Disclaimer: christianqueenofegypt owns nothing!
Finally! After forever, its up! Thank yall sl much for sticking with me! I hope this chapter is worth the wait!
By the time Felicity had been in Kembleford for two years, and she'd been working again as a hospital nurse under Dr. Sherwin for a year, Felicity and Michael were getting swamped at the hospital with no reprieve in sight, it seemed. Enter Fanny Derstan, a nurse located from south of Derbyshire. She came from a family of money, however, her family cut her off when she became engaged to a penniless missionary Robert Camden. Both were new to Kembleford. Fanny was looking for work as a nurse while Bob travelled to and from London having joined a local seminary.
When Fannie and Felicity met, they became fast friends, though Felicia wasn't sure how to keep quiet that she was working at the hospital thanks to a reference from Dr. Michael Sherwin, who had written that he would be down from London with his family within the week.
Fanny suggested that if Felicity was worried, perhaps they should start a book club at Faith's Flower Shop since they were all Protestants- they should read books after work; when she was ready she should tell Nathan about working at the hospital. Felicity nodded, liking the idea.
The books the women were currently reading were Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright* and Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer*
(1)
As they read the books for a consecutive two weeks, the three women found themselves laughing crying and bawling their eyes out. Felicity, the romantic of the group loved the love story of Wednesday letters. Fanny, who was the critical one, criticized the children and how they live their lives. Faith, the older and wiser of the trio just mentioned to Felicity that not all love was a walk in the park as well she should know, and to Fanny that they were all children ones trying to make their way through the world. Someday she would have children of her own and would better understand what her parents were going through at that moment...
All in all, Faith always had a nugget wisdom for Felicity and Fanny to think about; and they were always able to laugh at not only each other, but at themselves because she was absolutely right...
The morning of the fete, instead of book reading Faith calls for a time of prayer she felt the need to do it calls not only to pray for their leaders "not just the Queen, bless her heart, but also your men are leaders in the faith and that she and you both as their help mates" Both ladies smiled it was Wednesday and both were given off days from the hospital Michael and Eleanor were coming and Bob would be in town... it would be such fun!
Before they left to the castle, Faith called both girls for a time of prayer.
Dear Father in Heaven
He was ready
We come to you now before Your Throne of Grace
He was prepared-everything was in place -it was time
We pray all will go well according to Your will, Lord
It was time for that old fool to go; she had served her purpose...
Let no man or heart to be torn asunder
Was he mad? Could he end this?
We pray hedge of protection around us all
No- it was time
In Jesus' Name we pray
Audrie Diggle was going to die
Amen
"So, tell me about your Nathan. He sounds like a dish" Fanny grinned as Felicity blushed. "He is, at least to me. He's tall, handsome, and a hopeless romantic" Fanny laughed. "So is my Bob. Have you two been engaged long?" she motioned to the modestly stunning engagement ring on Felicity's left hand.
"No, actually, he proposed at dinner two weeks ago" she flushed, not seeing the need to rehash the argument she'd forgiven Nathan for, especially to a dear friend whom in some ways was still a stranger.
"How romantic!" Fanny cried as both women burst out laughing.
Ad they entered the castle, its occupants werent quite ready for the fete
"Hello all!" Felicity smiled, Fanny in tow. "Isnt this exciting?" she gushed, as Fanny looked about the room.
"Which one is he?" she whispered, looking first at the butler, the butler's son, St. John, the owner of the castle, and a tall, slightly stout gentleman with blonde hair, blue eyes, in a priest's clerical robes. He smiled at her, nodding politely, then flushed slightly as he grinned like a schoolboy over his glasses at the figure to her left.
As everyone made their way outside, Fanny held on to Felicity's arm. "Tell me youre not engaged to a Catholic priest!" Felicity giggled.
"Correction. I am engaged to a Protestant minister masquerading as a Catholic priest" she laughed.
"Lissie! He's- he's..."
"Perfect. and he's mine. Where's yours?" Felicity giggled again as Fanny spluttered indignantly.
