Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Dinner for Four

Miss Prudence Garland accepted the dinner invitation from Master Jamison Huntley. Since she was single, she needed a chaperone. Timothy and her sister Essie traveled with her to the Huntley estate to have dinner that evening.

The four of them dined on steak and potatoes with fresh dinner rolls. The waitress served squash on the side, along with red wine to drink. For dessert, Agnes served heart- shaped pastry love knots, which were pastry dough rolled into a braid in the shape of a heart. The filling was candied apple slices and cinnamon spice. White frosting drizzled across the heart, adding an extra touch of sweetness.

Then, after the delicious dessert, Jamison asked Prudence to join him in the atrium for an after-dinner drink. Timothy and Essie remained in the parlor. Timothy poured a brandy, tossed the first one back, and then refilled his glass a second time. Essie started in on him, harping over his excessive drinking.

He grabbed the bottle and said, "I'm going to see my father."

Timothy left her sitting alone in the parlor. Her hands were shaking, and she poured a glass of sherry from the buffet. Timothy found the two servant boys sitting out his father's room. Soon as he entered, the one boy took off running to tell Master Jamison.

Jamison and Prudence sat on the love seat in the atrium, talking alone for the first time. Jamison was over the moon for this gentle woman. She was the tallest of the three sisters and had dark, curly hair. Her face was angelic. Jamison saw her eyes twinkle when she smiled.

When the servant boy interrupted the two of them, Jamison apologized and excused himself to check on his father.

Omar had been restless all day in his room. He searched his desk drawers and pulled out papers and leaving a mess everywhere. Clarice did her best throughout the day to put the items back into the drawers. Finally, she gathered the papers into a box and carried them into Master Jamison's room.

When Timothy arrived, his father took the bottle, poured himself a drink, and drank it straight down.

"I have money," said Omar. "I need you to do a something for me. I will pay you half now, and the rest when you complete the job."

"What do I need to do?" asked Timothy.

"My brother stole my wife. They left me. I want them back."

Omar pressed several coins into his son's hand. Timothy put them in his pocket as he heard Jamison approaching.

"What's going on in here?" asked Jamison.

"I came to visit, Pa," said Timothy.

"Why? Do you need money?" asked Jamison sternly.

Timothy lied to his brother and said, "No."

Jamison pulled his brother aside and spoke in a hushed tone.

"He is not well. I have had to watch him in order to protect him and others from himself."

"He seems a bit daft," said Timothy, looking at his father as he mumbled to himself.

Timothy saw him crawling around, searching for something and then staring at items real close to his face.

"I don't want you to help him with any of his schemes," said Jamison. "I am tired of this fighting over land and always seeking revenge."

Timothy scoffed and walked away.

"I am planning on sending word to the neighbors for a meeting to end the land wars and make peace," said Jamison. "I hope you and Mr. Garland will attend and stand with me."