“Father, he is my friend. I know he only told her because he is in love with her too. You cannot blame a fellow for that.”
“I can, and I will.”
* * *
Aunt Agatha and Chilton were anticipating their return to London. The rest of the family was off for the afternoon at the memorial service and, as hot as it was, Agatha and Chilton did as little as possible, ringing the bell frequently for another round of refreshing iced teas.
“Are you packed?” Agatha asked.
“I packed this morning while it was still relatively cool,” Chilton responded. “Iknewit was going to be scorching today.”
“And how did you know that?” Agatha asked, fanning herself with her handkerchief, being too hot and too lazy to fetch her fan.
“I could tell by the clouds and the birds.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“But I was right was I not?”
“Well, you can say that after the fact, but there is no way to verify that unless you told me of your predictionbefore.”
“Humph. Well, I did, but you were not listening to me. We were on the balcony and a flock of birds dipped and swooped and that, coupled with the color of clouds, I just knew… I said, ‘It is going to be a hot one tomorrow.’”
“Such nonsense. You never told me that.”
“I most certainly did. But you mostly ignore anything I say because you always know it all.”
She sighed and took another swig of tea and held the cold glass to her forehead. “Well, I still need to pack. But I have no energy.” She closed her eyes then said, “I expect the London house will be all closed up and hot as an empty biscuit tin.”
“Well, I am not helping.”
“With what?”
“Your packing. If you pay no attention to me when I give you valuable information, then I cannot help it.”
“Let it go, Chilton. You are just being foolish now.”
Chapter 26
Dinner at Creassey that evening was light—cold chicken and salad. No one had that much of an appetite. Mother, Harry, and Maria had had plenty to eat at the reception, so it was only Agatha and Chilton who consumed all the food on their plates.
“I am going up to pack,” Aunt said, standing after dinner was over. “No coffee for me this evening. It is still way too hot.”
“Good night then, Aunt, I am going to retire to my rooms early too,” Harry said, also standing.
“And me as well,” Maria said. “It has been an exhausting day.”
“Was the ceremony nice?” Aunt asked.
Leah responded. “It was dreadful. Insipid music, the vicar was raspy-voiced and there was not a breath of fresh air in the church, even with the windows wide open. I hope our journey tomorrow will not be as hot.”
“Well, you should ask Chilton. He seems to know all about predicting the weather,” she said snidely.
He stood and ignored her. “I am going for a walk. It is far too close inside. If there is any fresh air to be had, I am determined to find it.”
* * *
There was still a little glow in the night sky as Chilton went outside for his walk. The stars were mostly out, and he stood on the entryway stairs getting a sense if there was a breeze stirring. He could not feel anything close to the house so he ventured into the garden. But still, he could not find a breeze. So he headed out of the garden and into one of the open fields. As he started to walk, he looked up at the house and saw Agatha standing on the balcony of her chambers.
