“He was only a year older than your mother,” Una said softly, “I—well, I’mfrightfullysorry, Pip.”
Una’s apology startled Pip out of his gloomy reverie.He’d felt sullen enough towards her until a moment ago, but still, he didn’t see how any ofthiscould be her fault.“What for?”
“It just seems—unfair,” she said, biting her lip.“There’s always been so much talk of how unfair it is that the estate couldn’t be left to us girls.But you were here all along, too.It’s not your fault my brother didn’t have the backbone to marry your mother.If he had everything would have been different.”
There was a pause, in which Pip felt ill at the contrast between what his life could have been and what it was.
“It seems just as unfair to me that—well, thatyoucouldn’t inherit either,“ she finished.
Una put her hand over his very gently.
“Yes,” he said, despite the lump in his throat.“It does.”
They looked at the photograph together in silence.
“Do you think—do I look like him?”he asked shakily at last.
“Perhaps.The hair is similar.And Lily is so fair, so you must have got it from your father.”Una paused.“Don’t you think you ought to tell your mother that we guessed it?”
Pip felt a flair of panic.
“I suppose it would be very painful to bring up,” she said sympathetically, “but it might relieve her mind.”
Pip was surprised by the notion that there might be something to resolve on his mother’s part, and he let it slide away quickly.His mother was happy.Anyone could see that.It was Pip that still suffered from the consequences of other people’s actions.
“Can I keep it?”Pip asked, holding up the tintype.
“Of course!”Una looked at him, an uncertain smile wavering on her lips.“Have you thought what it means?If we’re right about this?”
Pip blinked.
“It means I’m your aunt,” said Una.
She looked very grave, as if she took her new avuncular responsibilities terribly seriously.
Una really is rather a dear,Pip thought to himself.Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad staying at the abbey with her.At least his stepfather would have less opportunities to press him to take a job at the limeworks.
“Oh, I almost forgot!”Pip said, patting his pockets.“Oolong dropped this on my foot last night.”He produced a small key.Oolong raised his head for an instant.It seemed to tire him, for he dropped it again at once.
“Oh,” Una breathed.“Thank heavens.I thought that man had taken it.”She stroked Oolong admiringly.“Oh, you clever, clever dragon!”
Pip felt a little jealous.“Well, you needn’t worry about that anymore.I’ve come to stay here at the abbey for a few nights—just until you feel more secure.”
“Oh!”Una exclaimed in delight.“How sweet of you to think of it!”
Pip’s cheeks went hot.
“Will you—will you do something else for me, Pip?”Una asked.“Will you just go and see the relic if still there in the box?I don’t think I can face the muniments room for a few days.”
Pip nodded eagerly.“Of course!”
“You are the veriest dear, Pip,” Una said gratefully.“Here’s the key to the door; you’ll need it as well as the lockbox key.”She fondled the dragon’s ears thoughtfully.“I thought Oolong was trying to fetch Janushek to help me last night—but perhaps it was you.”
“Perhaps it was,” he said, ignoring Oolong’s expression.
Chapter fourteen
Ormdale