"Felicity! Be serious! We're Protestants! We cannot marry outside of our faith! You cannot marry a Catholic! As your sister in Christ, I forbid it!"
"Who's marrying a Catholic?" a baritone slightly southern American voice asked.
"Oh, Bob! Thank goodness! Tell Felicity she cannot marry a Catholic priest!"
Bob grinned at Felicity, holding out his hand.
"Robert Camden" he smirked, "n you must be the infamous Felicity I've been hearing so much about"
Felicity smiled, shaking the man's hand politely.
"I am, though most know me as Lady Felicia Montague. A pleasure, Mr. Camden"
"The pleasure is mine, ma'am"
"Ah! There you are!" Felicity turned around and grinned at Nathan. "Father Brown, may I introduce Ms. Fanny Derstin and Mr. Robert Camden"
Nathan's eyebrows rose.
"Not the Mr. Camden who worked with Reverend Graham!"
"The very same, Father. I hear congratulations are in order for you as well"
Felicity smirked and Nathan chuckled. Fanny was still frowning.
"It is very recent. We thank you both, and congratulate you as well"
Felicity beamed at Nathan. She had not told him, how had he known? He winked at her, opening an arm. "Shall we, my dear?"
"Indeed we shall, Darling"
Nathan flushed red, causing Bob to smirk again.
Before they followed the couple, however, Bob held Fanny by the shoulders.
"Now, I know that look... what's wrong?"
Fanny pouted.
"He is! He's Catholic, and she's Protestant! They can't be together!"
"How do you know that?" he asked with a smile.
"His robes!" she hissed exaperatedly.
Bob raised an eyebrow.
"Why Fanny, I thought you knew better than to judge a pastor by his clothes"
he wrapped her in his arms
Fanny rolled her eyes.
"you could've fooled me, but you didn't..."
Bob grinned.
"hmmm and what about him?"
Fanny looked at him crossly. "what about him?"
Bob had a look of mischief in his eyes. "I talked with the Florist. She says he's completely changed. She wouldn't have accepted the match if he hadn't"
Fanny looked up confused
"so she was right in saying he was masquerading as a priest?" Bob laughed.
"No dear. she was joshing you. He's a Protestant convert. I'll have to talk to him, but I don't see why they can't get married when their ready."
Fanny humphed. Bob stroked her hair and face, bringing his soon to be bride into his arms. What a blessing she was...
"Now, I know you take your friendships seriously, but you need to let Felicity handle this one on her own. Understand?"
Fanny still looked cross.
"Francis Lillian..."
"Yes, dear..."
Bob grinned and kissed her.
"That's my girl. Now, let's go have some fun!"
Fanny grabbed his hand smirking as she looked her Reverend out of the corner of her eye. They raced to meet up with the others, not expecting what they'd find...
As she was hauled to her execution site, her son, an archer in Udolf's army, let fly an arrow from the battlements and shot his mother in the heart in a final, merciful act of love! Where did that come from? And how on earth did she do that? Gosh! Has she been shot?
Felicia watched Nathan take off his hat, and realized something was wrong.
Hello?
"Get Dr. Sherwin, quickly"
Nathan looked at her confused.
"My dear?"
Felicia shook her head, signifying there was no time to explain.
"Nurse Marsberg?" Dr. Sherwin inquired when reaching Felicity's side.-
Felicity shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Doctor. Ms. Diggle is dead"
FBFBFBFBFBFB
Good luck with the investigation, Inspector.
Thank you, Father.
Incidentally, can you think of anyone who would wish to harm Sir St John? Just one line of inquiry.
Oh, in that case, Mrs McCarthy is widely held to be the eyes and ears of Kembleford.
I don't know about that.
Father Brown will tell you I am not one to gossip.
Isn't that right, Father? I prefer to think of it as community wisdom.
Exactly! Community wisdom.
I can't think of anyone who would want to hurt Sir St John.
