Page 7 of One Last Whisper

We head inside, and Oliver launches into another coughing fit. I hold him until the coughing subsides, convinced now more than ever that his illness has far more to do with his nurture than his nature.

When the coughing ceases, he says, “I think I’ll rest for a while. I’ll show you my video games another day. Thank you for talking to me, Miss Mary.”

“You’re quite welcome, Master Oliver. Any time you need to talk about anything, I’ll be there.”

He smiles, a brief reminder of the joy of youth I saw in his eyes before. Then it vanishes, and he leaves.

I sigh and think of the trials I will endure in the months to come. Rather than allow my mind to turn to accusation, I determine to get to know Lord Edmund better. Perhaps I can convince him to trust me and allow me more freedom to manage Oliver’s care.

And I’d like to talk to his doctor too. I want to know what exactly it is that plagues Oliver. Surely we can find a better solution than imprisonment.

Until then, I must remember that I have only been here for one day. All is not necessarily as it seems.

***

Dinner is, not surprisingly, a frosty affair. Lord Edmund is a black hole, sitting ramrod straight and demanding with his posture and his scowl that everyone present conduct themselves like proper English gentlemen and ladies.

Oliver looks pale and weak. I am grateful when he eats a hearty portion of the stew that Theresa made for dinner. He needs all of the strength he can get.

Lady Cordelia opens the conversation after the appetizer is finished. “So Mary, you were a teacher before you became a governess, right?”

“Oh yes, twenty-five years.”

“Twenty-five years? That’s quite a long time. What prompted you to change careers?”

I take a bit of food and use it as an excuse to think. The truth is that I’m not entirely sure what exactly finally pushes me to make the move.

The reason I decide to give today is, “I felt as though it was time to try something different. I’ve always enjoyed workingwith children, and I thought that this would give me an opportunity to work even more closely with them.”

“Do you have children of your own?”

I’m about to answer when Lord Edmund interjects. “Come now, Cordelia. Surely, Miss Mary isn’t interested in discussing her personal life.

I make the mistake of saying, “Oh, it’s quite all right, Lord Edmund. I’m not offended.”

The room immediately chills. Lady Cordelia pales and looks nervously at her husband. Oliver looks down at his plate. He seems to have shrunk into himself.

Lord Edmund shows no visible sign of anger at my reply. He simply continues to eat his food as though he were unaware of the tension coming from the others around the table.

I try to turn the conversation to him to take the focus away from this moment. “So Lord Edmund. I understand you’re facing surprising support from the Labour Party on the new tax bill. To what do you attribute this success?”

Lady Cordelia is nearly audible with her relief. Oliver notices the change in his aunt and looks hopefully at his uncle. I don’t know what they see. To me, Lord Edmund’s demeanor doesn’t change.

Whatever they see, they are relieved to see it. Lord Edmund finishes his bite and says, “Well, even they understand that you can’t squeeze blood from a stone. If we’re to find solutions to the labor crisis, it can’t come by taking what the working class doesn’t have. Besides, there are enough roads that need paving and churches that need repairing to find work for any who need it. Why not kill several birds with one stone? Frankly, I’m still surprised there are some who oppose the bill.”

He finishes the last bite of his stew and stands. He gives me his signature nod and says, “Miss Mary, it was delightful to have you. Please excuse me for retiring early. I have a long trip back toParliament in the morning. I hope to return with the victory you predict with that tax bill.”

I smile at him. “I’m quite sure you will, your Lordship.”

He nods again, then leaves the room. Lady Cordelia smiles gratefully at me. Oliver stares at me like I’m some sort of goddess.

I don't even try to contain my smile. It's only my second night here—my first after meeting the family—and I've already learned how I can improve the wellbeing of every member of House Blackwood, including its stern Lord.

It’s a good start.

CHAPTER FOUR

All good things must come to an end, as they say. My first night, I am disturbed by the house and yet I sleep like a baby. This second night, I am not at all afraid, but this is when my nightmares return.

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