Sky Pirates

Chapter 58

Perry had made his way to the central path along the outside wall of the garden opposite from the honeybee hive. While he worked cutting grass and pulling weeds along the wide central path, Mildred had connected her portion of the path to the outside ring near the bees. She stood for a long time, watching the bees entering and leaving the hive. After her amazing experience being covered with bees a few days earlier, they had not accosted her. Occasionally, one or two of the creatures would hover near her, land on her sleeve, and then lift off again. It was, Mildred believed, their way of acknowledging her, of saying hello.

Mildred took out a handkerchief and wiped at her brow. It had taken the whole morning to connect that central path to the outer one. While there was still a great amount of work to do, she was proud of the effort she and Perry had put into the garden. One half of it was now open and navigable. Of course, now that this had been accomplished, it was easy to see the great amount of effort required to open up all the smaller paths that weaved in patterns amid the various flower beds and overgrown shrub hedges. But, even with the knowledge that there remained so much, she was proud of her efforts.

She took a brief break on the bend along the outside wall, nearest the bees, to work out some issues. She found their noise, their constant hum and buzz, to be soothing. There were three problems weighing on her. First, that she knew there had to be some way to both get the honey and not to kill the hive, but the matter stumped her. She'd talked to the stable master, who was the most knowledgeable person she had close to her when it came to the issue of the bees, but it appeared to her that they'd exhausted his knowledge. She was still waiting for Mr. Wickliffe's scientist friend to write back and inform them of some possible choices.

Second, problem: what to do to help poor Cole? There had to be a way to allow him to follow his heart and love who he wanted, without bringing disgrace to the family, or, more importantly, to bring shame to Horatio Wickliffe's family. She didn't want the Wickliffe's to leave. Because of the next concern.

Third, what to do about her feelings for lovely Edith, and Edith's feelings for her? As Mildred considered Edith, her heart raced and she felt a flush rise on to her cheeks. She knew and understood Cole, although she hadn't told him. Of course, she sympathized with her brother. But, poor Edith was in love with her and somehow Mildred must help her shift those feelings into sisterly love, not romantic love.

That's when it occurred to her, the solution to the second problem. As she realized the resolution, their tower clock began chiming the hour of eleven. That was the newly agreed upon lunch time. She raced out of the garden and back to the house. She wanted to change from her dirty smock into a clean dress. There was so much to discuss with Cole.

She entered the house through the great front door. No one was in sight and she dashed up the staircase and ran right into Mr. Willoughby on the top landing. The two of them tumbled to the ground.

"Oh, Mr. Willoughby, I'm terribly sorry!" shrieked Mildred.

Roland Willoughby quickly righted himself, and once on his feet, offered his gloved hand to her. "Quite all right, Miss Mildred."

She took his hand and a chill shuddered through her body, but she allowed herself to be partially lifted to her feet again by this man.

"Shall I let Cook know that you'll be a bit tardy for luncheon." Now, he eyed her in obvious judgment of her state of disarray.

"Yes, thank you." Mildred turned toward her room, wishing to dash down the hallway, but knew that Mr. Willoughby was still watching her. She walked as quickly as she could, finally hearing his footsteps on the stairs.

She entered her room and felt that things were out of sorts, yet when she looked around the space, everything appeared to be where it was supposed to reside. In her mind she cursed the maids and housekeeper for always shuffling through her things.