Miss Diggle, on the other hand, was a bit of a busybody, if you know what I mean.
Said the pot to the kettle.
Felicity pursed her lips
But a harmless one?
No such thing as a harmless busybody, Inspector.
Yes, that business in the parish office only this morning I don't know what she found, but it turned her white as a sheet.
Looked as if she'd seen a ghost.
Did she, now? Nathan gasped, pretending to be shocked. It gained the desired effect of Felicity trying no to giggle.
Miss Diggle Parish office Saw ghost.
Sir.
Excuse me.
Nathan decided to use the Inspector's absence to his advantage to do some of his own investigating.
You don't happen to notice which register Audrey was interested in, did you?
1700's to the 1800's. Not that I was being nosey, you understand.
Perish the thought, Mrs M!
Mrs McCarthy? Mrs Mc I heard you first time! Have you found something? Either there were no marriages, births or deaths in Kembleford between February and November 1850 or .
we have a missing page.
Holy Mother! Who would want to kill a busybody? I fear the answer is a great many people indeed.
Ah! Thank you for a most generous lunch.
You won't be saying that in the middle of the night.
Nellie's Yorkshire puddings have a tendency to outstay their welcome.
I understand, when she died, poor Miss Diggle was researching another project.
She took it upon herself to write a history of the Prydes.
Fascinating as our family is, I doubt Audrey's tome would appeal.
She did have a rather florid style.
Nathan tried not to grin as he thought of Felicity…
I trust I'm not interrupting work on next Sunday's homily? History of the Pryde family.
Illustrious but bloody, full of violent deaths and strange disappearances.
Is Mrs Clackett ill? Oh, she'll be in tomorrow as usual, and she won't be finding a godly man in unclean surroundings.
Well, go on.
Lots of family members who disappear from their annals and then reappear, marked simply "deceased".
And all male.
Branwen's curse? Destined never to die peacefully in their beds.
Does this shed any light on our missing page? When Audrey died, she was researching St John's grandfather, Ralph Pryde, 1829-1901.
So in 1850, he would have been 21Were there any births, marriages or deaths in the family that year? Not one.
Well, tomorrow's Monday, so no doubt all will become clear then.
Feet, Father! Will it? When you go to the Diocesan Records Office.
Do I? Where we keep copies of the parochial registers! Angel and saint rolled into one, Mrs M!
Nathan raised an eyebrow at the visage of Lady Felicia Montague in Nurse's uniform, taking Jego's pulse as St. John looked on helplessly.
Placing the stethoscope to her ears and to the lad's wrist, she listened intently for a moment, grabbed a pad and pen from her apron and wrote something down.
St. John looked at the Countess who sighed. "There's not much more I can do for him I'm afraid, save for restating Dr. Sherwin's orders. Flush out his system with water, feed him light broth when he comes to, and for pity's sake no more whiskey! It's a miracle the boy is still alive! lock it up if you must, but keep him away from it..."
She looked up as did St. John, at the newcomer who happened to be Nathan Brown.
Felicity nodded to the men, and made her way quietly out the door. She felt she might be in for some trouble later on...
Nathan looked after the nurse for a moment longer before returning to St. John, intending to speak to her once again about not telling him events of her present. things were different between them now considering the fact that they were soon to be wed; he was entitled to know more, though he decided he would not drag it out of her...
Morning, Father.
Thank you for coming.
I hear he had a lucky escape.
Luckier than you know.
He was pulled from the pool with a lethal dose of barbiturates in his system.
If he hadn't spewed them out, along with a stomach full of water, he'd be dead.
How were they administered? Jago has a habit of filching whisky when our backs are turned.
Traces of drugs were found in his hip flask.
Who would want to kill a child?
Surprisingly Nathan met up with Felicia later, when she stopped by the church.
"I popped in to see the invalid and Danby said I'd find you in here."
"Funny," said he, "I remember our paths crossing just once earlier this morning"
she flushed ashamed of herself for not telling him what she was up to.
