Sky Pirates

Chapter 60

The tower clock chimed the sixth hour. Mildred descended the stairs in a white dress that moved well. When she entered the parlor all eyes turned to her and she thought she heard a gasp. She was glad she'd taken the extra time to pile her hair atop her head and to add the adornments of little white flowers. Mildred had thought the effect would be stunning, and based on the reaction of the Wickliffe family, she knew she'd been correct.

"Good evening," she said brightly to those assembled. Mildred made the rounds, shaking first Mr. Wickliffe's hand, and then Mrs. Wickliffe's. She nodded to Horatio who stood alone, apart from his family, and then moved gracefully to Edith. In her periwinkle blue dress, her eyes of blue sparkled. "Hello, Edith," said Mildred. Her hand trembled lightly as she reached for that of her friend's.

"You look amazing, Mildred!" exclaimed Edith who clutched to her. "Thank you so much for this dinner invitation." Then she drew her face close to Mildred's and whispered: "It has been unbearable at our home the past few days."

Mildred didn't comment, but turned to Mr. Wickliffe. "How is that horse of yours?"

"Working perfectly," said Mr. Wickliffe with a warm smile.

Mildred moved to the long upholstered banner and gave it a tug. One of the serving girls arrived with a tray of wine glasses around a large crystal decanter. "I thought we would have a little wine before dinner, if that is acceptable to everyone?" She looked around at her guests, wondering where Cole was. She had asked Willoughby that afternoon to be sure his charge, even though he was no longer Willoughby's charge, would be on time for dinner. Before the girl left the room, Mildred asked her quietly, "Where is my brother?"

"I don't know, Miss."

"Would you please find Willoughby and ask him?"

"Yes, Miss."

"I must apologize for my brother. He is, as usual, running a bit late. Why don't you pour us some wine, Mr. Wickliffe?"

"Of course, of course," said the man. She watched as he took up his task, offering glasses to Mildred first and then his wife and daughter. She saw Horatio wave off the offer of a drink.

Mildred moved easily to Horatio. "Would you prefer something else?"

"No thank you, Miss Greene." The boy didn't make eye contact with her.

Mildred desperately wanted to pull Horatio and Edith aside, in the hall, or out of doors so that they could all talk. But, such a thing wasn't acceptable, even in such a small group as this. She'd invited the whole family to dinner and, therefore, knew she must entertain all of them, not just the children.

For a long while, no one spoke. Mildred offered them seats and took up her favorite chair. She knew she was supposed to make conversation, since no one was speaking. It annoyed her that Horatio was keeping so separate from the rest of the little group, but she didn't know how to bring him into the fray from the fringe.

"This is interesting," said Mr. Wickliffe of a small wood carved statuette sitting on the side table. "I don't remember seeing it before." He picked up the small figure and turned it around and around in his hands, marveling at the intricate carving and detail of the tribal man.

"That was among the things Father sent in his last crate. I liked it so much, I decided to bring it out into the light."

"Your father? You've heard from him?"

"Well, Mr. Wickliffe, there have been two suspect letters. I believe the crate has simply been in transit for a very long time. What's that line? On a slow boat from China? Around the capes and all that."