Page 6 of Scarlett

Chapter Three

Sorrowful sobs echoedin the large hall during Desmond Franklin’s funeral. Scarlett watched from a distance as her father’s wife, Rose Franklin, torn apart by grief, could barely stand. Scarlett’s stepsisters and stepbrother walked beside the sorrow filled woman to the open casket. Thankfully, her stepbrother managed to keep the poor woman upright.

Once there, wails erupted, sending tears to sting Scarlett’s eyes. She blinked them away. There were quite a few people in attendance, none of which she knew. Although not part of society, her stepfather, an actuary, had been well regarded and held in high esteem by some of the wealthy families of Philadelphia.

There were representatives of his client’s families along with family friends and his colleagues.

No one cried except for his immediate family.

Scarlett found she couldn’t cry either. A deep sorrow weighed over her like a sodden blanket. Although she’d barely known her father for a year, it still hurt to lose him so soon.

Finally they were instructed to exit through a side door and out to the graveyard followed by the guests. Scarlett followed behind the family. None seemed to notice her presence.

She’d had little interaction with the grieving woman since her father’s death just three days earlier. Once her stepsiblings arrived, they made it crystal clear she was not considered part of the family.

Lady Price appeared at her elbow and weaved her arm through hers. “How are you holding up dear?”

Scarlett wanted to lean on the woman in relief. Finally she had someone to speak to. “I’m well. Thank you so much for coming.”

“Of course I came. I heard just yesterday afternoon. I’m terribly sorry Scarlett. So soon after losing your mother, to have to go through this is horrible.”

Scarlett could barely muster a nod. “Mother passed just a little over a year ago. Now both are gone.” She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do or how to act now.”

Taking her elbow, Lady Price guided Scarlett to a nearby bench where they could sit and watch the proceedings from the shade of a large elm.

“What do you mean? Have things changed between you and Rose?”

For a long moment they remained silent as Rose and her children were escorted to chairs under an awning. No one looked for Scarlett and she realized for the most part, she’d not been introduced to most of the people there. Only a couple women knew of her existence and they barely spared her a glance.

“I have not had the opportunity to speak to her. My stepsisters and stepbrother arrived just before father died. They have remained by her side to comfort her since. I--I’ve been...”

“Ostracized?” Lady Price provided.

Scarlett gasped softly. “No... of course not. It’s just a horrible time and I’m sure they are not leaving me out of things on purpose.”

They were excluding her, but Scarlett refused to harbor ill will toward them. They’d only met once since she’d arrived. Her father had introduced her to them as a distant cousin.

That she was a product of her father’s infidelity was kept a secret.

Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Rose, her father’s wife, had pulled her aside to inform Scarlett she was aware of how she came to be. She was a kind woman, who upon learning of her mother’s death, had insisted she come to live there.

“Besides,” Scarlett whispered. “They think me to be a long lost cousin, not a sibling.”

Lady Price didn’t say anything. Instead she remained sitting beside Scarlett as prayers were said and the casket lowered into the earth. People milled for only a few moments, but once having said their condolences, they left promising to stay in touch as people often did on occasions like this.

Her family walked by and once again, none looked toward were she now stood.

“I suppose it’s time to head back. I want to ensure the food is ready for whoever stops by afterward.” Scarlett smoothed her skirts, her gaze moving toward the grave. “I wish to have had more time with him.”

They continued on toward the front of the house behind guests. “It’s understandable,” Lady Price said. “However, I do not agree to the way you were treated today. Even if just a distant cousin, you should’ve be included.”

This was not the time to confess she’d been purposely left out of family discussions and such. Just the night before at the dinner table, they’d all stopped talking when she’d entered to eat. After a few nibbles, she excused herself and returned to her room.

Her stomach knotted in the knowledge that soon she’d be without a place to live. It was only a matter of time before someone approached and asked her to leave. Of that she had little doubt. But where would she go?

Other than an aunt who lived somewhere in the south, she didn’t have any relatives. Her mother had made only a few friends over the years. Some acquaintances would extend hospitality if she needed it. However, it would be too much to ask that she be allowed to live there indefinitely. Her inheritance left by her mother was barely enough to live off of for more than a few months, if she found a very humble place to live.

Scarlett had never lived by herself and for the second time in her life, she felt utterly alone.