"doctor-patient confidentiality as I mentioned before," she said "but I can tell you that Dr. Sherwin is planning to transition here, permanently."
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
Just out of curiosity my dear, when were you planning on telling me you were working at the hospital?
Felicity flushed. I honestly didnt want to tell you. I didnt know what your reaction would be.
Did he know?
Felicity shook her head
I didn't become a nurse until after he was dead. it was part of my taking back my independence
Nathan nodded then who am I to take away what you've worked so hard for?
Felicity grinned, rushed into his arms, and kissed him. He returned the kiss lovingly.
When they parted, Felicia pouted.
Nathan was thinking... or planning something...
What are you up to, Nathan? I was wondering what happened to Jago's father.
Mm.
Simon and his wife died in a car crash in France.
Poor little chap was only six weeks old.
France?
Close enough to have the body repatriated, yet conspicuous by his absence in the family tomb.
I thought it was odd at the time, but then there were the rumours about his job.
Something in the Government.
Terribly hush-hush.
Is it important?
I sense the key to this crime is in the past.
Well, then I'll telephone Michael.
Felicity grinned and nodded her head.
He has a twin brother by the name of Marshall whos sitting in the Lords this week.
Plenty of right ears he can pop a word in.
Thank you.
And now, I must away or I'll miss my train to Gloucester.
Oh! Are you going to see Bishop Talbot? Not if I can help it.
Felicia turned her head in confusion.
"Why not ?" he always went to see the Bishop when he went to Gloucester... Nathan turned back to her.
"For three reasons. First, Every time I visit he makes remarks to me about Ambrose. Second, Lately he's been questioning me as to why I am not attending the Directa Dicreetal. Finally, This time I don't want him asking about you. It will prod him to ask about my change of faith and questions about you I will not answer. Not to mention the fact that his questions and those answers are none of his business". Nathan nodded as did Felicity in understanding.
Nathan brushed her cheek and kissed her lips.
"Get some rest, darling... no need to wait up." He grinned knowingly.
Felicity gave him a mischievous wink. "As you wish, my love. God be with you" She watched him walk out of the sanctuary, praying for his safe return...
The next morning, Felicity was getting ready for a weekly Kembleford WI meeting, when the phone rang. It was Marshall with some devastating news…
Felicity spent about twenty minutes composing herself before calling her fiance, if there was ever need of a stiff drink, now was the time; after all, she wasn't on duty...
Father Brown? I'm glad I caught you.
I just got off the phone from Marshall.
He found out what happened to Simon Pryde.
I hope you're sitting down.
It gets rather unpleasant from here on in.
Nathan sat down as Felicity relayed the information she had been told.
Lissie was right about him needing to sit down... how awful! No wonder the family, Lydia especially, felt the need to keep everything quiet...
Lord, what am I to do?
He felt an impression that he was to everything to light...
Let the little children come to me...
Uh-oh
Place a hedge of protection around us all...
Thank you for gathering everyone together.
We're all keen to know why.
To hear the truth, which involves you all.
Your son, Simon.
Absent from the family tomb.
He died abroad.
But not in a car crash.
I've been informed that Simon's body wasn't repatriated because a Government department appropriated it.
What's this got to do wuith Audrey? Does Jago know the truth? This is none of your damn business! That's enough, St John! It's too late now.
Jago's a child.
Do you think we'd whant to burden him with the knowledge..,that his father...slashed his mother's throat before blowing his own brains out?
Bunty looked terrified.
Daddy?
Simon was MI6.
It was all handled very discreetly.
We never knew what happened to the bodies.
The curse of the Prydes.
It's a legend.
All legends have some truth, and your family has spent centuries covering up the curse of hereditary insanity.
Everybody knows the Prydes are as mad as a box of frogs.
Are you seriously suggesting that Audrey was murdered because she'd uncovered some imaginary curse?
I'm suggesting the curse is the reason why you attempted to murder your grandson.
'Why on earth would I lend you money?' Because you're going to be the fourth richest woman in the land.
