Page 7 of Scarlett

The first time was right after her mother died. From her deathbed, her mother had confessed the identity of Scarlett’s father and had given her his address along with a letter from him inviting her to live there.

She and Lady Price walked through a gate to the front of the building where carriage drivers guided horses to pick up the families. As each departed, it became apparent Scarlett had been left behind.

She pretended not to notice and walked with Lady Price to the woman’s carriage. “Have a good day Lady Price. Thank you so much for coming.”

The woman looked over her shoulder. “Do you have a way home?”

“Yes, of course. The carriage is returning for me momentarily,” she lied. “We couldn’t all fit in one.”

After a bit of hesitation, Lady Price entered her coach. “If you’re sure. I could ask my driver to drop you by.”

“No, no, thank you. I’ll wait.” She waved the woman away and watched as the last of the people left. One by one the carriages departed until she stood alone on the side of the road.

A bitter taste filled her mouth and her chest tightened when absolute and total loneliness engulfed.

Scarlett began the trek toward the family home. It would take at least an hour for her to arrive as she doubted anyone would note her absence and send for her.

Others walked as well, although she was sure they lived much closer and had chosen to walk instead of ride to the funeral. Fortunately it wasn’t raining that day and although the wind was cool, the sun helped dispel some of it.

Whenever footsteps sounded behind her, she gripped her shawl tighter and walked faster. Having lost her reticule just weeks prior made her shiver at the thought of being accosted again.

Thankfully, a block later, the person who followed her turned a corner and didn’t continue behind.

She arrived at the modest, but well appointed two-story house. People milled in inside in the parlor, visible through the large front windows. Someone had draped a black cloth on the front door announcing the family’s mourning status.

Unsure of how to make an entrance, Scarlett hesitated just as a couple arrived.

“Good afternoon, miss,” the gentleman said tipping his hat. The woman smiled politely. “Are you a friend of the family?”

“More of an acquaintance really,” Scarlett replied walking up the steps with them. Hopefully the couple was well known by the family and would distract from her entrance.

The couple was greeted by one of Rose’s sisters and Scarlett skirted around them and headed to a hallway so to take the stairs up to her bedroom.

“Where have you been?” Nancy, one of her stepsisters appeared through a doorway. “We waited a bit before leaving, but you never came.”

Clearly it was a lie, but Scarlett let it pass. “I apologize. I thought I was right behind you. I had to walk home.”

Nancy’s gaze roamed over her as if assessing what to say next. “Mother is in her bedroom. She wishes to speak to you.”

It felt as if a stone sunk in her stomach and Scarlett could only nod. “I will go to her immediately.” Scarlett hurried up the steps only to slow upon reaching the second floor. Every step to Rose’s bedroom echoed in the hard thumps of her heart. What would happen to her now?

The curtains were drawn and her father’s wife lay on the bed propped up by pillows. She offered a weak smile when Scarlett entered. “Ah, there you are.” She motioned her forward. “Come, I must speak to you.”

Scarlett sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Sad.” Rose sighed. “I will miss him so.”

The woman lifted a handkerchief to her eyes. “I’m sure this is frightening for you dear. However, don’t fear. Your father made allowances once realizing how ill he was. There is a small amount put aside for you.”

“Thank you.” Scarlett suspected her stepsiblings knew nothing about the account set up for her. When hearing the amount, she felt a bit of relief. It would not be enough to live off of for very long, but enough to get established in a small apartment and see about finding work to support herself.

“What about you? What do you plan to do?” Scarlett hoped to remain there at the house with her stepmother since all of her children were married.

Her stepmother’s lips lifted. “I don’t wish to remain here alone. I know it’s silly, but I’m scared and a friend of the family has offered a very nice sum for the house. It has been set for a while now. He and Desmond had already discussed it, and the transfer of funds has been made.”

At mentioning her husband, tears spilled down her stepmother’s cheeks. “I am so utterly sad and worried about your future.”

It occurred to Scarlett that she didn’t feel sadness as much as regret. It was understandable of course that she’d not gotten to know her father as much as she’d wanted. His indiscretion in having an affair with her mother was an embarrassment to his wife and children. That they did not accept her as part of the family was also understandable. They’d barely met her.