After discussing her employment contract and details, Mr. Timmons led Avaline to Lady Delilah's playroom. It was larger than Avaline's bedroom, filled with books, dolls, and accessories for those dolls. As Avaline walked in, Delilah jumped down from the couch where she'd been reading. Sir Myla stood to one side and greeted Avaline with a bow.
"Is it my turn now?" Delilah asked excitedly.
And so it begins. Smiling, Avaline curtsied to Delilah. The young blood-born grabbed Avaline's hand.
"Sir Arnie is over here."
When Delilah pulled at her hand, Avaline didn't move. Like before, Avaline curtsied. Delilah frowned.
"Is the young lady shy around strangers?" Avaline asked.
With her cheeks puffed out, Delilah stepped back and curtsied. As she did, Avaline grabbed Delilah's hand. Squealing, Delilah pulled Avaline to a large desk at the back of the room. Here, Sir Arnie was dressed in a fabric that was supposed to be a gown. A sewing kit with an extensive amount of thread, needles, ribbons, and buttons sat beside the bear.
"What happened to Sir Arnie?" Avaline picked up the detached toy's arm.
Delilah crossed her arms. "My brother broke him."
Avaline glanced at Sir Myla. The knight couldn't meet her gaze.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to," Avaline said with a gentle voice. "Things get old, and they tear more easily." She looked at Sir Arnie. "Something tells me you've had Sir Arnie for a long time."
Delilah's warm brown eyes glowed red. "I don't need you to be on my brother's side!"
Avaline prickled at the tone. This was not going to be easy. Instead of responding, Avaline threaded a needle.
"Big brothers tend to cause trouble even if they don't know it," she said. Setting the needle aside, she stuffed Sir Arnie's arm with a handful of feathers from the sewing kit. "I have a big brother, too. You see, my sister and I loved tea time. We had this cute tea set that we bought. Then, one day, after we were finished playing, my brother tried to help us tidy up."
Delilah leaned forward. "What happened?"
"He broke the cups," Avaline said. "My sister and I thought he did it on purpose. He was always playing around, teasing us. We were sure he wanted to ruin our things."
"That sounds like big brothers."
"I thought so too," Avaline said. She picked up the needle and started attaching the arm to the toy bear. Her fingers worked quickly with precision. "However, I found out that he really was trying to help. Mother was on her way back and would be upset that my sister and I weren't done studying before playing. My big brother wanted to help us tidy up before she found out."
Delilah's eyes stopped glowing. "Then what happened?"
Avaline smiled. "We were all punished." Finished with the bear, she presented it to Delilah. "So, you see. Big brothers are a mystery, but they have good hearts."
"Sir Arnie!" Delilah snatched the bear from her hands and hugged it to her chest. "Thank you!"
Chuckling, Avaline tidied up the sewing kit. "Your brother asked me to come visit you. Will that be alright with you?"
Delilah's smile faltered. "I-I don't mind."
"He wants me to help you," Avaline continued. She leaned closer. "I think he's worried about you."
Delilah nodded. "Okay."
Smiling Avaline straightened. "I won't be able to stay any longer. I promised my younger siblings to spend time with them."
Delilah's eyes widened. "Will you bring them with you?"
"Shall I ask?"
"Yes!"
Smiling, Avaline curtsied. "Then, perhaps they'll be with me when I return."
***
Avaline returned home in time, just as her siblings had started waking. Judging by the grandfather clock by the door, they would still be in their rooms dressing. Lottie met her at the stairs. Together, she and Avaline tiptoed upstairs.
"Did anyone notice my absence?"
Lottie shook her head. "Will you be resting?"
A large yawn escaped Avaline. "A few hours. Tell my siblings I'm feeling under the weather. Nothing serious. I only need more sleep."
Lottie nodded.
As they reached Avaline's door, Vivian came down the stairs. Her attire was more modest with a brown skirt and a pale rose blouse. Her hat was already secured on her head. The wide brim would conceal her features from a distance. The two sisters looked at each other.
"You're up early," Vivian said.
"As are you."
Dismissing Lottie, Avaline took Vivian's hand.
"I've secured a job at Nightingale Manor."
Vivian's eyes widened. "What? As a maid?"
Avaline licked her lips. "A governess."
Vivian squeezed her arm. "You? You're not qualified. There are plenty of others with certifications and pedigrees."
Avaline's hope faltered. She expected the reality, but not from her sister's lips. Her face warmed.
"Teaching her how to greet others and how to sew doesn't necessarily require a pedigree." Avaline stepped closer. "Besides, I'm sure the child doesn't have many her age. I thought perhaps bringing Anna and Brian with me might allocate some time for everyone else."
"Are you sure it's not because a certain lord caught your eye?" Vivian wiggled her eyebrows.
Avaline clenched her jaw. "Sister. Lord Nightingale is my employer. It would be unprofessional to take a job simply because of looks."
Vivian smiled. "Dear sister, I never said it was Lord Nightingale."
Avaline's face burned. "Wh-where are you off to in such a hurry? You were gone yesterday as well."
"To the bank," she said. "I've picked up more shifts. I'll return by mid-afternoon."
With an air kiss, Vivian hurried down the stairs. Shaking her head, Avaline sought refuge in her chambers. Vivian's words prickled at her chest. Yes, there were more qualified women for the job. Lord Nightingale would surely have known this. So, why offer her the job? Was it only because Delilah had insisted upon it? Or could there be something more?
***
Someone screamed.
Avaline sat upright in her bed, looking around. Had she imagined it? Her pulse jumped in her throat. Another scream. Avaline tumbled off the bed and rushed out of her room. Who was it? Was it the twins?