And if you don't, I'll tell the inspector that you were with the butler's son when you said you were in the nursery.
It wasn't the shock of Bunty's love affair.
It was the knowledge that Jago didn't have an alibi.
How dare you insult Mummy like this! I insist you leave this castle immediately! Who would want to kill a child? Someone who loves him the most like Udolf's archer, who shot his mother to spare her torment.
Nathan frowned at Lavinia. If she had been honest from the forefront...
Branwen's torment would have been relatively short-lived.
But Jago's would have lasted a lifetime, incarcerated with lunatics.
Preposterous! Oh, do be quiet, St John! What choice did I have after what the boy did? Will somebody please tell me what you're all talking about? I'm so sorry, but it was Jago who killed Audrey.
In a final, merciful act of love.
What possible reason could He was your brother's son! You, of all people, should know that he didn't need a reason.
From the moment of Simon's birth, I knew that there was something missing.
An emptiness.
Call it a curse, if you like.
When he did what he did, it was almost predictable.
And after, when Jago came to us .
I saw, in an instant, he was the same.
He didn't need a reason to kill Audrey.
For all I know, she may have beat him at chess or taken the last scone at tea.
It was then Nathans keen ears heard the sound of movement behind the curtains.
He did have a reason.
What reason? Well, why don't you ask him yourself? You can come out now, Jago.
Oh, no.
Be my guest, Father.
I wouldn't want to spoil your moment of triumph.
Audrey found record of a secret marriage between Ralph Pryde and Violet Archer three months before she died in childbirth.
Your father wasn't born the wrong side of the blanket.
He was the Pryde's legitimate heir.
That's ridiculous! The priest that married them would have said something.
Father Dominic Gleave, buried August 28th, 1850, ten days after the wedding.
Poor old Diggers! I was winding her up, spooking her by messing up her stuff, and then she found a letter to my great-grandfather from some housemaid and went rummaging through all the records.
She wasn't exactly subtle about it.
Neither were you.
Nathan said angrily.
You left whisky on the desk when you tore the page out of the parish register.
That was careless.
You didn't kill her, Jago? What did you expect me to do? I did it for you, too, Cuz.
That piece of paper makes all of us nobodies.
So now all that's cleared up, will you please all line up, facing the wall? I'm ordering you, boy! Put down that bow! Quiet! Face the wall! Turn around! Get down! Nathan yelled
No, no, no! Don't worry.
It's a dud.
Thanks be to God.
Just to be on the safe side.
Nathan tossed the bomb out the window, where it then exploded
Felicity was on the grounds of the castle- she hadn't left yet from giving Alan his yearly influenza shot. If that petty-bomb hadn't killed Nathan, she would!
Jago! Nathan gasped realizing the boy would have tried to escape and find a way to get away, even at the cost of harming himself…
Jago! I thought you'd be here.
The murderer returns to the scene of the crime.
The master tactician withdraws to a height more easily defended.
I'll pick them off, one by one.
It's over, Jago.
The police are on their way.
It was all Diggles's fault.
She shouldn't have been so nosey.
And now here am I, between Scylla and Charybdis! Incarceration or death! On balance, suicide would be the more honourable way out.
Not in God's eyes.
I don't believe in a supreme being.
Nathans heart sank, remembering Felicity's words to him about salvation four months ago...
The only god my family worships is the god of pride.
And I'm sure Granny would approve, especially as she tried to kill me.
She had me there.
My money was on Bunty.
while the boy monologued, Nathan attempted to move closer… get him away from the ledge...
Take one more step and I'll jump! I'm sorry you heard about your parents like that.
Oh, I don't know.
I'd rather my father was a spy than a careless driver, even if he did kill my mother.
Remind me, Father.
What are the rules on lunatics and Hell?
Nathans heart sank again, as the boy slipped… he prayed desperately for the boy to come to Christ, even if he didnt die by falling...
Maybe the decision has been made for grinned nervously.
