Page 24 of One Last Smile

I think of Annie’s face, her smile, her laugh. I can’t bear to think that’s been taken forever and I’ll never know why.

But I’m so tired. I’ve fought so hard, and if I keep fighting, I’ll lose myself. And for what? If there’s nothing to gain, then what am I fighting for?

I lift my eyes to her and nod softly. “All right.”

That conversation was twenty-eight years ago. The next day, Detective Huxley closed the investigation into my sister’s disappearance. I’ve never forgiven myself for not fighting to learn the truth.

Someone kidnapped Minerva Montclair. Someone killed her. I don’t believe for a moment the fantasy that she eloped somewhere. Someone murdered her, and whether it’s right or wrong, I can’t just ignore that. Not anymore.

But I won’t learn anything else today. I head upstairs for some tea. I’ll sit in the sun for a while, then work on my lesson plan for Lucas. I don’t know if he’ll be back tomorrow, but it’s better than stewing in my own uncertainty.

I arrive in the tearoom to see Sebastian sitting with a cup in his hand facing the window. He turns to me and smiles. “Good afternoon, Mary. I thought you had gone for the afternoon. You can, you know. You’re not a prisoner here.”

I redden slightly. “I’m sorry to intrude, sir. I’ll leave you to your tea.”

“You mistake my meaning,” he says. “You’re welcome to stay if you’d like. In fact, if you’d like, I’d love the company. You’re under no obligation to stay, though.”

I hesitate a moment. On one hand, if there’s anyone who knows the whole story of Minnie’s disappearance, it’s Sebastian. On the other hand, he might be the most dangerous of the Carltons, and I don’t think it would be wise to poke this particular bear.

But again, wisdom has never been my strong suit.

“Thank you, sir. I will join you if that’s all right.”

“I invited you,” he reminds me, “so it’s all right. Sit. I’ll get you a cup.”

“Oh, sir, that’s all right. I can manage.”

“Sit.”

I sit. What else is there to do when the lord of the manor commands me?

He returns a moment later and asks, “Do you take cream?”

“No, thank you. I’ve always said a good Earl Grey should stand on its own.”

“I agree.”

He pours me a cup and resumes staring out the window. Just when I’m about to make small talk to break the uncomfortable silence, he asks, “Have you ever married, Miss Mary?”

“No, sir. I’ve never met the right person, I suppose.”

He nods. “You’re lucky.”

When he doesn’t offer an explanation and the silence grows uncomfortable again, I say, “Veronica seems like a lovely woman.”

“Oh, she is,” he agrees, “the loveliest woman I’ve ever met. But also the most demanding.”

“Oh?”

He smiles slightly. “She’s enamored with the status that comes with wealth. The money itself is secondary to her. She must be worshipped always. You don’t see that side of her at home, but she cannot stand being less than the most important person at all times.”

I sip my tea. I really should speak to someone about my strange ability to get everyone to trust in me for no reason.

Sebastian notices my embarrassment. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no, sir. Of course not.” As though I could give any other answer.

He nods. “I love her more than anything. And I will never leave her. I suppose that’s my curse.”

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