The room felt cold and empty. Kate couldn’t control the terrifying premonition that everyone was drifting away. The moorings to each other were fraying. Lives had been irrevocably changed. Everything felt different.
The dreadful sense was much stronger now. They had all just returned from the cemetery where Imogen was buried in a family plot alongside their mother and the servants who had given their lives in defense of the estate. This had been the first visit to the grave since the burial service, and it was so much worse for everyone. The reality that poor Imogen was gone and lying under the earth was undeniable now, and no longer obscured by the hectic events of a funeral. They knew now there was no magic that would bring her back to them. There were no miracles to be had. Kate’s heart felt like it had stopped beating even though it rhythmically thudded beneath her breast. She was numb and disconnected. She hadn’t been able to conjure any interest in working in her laboratory, which always brought her peace during troubled times. The reminders of her failure were thick there.
Imogen had gone through so much. She had transformed from a rebellious younger sister to a frightening monster to a stalwart protector. Despite the darkness that had enveloped her, she had bravely stepped out into the light. Imogen had embraced a new life no matter what trauma it threw at her.
Tears of pride welled in Kate’s eyes. By her actions Imogen had changed all of them, from the cheerfully lonely Simon, to the wild Charlotte, to the brooding Malcolm, and even to Kate herself. Sometimes it was the journey that made the impact rather than the end. Her sister had shown them the way, and, by God, Kate would follow in her example.
She brushed her eyes with her sleeve and strode inside. She went over to Simon and curled up next to him. His arm did not instinctively curve around her shoulders. Charlotte looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes and Kate extended her arm toward the child, inviting her onto her lap.
Charlotte immediately came over, laying her head against Kate’s chest.
“I miss her,” was her sob.
“Of course you do. We all do. We always will. Family must never be forgotten.”
“Family?” Charlotte’s haunted gaze darted fearfully to Malcolm, as if expecting him at any second to pick up a bag and walk into the fog.
Kate held the child close. “Yes. You are as much a sister to her as I am. As you are to me. And for that reason, she would want you to have this.” From her sweater pocket, Kate produced the little hedgehog. Charlotte’s tears fell harder, but she snatched up the little creature and placed her cheek against its prickly quills. Kate kissed the top of Charlotte’s head.
Simon’s arm now slipped around her and his hand gave her a gentle squeeze. It gave her hope that he was listening. Taking a deep breath, she regarded those in the room. “I am adding a new wing to Hartley Hall. Everyone has a home here. A place to call his or her own.”
Malcolm began, “I don’t think that’s—”
Kate cut him off. “Don’t you dare. We haven’t gone through all of this to scatter now. The original Order shattered because they were petty and self-absorbed, more consumed with abusing the power given to them. Even Pendragon.”
When Simon raised a cynical brow, Kate scowled at him. “Pendragon was perhaps the worst. He doubted the people he had once loved, people he should have considered family. Instead he chose to believe those who were callous and manipulative. That was his downfall. Order reigns when it is built on trust and love, not the lust for power and glory.”
Simon shook his head and glanced away. “I loved Nick and look what that wrought.”
Charlotte looked up from Kate’s lap. “I don’t understand what happened to him. Was Mr. Nick a bad man? He was grouchy, but he seemed to like us. Most of us. Wasn’t he your friend, Mr. Simon? Why did he go away?”
“He was my friend, Charlotte.” Simon took the girl’s hand. He ran his thumb over her soft palm as if marveling that her hands were still so clean. “He wasn’t bad. He just couldn’t stay.”
“Oh.” The girl sighed. “He was teaching me to play cards.”
“Cards?” Kate asked with bemused annoyance.
Charlotte looked worried. “He told me not to tell. That I shouldn’t be gambling at my age.”
Malcolm gave the girl a hard look. “Did he teach you how to cheat?”
“A little.”
The Scotsman shook his head angrily. “Glad he’s gone.”
“Charlotte.” Penny snorted an uncontrolled laugh, “Mr. Malcolm doesn’t believe in cheating.”
“Oh, I can teach you!” Charlotte exclaimed.
Malcolm grunted. Penny edged a bit closer to him as the dark shroud around him faded.