Don't let go! Nathan cried. He wasn't sure where Michael and Felicity were… would they be there in time?
How do you know I won't pull you down with me? Jego taunted.
Nathan saw through the ruse.
I'll take my chance, and I'm not alone.
Buddha says the secret of existence is to have no fear.
Never fear what will become of you.
Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
"No!" Nathan cried. Down below a woman screamed, but Nathans mind was too focused on Jego to realize the woman's identity…
"My lady! you really shouldnt be here... Sherwin caught up with Felicity just as Jego fell from the roof...
Sherwin buried her face in his coat as the boy fell...
Felicia sobbed and tore her face away from Michael immediately kneeling next to the boy "It's all right Jego, she whispered
"It's alright..the Lord is here and he's with you..." she made room for Nathan, quickly shaking her head. He nodded, addressing the boy in his final moments...
I'll soon know if there's a hell or not.
Hell is only the absence of God.
If you repent and accept Him, there will only be bliss for ever.
It sounds nice.
It's yours for the asking.
The boy struggled, slowly nodding his head "Your wife looks like an angel, covered in light like that...mm..."
Nathan looked at Felicity, a tearful smile on his face. He nodded his head.
Felicity laughed tearfully, tears spilling in her eyes.
FBFBFBFBFBFB
Jago died in the light of God.
Of that I am certain.
Thank you, Father.
Time to face the music, I think.
What end would confessing serve, Lavinia? Are you saying I shouldn't be held to justice? I'm saying no such thing.
Very well.
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
It is decades since I made my last, honest confession.
In addition to the attempted murder of my own flesh and blood, I am guilty of many things, including the sin of pride.
I fear this may take some time.
Take as much time as you need.
FB*LF*FB*LF*FB*LF
As they watched the newly wedded Archers flaunt about, Felicity ribbed Mrs. McCarthy by repeating every word she'd said over and over again…
How do you like Daddy and Danby - I mean Arthur - are being frightfully civilised.
The land's being sold to the tenants to pay off the death duties and the castle's being handed over to the National Trust, who'll let them stay on as sort of caretakers.
And even Granny seems to be somehow more at peace with herself, but only when she thinks we aren't looking.
Is it moist enough? Scrumptious! and six tiers.
I don't know if I mentioned it That happens to be one more than Princess Elizabeth's!
Felicity flushed when Nathan winked at her over his glasses. Perhaps when their time came, and should still Mrs. McCarthy be around, perhaps she wouldn't mind making a confectionate sweet to mark their special occasion?
Felicity subtly tilted her head to the left raising a questioning eyebrow. Nathan understood immediately and grinned like a little boy, his eyes shining with delight. Both took pity on her when it seemed no one was paying attention to the work she had done, and poor thing didn't receive the publicity she had sought before the murders… Nathan decided to make her feel better, as Felicity offered up a toast for such a delicious cake!
Outstanding work, Mrs McCarthy.
Outstanding!
LFLFLFLFLFLF
That night Felicity walked up the stairs into the attic part of the house, where all of her fathers old journals and the family photo albums were kept.
Blowing the dust off of one of the journals, Felicity noticed it was marked 1912, the year she was born.
Opening the book, her heart ached with a pang as she viewed her fathers neatly scrawled script. She opened to a page,
13, May 1914.
My Dearest Lydia,
it began
It has been nearly two years since you've been gone. Our darling little Felicity is now two years old, and is the spitting image of you. How my heart aches to look into her face and to see you all over again. Much time has passed, and our daughter is in desperate need of a mother. Part of me is at a loss to know what to do or where to look, for no one can take up your place in my heart, my love. someday, when our daughter is old enough, I will speak to her about you, and teach her all the things you longed for her to know. My former secretary Mrs. Agathe Seymore has recently been widowed, or so I'm told. To my knowledge she has no children, but she was there the night Felicity was born. I had hoped for a prospect much younger; someone that Lissie could grow to adore, but I'm afraid that time is of the essence. I will continue to pray on the matter and write to you when I have made my decision...
your Loving Thomas
Felicity suddenly felt her cheeks dampen with her tears. How she loved her father and missed him dearly; how she appreciated all that he done and sacrificed for her, since she was born...
