Sky Pirates

Chapter 28

The Wickliffe family stood at the grand entrance to Wickwillow manor. "Now children, please do be on your best behavior. Remember that these children are without a mother or father, and their uncle has been traveling great distances around the globe and is not much at home. It is our duty to offer them friendship and kindness, not only as their new friends, but also because their uncle is our patron. Everything we have at the moment is because of this family."

"Yes, Father," said the dutiful Edith.

"Horatio?"

"You've told us a million times, Father."

Mr. Wickliffe pulled at the bell, but nothing seemed to happen. The family waited, but no one answered the door.

"Edgar, why don't you try that knob," said Gladys Wickliffe as she pointed to a brass knob protruding outward, next to the door.

Mr. Wickliffe eyed the handle and touched it. He smiled at his wife and children before pulling on it. Upon its release, a series of whistles were heard from within the house. They played a popular tune of the day.

Edith clapped her hands with joy. "Pull it again, Father!"

Before he could have had such an opportunity to pull it again, a tall man in tie and red tails opened the great front door, which creaked.

"Good evening," said the servant.

"Good evening. The Wickliffe's."

"Very good, sir. May I take the gentlemen's hats?"

Mr. Wickliffe and his son removed their tall hats, removed their gloves and placed them inside the hats, and handed each in turn their headwear to the butler. Once everything had been stowed appropriately on the side table, the butler led the Wickliffe family down a corridor and into the conservatory.

There was an awkward moment as they entered. There was no man of the house to do the duties of welcome and introduction because Cole was not present in the room. The vicar's family stood at the doorway as the butler announced them to Miss Canton and Miss Greene. Mildred began to take a step forward to greet the guests, but Lorain gently placed a hand on her elbow, holding her back from the intended movement.

"Miss Greene," said the vicar, "since we've already met several times, I think it would be appropriate for me to make the introductions of my family to you."

Mildred allowed the vicar forward with a nod. "Yes, I do think it best. I'm not sure where Cole has gotten off to, and if we had to wait for him, why, we might be standing here awkwardly all evening." As she spoke, Mildred ignored Lorain Canton's glare.

"May I first present my wife, Mrs. Gladys Wickliffe."

"So lovely to meet you Mrs. Wickliffe," said Mildred with a brief curtsey.

Mrs. Wickliffe curtsied in return.

"This strapping lad is my eldest son, Horatio."

Horatio bowed as Mildred turned her eyes to the floor and curtsied.

"And, finally, my youngest, the jewel of our house, my daughter, Edith."

The two young women smiled at each other and offered the appropriate depth of curtsey. Edith offered Mildred a quick wink, which caused a broad smile on Mildred's face.

"And, this is my tutor, Miss Lorain Canton," said Mildred finally. She looked about the room, but Cole had not appeared. So, it was for her to become lady of the house. "Won't you please come in and make yourselves at home."

The Wickliffe family spread out a bit in the conservatory. Mildred whispered something to a nearby serving girl who disappeared and just as quickly reappeared with a tray of iced teas and lemonades.

"I must apologize. Without a man about the house, our offerings are a bit tepid when it comes to spirits. Our lemonade is the best in Wickwillowshire," said Mildred.

There was another long, awkward moment of silence among the assemblage each in the room eyeing up the others around them.

"Oh, please, feel free to sit or wander as you will. The room is filled with specimens that my father and uncle have collected on their travels."

"These flowering trees are marvelous," said Mrs. Wickliffe.

"I wish I paid better attention when he explained what was what and where it's all come from."

"It matters not the geographic location of beauty, for all things beautiful come from God," said Mr. Wickliffe with his wrinkle-eyed smile.

"Miss Greene, your dress is lovely," said Edith, sidling up to Mildred.

"Oh, thank you so much. I must say though that I detest all this formality. You are our friends and neighbors, and I would thoroughly enjoy it if you would please call me Mildred."

Edith looked toward her parents for advice. Her father nodded approval. "Very well, then, if I'm to call you Mildred, you must call me Edith."

The young women shook hands, as if creating a pact.

Cole burst into the room, his shirt collar unbuttoned. "Hello. Hello. I'm sorry to be so late. My sister abandoned me, and I wasn't able to get this blasted thing right."

Mildred quickly moved to her brother and got him properly buttoned and tucked.

"I'm sorry, Millie," said Cole.

"I can't believe you've left me alone to greet our guests," Mildred hissed at her brother.

Cole stepped away from his sister and shook hands with the Vicar who once again made the formal introductions. Cole smiled kindly and bowed toward Mrs. Wickliffe, shook Horatio's hand, and bowed, without making eye contact, in Miss Wickliffe's general direction.

Another awkwardsilence ensued, only to be broken by the arrival of the butler, and theannouncement of dinner being served. Cole and Mildred led their guests andLorain into the adjoining dining room.

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