Page 9 of Married By Midnight
Sarah stoked the fire under the kettle. It was still hot from earlier, but not hot enough for tea. It would only take a few minutes to boil. She used her mother’s favorite china pot that was brought from a merchant who traveled all the way from England.
Once the water was boiling, Sarah poured it into the pot and added the last of her tea leaves. She didn’t know when she might be able to afford more tea.Might as well enjoy the cup, it could be her last for a while.
She placed the tea pot, strainer, some cream and two china cups on a tray. Remembering her guest asked for a snack, she slid a plate with a few crackers and some cheese onto the tray as well. How she wished she had jam tarts from the bakery, but cheese and crackers would suffice for now.
She carried the tray into her father’s study and placed it on the desk. Mrs. Pennyworth had disappeared. Looking around she couldn’t fathom where the old woman disappeared to.
“Mrs. Pennyworth?” Sarah walked into the hallway. She didn’t hear footsteps when she was in the kitchen, so she knew that her guest hadn’t left the house. “Mrs. Pennyworth?” she called again.
“In here, dear,” Mrs. Pennyworth called from the dining room.
Sarah walked to the dining room and Mrs. Pennyworth was looking at the cupboard with her mother’s things. Sarah noticed that her clothes appeared completely dry and there was no water anywhere to be seen.
“What are you doing in here?”
Mrs. Pennyworth peered over the glasses she was wearing. “I lost my way for a moment. I hope I’m not intruding.” She turned back to the hutch. “Your mother has a beautiful teapot collection.”
“She loved tea.”
Mrs. Pennyworth tapped her finger at the glass, but it didn’t make a sound. “I had a teapot like that. I think it came from Japan.”
“Yes. Father got it from one of the merchants that was traveling through Creede.”
“It is just lovely. My Edward bought me one in … oh, when was it?” She tapped her finger against her cheek. “Eighteen thirty-something.”
“That was a long time ago. I didn’t realize it was that old.”
“Quite valuable too. If you can find the right buyer. I guess I should go back to that front room.”
“I made some hot tea and a little snack.”
“Oh lovely.”
Sarah turned to leave but her skirt caught on the handle of the sideboard, spilling the contents to the floor. “Oh bother.”
“What’s that, dear?” Mrs. Pennyworth said pointing to the papers Mr. Mathews had dropped off earlier.
“It’s nothing,” Sarah said rushing to return the contents of the drawer back to the sideboard.
“It looks important. That looks like a seal on the document. Most folks don’t use a seal unless it is important.”
“I’m just dealing with some issues since my father died. That is all.” Sarah slid the papers in her pocket and closed the drawer. “Let’s go back to the office.”
“This was your father’s room?” Mrs. Pennyworth asked, returning to her seat by the fire. Sarah took the opposite seat. It was the one her mother would sit in when she was spending time with Father.
Sarah nodded. “They passed just a few weeks ago.”
“I am so sorry, dear. How are you recovering?”
“I’m really not.”
“I understand. When I lost my Edward, I thought I wouldn’t be able to live without him. Of course, I didn’t. I’ve been mourning for years.”
Sarah looked at the gown Mrs. Pennyworth wore again. It was a mourning gown. Layers of black lace and fabric were peeking out between her long cape with a hood.
“I couldn’t imagine losing someone as close as a husband. Losing my parents and my sister was hard enough.”
“You have a beautiful farm. I walk by it occasionally. There is a beautiful little stream that winds around the property. I like to listen to the water rush over the rocks.”