Suddenly Felicity had an unexplainable urge to do some further digging. She wasn't quite sure what she was looking for, but she guessed she'd know when she found it...
16 April 1932
Dear Lydia,
I have about had it with Agathe and her lies! Her sneakiness, her deception, attempting to enforce her decision over the future of our daughter...our daughter! With every living breath I have in me I've grown to resent that woman; possibly since the moment we met. Theres just something about her that hasn't set well with me at all...
For example, as I wrote you last week, the company has been losing business. David has been more than generous to give me a financial loan which he insists is a gift. You know the generosity of my brother, my dear, and I pray, someday somehow I will be able to repay him for all that he has done. My now "dearly devoted" wife insists upon Felicity marrying a man that I've never met! She claims his name is Xander James Montague. He is a rich stockbroker; apparently he is a distant cousin of the Prince of Wales, but even his name gets me shutters and I haven't even met him yet!
Felicity giggled while reading her father's expressions of his annoyance. His rolling green eyes, much like Nathan's blue ones came forth to her mind in vivid view.
Between you and I, my dear, I have someone more suitable in mind for our Lissie. Granted he is a Catholic, and has his heart on joining the church... however, his gentle, quiet, humble heart is likely to be changed with much prayer. His name is Nathan Alexander Brown, and he is a former student of mine from Oxford. He's also a veteran of the first war; my dear you should see him with a sword, why Ive never seen such marksmanship!
Felicity laughed; Nathan had been quite skilled with a sword- her fiance had never told her that he had parried with her father!
Finding another journal, Felicity held her candle closer to the parchment of the paper since the writing was scrawled...
13 May 1937
Lydia
write in hurry
not much time
Xander come
I divorce Agathe
want to kill
should kill...for what done you
Scripture say 'Vengeance mine'
Nathan in hospital with leg wound
Lissie home, safe
upstairs resting
Felicity noticed the g was scrawled and tried to think back...had someone come into the house?
got to go
hear Montague in hall
Nathan and Lissie almost free
I love you my Lyddie
See you soon
Thomas
hear Montague in hall...Nathan and Lissie almost free...13 May 1937... divorce Agathe... want kill what done you...
Felicity gasped, holding her head, feeling dizzy. 13, May 1937... the day Father...
Father killed Xander! I saw him!
want to kill what done you...
Father had divorced Agathe when Felicity was 22 and married to Xander... but why should he want to kill her? Unless...
Felicity slumped to the floor, not hearing the shrieks of her betrothed, tearing his way up the attic stairs...
"Lissie?" Nathan said nervously, running his fingers through Felicity's hair.
"Lissie, what's the matter, darling? what is it?"
Felicity's eyes filled with tears, hoping the mother she never knew never felt any pain...
"Mother... my birth mother. Her name was Lydia"
Nathan nodded; he remembered Thomas speak devotedly of his first wife
"What about her, dearest?" Nathan asked, calmly running fingers through her long hair.
"She was murdered...by my stepmother! Agathe Seymore!"
Nathan winced, knowing there was nothing that could be done. Agathe Seymore- Windemere had died ten years before.
He shook his head sadly scooping Felicity up into his arms, and down the attic stairs to the living quarters of the house.
"Pride is a deadly sin, my dear." she nodded.
"And pride," he continued, cuddling her into his embrace in the rocking chair by the fire as he kissed her hair,
"comes before the fall..."
Read and Review!
(1) These books didn't exist, but I look forward to reading them :) I needed some literature my ladies could bond over. Check them out!
2 Fanny Derstain and Robert Camden are supposed through Claire Foy and Paul Sparks- Ill let yall figure out which show they played in together ;). ps they look jist as they did in the show, in Kembleford dress.
If I need to explain anything else, let me know ;)