Page 42 of One Last Smile

“No need to be coy, cousin,” Alistair says. “You thought I drifted to your door because my latest venture left me as penniless as the last. Well, you’re right. I’m afraid I have naught but the clothes on my back and the money I used to buy my plane ticket back to Japan. But I have some goodwill remaining with my former investors, and I’m armed with a plan—a real one this time. I feel confident about it. And anyway, it’s high time I spread my own wings and flew.”

Sebastian looks utterly flummoxed for the first time in my memory. “You… Is everything all right?”

Alistair laughs. “Everything is wonderful, cousin. I just… want to grow up is all.”

“How do you plan to do that with no money to live on?” Veronica challenges.

“I will be happy to share all the details with you later,” he says. “I don’t wish to spoil your dinner by discussing my financial woes, nor do I wish to bore you all with my very mundane plan to rescue myself from them. I wish to enjoy a merry meal with my lovely cousins and then hear them wish me success as I venture into the future!”

“We shall miss you, cousin,” Eliza says. There’s a touch of relief in her expression, though, and I’m not sure if she means it.

“And I will miss all of you,” he says. “But think of it this way. I won’t be around to annoy you with my affection, and your husband won’t have to be jealous of my rakish good looks and superior wit.”

Eliza rolls her eyes and says, “I’m sure he’ll be quite thrilled.” At the same time, she tenses and casts a nervous look at her mother.

Veronica purses her lips, but I can’t tell if it’s jealousy that prompts her reaction, or concern for Eliza. My experience with her suggests that she cares little for her older children, but after all I’ve only been here a week. Perhaps I’m wrong.

In any case, it’s clear Alistair refers to Rupert. It’s been clear since the first I saw them together that Rupert is attracted to Eliza. I assumed at that time that Eliza couldn’t possibly feel the same way about him. Now, I suspect she might.

Could she have been involved in Minnie’s death too?

Lucas looks genuinely upset about his cousin’s departure, and my heart goes out to him. I think that Alistair’s arrival is the closest he’s come to feeling truly free.

Alistair notices his expression and says, “No tears from you, little cousin. It’s only for a little while. When I have established myself, I’ll fly all of you out to Japan and show you how we party in Asia. In the meantime, you made a promise to me to devote yourself to your studies. I will expect that when we see each other again, you will tell me all about the scholarship you’ve earned.”

Lucas smiles at him, his eyes moist. “I will.”

“Good. Mary?”

I turn to him. “Yes?”

“Be good to my cousin, please. Teach him well and protect him as much as possible.”

“I… of course, yes.”

Veronica and Sebastian look between us, their brows furrowed. I feel heat climb my cheeks at the same time as a chill runs down my spine. I would have much preferred it had Alistair shared this missive in private.

“What does that mean?” Veronica asks. “Protect him from what?”

“From stodgy instruction and rote memorization, of course,” he says. “You know how I feel about education in Britain.” He grins and winks at me. “Mary is wise enough to allow his mind to develop rather than cram it in a box.”

“Quite so,” I say. “He’ll be in good hands.”

Veronica gives me a suspicious look, and I shrug a little, as though to indicate that I don’t understand him either.

She sighs and gives Alistair a slightly exasperated smile. “Well, I wish you well. And don’t hesitate to call us if you need help. I admire your choice to try to stand on your own two feet, but don’t feel you need to stand or fall. We love you.”

“I promise you,” he replies, “should I stand at the edge of a precipice, I will grasp whatever rope is extended to me.”

His phone rings, and he says, “Ah. That’s my ride, I believe.”

“You’re leaving this minute?” Oliver exclaims. “In the middle of dinner?”

“Time and opportunity wait for no man,” Alistair says, “least of all me.” He stands and walks to each of us in turn, planting a kiss on each of our cheeks. “I love you all! When next I see you, I shall be shogun!”

He heads to the door, and just as suddenly as he arrives, he is gone.

The rest of us sit in silence for a moment, discombobulated at his abrupt departure.

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