Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Returning Home

When Talia awoke in the morning, she dressed and went down to breakfast. Her Aunt Pauline informed her that her mother and father took off early this morning to spend the day together.

"They said to tell you they would be back this evening and to pack your trunk," said Pauline. "They planned on leaving tomorrow morning to go back home."

Talia finished her breakfast and went upstairs. She told Myrna about the news that they would leave tomorrow morning. Myrna worked on packing all three of the trunks during the morning while Talia worked on her green plaid dress.

Talia asked Myrna about the balls, and she knew nothing about them because she always worked for Lady Geneva, and she had attended none of the parties. Myrna told Talia that Lady Geneva only travels once a month to see her brother.

She and Talia visited most of the afternoon as they sewed, and Talia found out a lot about Myrna and realized they grew up the same. Remembering her childhood made Talia miss Agnes, and she felt guilty. She had thought little about the Huntley Castle, trying to block most of it out of her mind.

She dined that evening with her Uncle Garrett and Aunt Pauline. The three of them had a lively conversation as they told stories from the parties they attended when they were young. They described the dancing and the games of sport during the day. Talia listened with intensity as she absorbed the social nuances of these events.

After the meal, Talia thanked both of them for their generosity of opening up their home to her. She hugged Pauline and shook Garrett's hand as she said good night. She went upstairs to her room.

Later in the evening, Talia was reading when she heard a soft knock on her door.

"Who is it?" asked Talia as she ran to the door.

Her mother and father walked into her room, and she welcomed them home. Then, they sat down on each side of Talia on her bed and told her about their day. They told how they toured the city and looked at all the expansions in the city. The two of them shopped and went out for lunch.

"Garrett gave us two tickets to a concert this evening, so we had an early dinner and then attended the concert."

"That sounds wonderful. I'm so glad you enjoyed it."

"Your father picked this out for you for your birthday."

Gerald presented her with heart-shaped necklace with a topaz stone in the center.

"It is a topaz; it represents your birthday month of November."

She hugged her father and then hugged her mother. She stared at the beautiful necklace.

"Thank you. What a beautiful gift."

"We have missed a lot of special birthdays and holidays together. I glad you like it. I knew you would," added her mother.

"Now, we all need to get some sleep if we are going to travel tomorrow," said her father.

Geneva stood up and then kissed her forehead. Her father followed, kissing her forehead as he said good night.

Talia held the necklace in her hand as she fell asleep.

* * *

The next morning, trunks were loaded before breakfast. Pauline insisted Talia take the goodies from the basket with her.

"This gives me an excuse to buy new items for the basket for the next time my niece comes to visit," said Pauline.

"Oh, you are going to spoil her, Pauline," said Geneva.