as if the girl had never actually died. Everyone knew that she must have, of course, but Ivy refused to have a funeral of any sort. The more Aster thought about it, the more suspicious the entire thing seemed to her. She thought of the look in Ivy's eyes that day; the woman had looked capable of murder. She shuddered at the thought, and reprimanded herself for buying into the silly town gossip.

Forcing herself to move from her comfy spot, she decided that she would have some freshly baked cookies waiting for Potter and Adam when they came home. She also decided that when the opportunity presented itself, she would mention her fears to Potter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ivy and Lilly sat in the kitchen drinking tea. Rather, Ivy was sitting; Lilly was bouncing. Ivy could see the excitement in her eyes. Adam and Aster were due to visit today, and Lilly was clearly impatient for them to arrive. Ivy stared at the girl, and silently chastised herself; she should have never let her emotions take control like that. She could tell that Aster was suspicious about her actions now, and the last thing Ivy needed was someone watching her that closely.

She sat there, thinking about possible courses of action. So many to choose from... There was always the truth, of course, but Ivy didn't think Aster would understand. No, the truth was out. A quick memory potion would make her forget the entire incident. That idea had merit. She could also apologize for her behavior, telling Aster that she was just overcome; possible, but still not as good as a memory potion. Although, some people had the most troublesome immunity to memory potions. It would be just Ivy's luck that Aster would be one of those people. If nothing else worked, there was always mur-. No, no. I am a good person, Ivy told herself. Even if Aster wouldn't understand, I am not the villain here. She would not resort to such a thing as murder. But maybe you already have, a little voice in her mind said. What you've done to Lilly is as bad as murder, and even worse is what you've done to- No! She would not think of that. Not now. Not with Lilly sitting there smiling at her over her teacup.