Page 68 of A Rogue to Reform
Mrs. Kerr had stopped speaking, instead praying without stopping until the police arrived again. This time, they wished to ask more intrusive questions for which it was only Felicity’s parents that sat with her as she spoke to them.
“Do they not wish to speak to me?” Hannah asked. “What can they wish to ask that I cannot be privy to?”
Felicity wondered if perhaps there was more of a reason than robbery for the murder. Perhaps there was more to Mr. Kerr than they’d been aware of.
“I’m sure it’s just perfunctory, since she is his wife.”
After the police left, Mrs. Kerr was paler and sat at a chair wiping her eyes. Felicity’s father handed her a glass of brandy.
“Drink, Margaret, it will make you feel better.”
She did without argument.
“I suppose once this is all sorted, we can discuss making arrangements.” Her mother, always ready and first to volunteer to organize every function, said. Felicity’s heart squeezed at the forlorn look of loss in both her best friend’s and her mother’s gazes.
“Hannah, do you wish to go to bed and rest?” Felicity waited, and when Hannah nodded, they went upstairs.
Felicity went downstairs at her and Evan’s house and into the sitting room. She was greeted by Henry, Miles, and Evan all sitting in silence. Each with a brandy snifter in hand, they all seemed lost in thought. The occurrence of the day obviously was beyond words.
Felicity left them to their own devices and walked around the house to see what progress had been made. The dining room was almost complete. She peered up at the ceiling, noting it had been completely replastered. The only thing left was finishing the wallpapering and drapes.
“What are you doing?” Evan asked, coming up behind her and hugging her close. “You should prepare for bed.”
Felicity turned in his arms, finally allowing herself to cry. “I cannot bear my dear friend hurting so. Why would anyone kill her father?”
“I do not know. But I do know that you must remain strong for Hannah. She will need you.”
Nodding, she wiped at her eyes. “How is Henry?”
“He is here because he needs to talk about it, to go over how this came to be.” Evan guided her to the doorway. “I will walk with you upstairs and instruct Ana to see about you. Rest. I will be up later.” Upon entering their bedroom, he gave her a hug and kissed her gently. “Rest, darling.”
Felicity could not fathom going through tough times like this without Evan’s strength. She was so very fortunate.
While she slept, Evan climbed into bed and pulled her close. Death did that, she supposed, snuggling into her husband.
It brought the living closer.
Epilogue
The fact the morning was brighter than the days before annoyed Hannah. Her swollen eyes could barely stand daylight, but less the day being so sunny.
Somehow, she’d managed to make it through her father’s funeral services without dissolving into a puddle of tears and grief.
Throughout the entire process, her dear friend Felicity had never left her side.
It was strange that the terrible murder of her father had somehow brought her and the devilishly handsome Henry to spend time together, each trying to figure out what to do next.
After the funeral, people came and went to pay respects. A ridiculous thing, she considered, to have to entertain at a time like this.
Thankfully, Felicity’s mother was magical when it came to putting things together and had taken care of all that was needed.
In all probability, Felicity’s parents were paying for everything, as her family had little means, especially now that the tea shop, where her father had been killed, was closed.
The din of the quiet conversations of all the people made her ears ring. How she wished everyone would go away and leave her to grieve.
“Come, let us get a breath of fresh air,” Felicity said, taking her hand.
Once outside, Hannah winced at the brightness of the sun. The warmth on her skin, however, was welcome. The house felt unreasonably cold as of late. Hannah was at a loss as to what to say to Felicity. Thankfully, her friend understood, and they sat in silence on a bench.
