The English Descendants

3

When Edith and Alan arrive in Buffalo, he takes her to his mother's home. Mrs McMichael is as cool as she has always been toward Edith and Alan knows she cannot stay there. She is far too needling about what happened at Allerdale Hall that has separated her from the dashing Sir Thomas, intended suitor to Eunice. It is at supper their first night back that Alan realizes how protective of Edith he has grown in the past months.

"Eunice, darling, are you still jealous of Edith? She comes back so soon after being married. Tell me...what happened? Did he leave you once he had your father's fortune, or did you choose to return on your own because you simply couldn't stand his sister?"

Edith stares, "You don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

"He's dead."

Mrs McMichael gasps a little and Eunice grows a little pale as her mother asks, "What happened?"

"Lucille killed him. And stabbed Alan. And nearly killed me. Eunice should be glad he chose me for the waltz. I doubt she would have survived." Eunice's eyes look as big as tea saucers.

"So you're a..."

"Widow. Yes."

"Oh you poor dear, you're far too young to be widowed. You'll never find love now."

Alan wants to launch himself across the table and shake his mother. He wants to shout at her that yes, Edith will find love, and he knows exactly where. He slowly sets down his fork realizing just what thoughts have crossed his mind, something he has known for years but never so clearly. He waits for Edith's response, hoping he can find a way they can both gracefully leave.

"I had love, Mrs. McMichael. And I'm sure I will find it again. But next time, I hope no one gets stabbed in the face. Or anywhere else, really."

Alan sees the little twitch at the corner of Edith's lips and he knows she is happily horrifying them with these little details. There is a glint in her eyes, a mischief he recognizes all too well.

"Stabbed in the face?" Mrs McMichael asks, her hand rising to her cheek.

"Yes. Lucille stabbed Thomas a few times, but it was the one just below his eye that killed him. Of course, Alan can attest that any stabbing is a bad stabbing."

"Oh yes. Being stabbed in the ribs isn't exactly pleasant."

"Nor is the recovery."

"No. But I did recover."

"Unlike Thomas. Or Lucille, but she wasn't stabbed."

Mrs. McMichael wants to be too disturbed to ask, but something in her prompts her to speak anyway, "How did she die?"

"She was trying to kill me with the same cleaver she killed her mother with. I took a shovel to her head."

Eunice drops her silverware and flees from the table. Mrs McMichael excuses herself and follows. When they are out of earshot, Edith starts quietly giggling. Alan thinks at first she might be crying but then notices that she is smiling.

"Edith, you're wicked."

"I know. But it was just too easy... Consider it payback for all the years of torment from your sister and her friends. I hope they'll leave me alone now."

"I'm sure they will. Oh. There was a letter today from Mr Ferguson."

"The attorney?"

"Yes."

"Did you read it?"

"Only because I feared he would have more bad news for you. But I don't think it is. He heard we had landed and sent word that he has your crates from England. And he has been investigating the Sharpe family accounts. He asked that I relay these things to you."