In front of her, Lottie's steps pounded up the stairs in front of her.
"Who screamed?" Avaline asked.
Lottie stopped, breathless. "The - the madam," she began.
A cold shiver prickled at the base of her neck. Avaline didn't wait for the rest of the sentence. She ran past Lottie. What was wrong with her mother? Was she hurt? Fearing the worst, Avaline reached the bedroom. Vivian waited outside, crying. Avaline rushed to her side. When did she get back from work?
"What's happened?"
Vivian looked up at Avaline with bloodshot eyes. "She's uh, she stared . . . throwing things and uh, Charles, he uh - "
Something shattered inside the room. Vivian flinched, shaking. Avaline's mouth went dry. She balled her hands into fists before relaxing them again.
"Charles is in there?" Avaline asked.
Vivian stared ahead, hugging herself. Avaline grabbed her shoulders.
"Vivian! Is Charles in there?"
She looked at her with round eyes, nodding. Avaline's lower lip trembled. Vivian's skin was clammy against her hands or were those her own? Lottie came up the stairs behind Avaline.
"Take Vivian to her room," Avaline instructed. "Call Dr. Howard. Where's Marie?"
"Jonna took her," Lottie said. "She, Marie, she got hurt and -"
Avaline's stomach twisted further. Her breathing hitched.
"Call Dr. Howard," Avaline repeated. "Tell him to bring a sedative." To Vivian, she said, "Have Elaine and their tutor, Lady Margot, stay with the twins. Don't let them come up here."
Taking a deep breath, Avaline opened the door and went inside. Broken vases were scattered around the floor. Pillows and chairs had been thrown. Charles was by the fireplace, guarding it.
Their eyes met.
"Avaline, get out," he said.
Then, she looked at her mother, and her heart broke. Madam Olivia's once neatly braided hair was now a wild mane as someone had pulled it free. Her nightgown was pulled down on one shoulder, exposing her shoulder. Her gaze passed over Avaline, and she didn't recognize her.
"Mother?" Avaline cleared her throat. "Charles, how long has she been like this?"
"I came in after lunch," he said. "I tried singing her to sleep, but I think the lullaby reminded her of Father. She got hysterical."
Avaline clenched her skirt between her fingers. "Are you hurt?"
"No, Marie had hot tea spilled on her. I didn't want Mother grabbing anything from the fireplace."
"Dr. Howard is on his way. I've sent for him."
"Ava," he began.
She gave him a look. He grabbed the fireplace poker and moved it further away.
Avaline squeezed her hands together, trying to stop them from shaking. Right now, she needed to make sure Mother didn't hurt herself.
"Mother." She walked forward. "I'm Avaline." She stopped and waited for Madam Olivia to respond, but to no avail.
"Mother," she repeated. "Do you know who I am?"
Madam Olivia turned to the voice. She approached, whispering words only she could hear.
"Mother?"
Madam Olivia grabbed Avaline's arms. Avaline froze, trying not to flinch away. Her vision blurred as she saw the clarity in her mother's eyes.
"It's me, Avaline."
"A-Ava?"
She smiled. "It's me." As Avaline pulled her closer, she draped an arm around her mother's shoulders. "It's a bit cold here." Her chin trembled as she smiled. Clearing her throat, Avaline straightened her mother's nightgown.
Charles grabbed the fallen pillows and returned them to their spots. He stayed near the fireplace watching the two women.
"Let's get you to bed," Avaline said. "Have you rested today?"
Slowly, Avaline walked her to the bed and sat down beside her. Avaline carefully inspected her mother's hands. While she didn't see any immediate injuries, she'd have to wait for Dr. Howard to arrive.
"I was - " Madam Olivia suddenly said. "Looking for - for my . . . Nathaniel."
Hearing her father's name, Avaline's back stiffened. She looked away, blinking back tears. Charles approached the bed and knelt before Madam Olivia.
"Mother, Father isn't here."
"Where is he?"
Avaline tried to dislodge the lump in her throat by swallowing. It didn't help. Her mother needed to stay calm. She gave her brother a look, but Charles didn't pay attention.
"I want to see him," she continued.
Avaline rubbed her mother's hands, trying to warm them up. What could she say?
"Where is he?" Madam Olivia's pitch got higher.
Avaline rubbed her back. "Father, he, he had to leave for a while."
"When is he coming back?"
There was no way Avaline could tell her what had happened. Charles sat next to her mother on the bed. Avaline grabbed his arm.
"He'll be gone for a while," Avaline said. "But, do you remember what he would always say?" At her silence, she continued. "Distance is but a word. When Sol shines upon you, so does my warmth. When Luna graces our sky, I lie beside you in shadow. My, my love is everlasting."
Sniffing, Avaline wiped her cheeks.
"Dr. Howard is here," Charles said.
Avaline turned. The doctor smiled through his panting breath. Lottie stood behind him.
Charles grabbed Madam Olivia's hands. "Mother, do you remember Dr. Howard? He's going to help you rest."
Trying not to disturb her further, Charles and Avaline moved away. Dr. Howard stepped into the room. Charles placed his arm around Avaline's shoulders and led her away from the room. As Dr. Howard started examining Madam Olivia, Avaline pressed her hand against her mouth.
"Get more rest," Charles said. "I'll take it from here."
Wiping the rest of her tears, Avaline nodded. Charles returned to the room and closed the door. Only Lottie remained the same in the hallway.
Avaline cleared her throat. "How's Marie?"
"Lady Vivian is taking care of her."
"Let me know if anything else happens."
"Yes, ma'am."
As Lottie hurried away, Avaline leaned against the wall. Her legs gave out, and she slid to the floor. She pressed her hands against her mouth as the sobs choked her.