15.07

bChapter /bb15 /b

bFather /bbBenedict /bbgave /bba /bgentle, bhelpless /bsmile. “Oh, you silly girl, you misunderstood bwhat /bbyour /bbaunt /bbmeant/b. She just wanted to bsay /bwe weren’t prepared to have you overb. /bbJustin /bbtold /bbus /byou wandered around the garden for quite a while earlier–clearly, we weren’t good hosts today. Please forgive us for that, will you?”

bJustin /bleaned in and whispered, “Edith, rx. It’s just family here.”

Sarah chimed in, “We’ve already seen off the other guests. Now it’s just you, and we bcan /bfocus on making you feel at home. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? What would you like? I’ll make it myself!”

Justin chuckled softly and leaned close to Edith, lowering his voice. “You know, it’s a rare treat for my mom to cook. You should take her up on it.”

Edith waved her hands in embarrassment. “Oh, that’s really not necessary, Mrs. Hawksley. I only stopped by to wish Mr. Hawksley a happy birthday and drop off the gift my mom and I picked out.”

Father Benedict offered Sarah a reassuring smile. “You’re too eager, dear. Can’t you tell? Edith is still as shy as she was when she was little. Give her a few more visits and she’ll warm up. No need to insist on dinner tonight.”

Sarah relented with a lightugh. “Alright, alright, she’s shy. I won’t be that overbearing olddy who won’t let you leave. Justin, why don’t you open the gifts?”

Jayne had chosen a pair of jade ornaments–perhaps not the most expensive kind, but still of exquisite quality.

Justin smiled, running his fingers lightly over the jade. “Mrs. Sumner, this is far too generous.”

Compared to Jayne’s elegant gift, Edith’s present seemed much more personal, almost the sort of thing a close friend would give rather than a guest at a formal

gathering.

Edith felt a flush of embarrassment. She realized, btedly, that a bottle of perfume was perhaps too casual for the asion. How could she have thought it was appropriate?

But to her surprise, Justin seemed genuinely delighted. He opened the perfume right away, spritzed it onto his wrist, and raised it to his nose, inhaling deeply. His expression softened. “This is wonderful. I haven’t smelled anything this nice in a long time. You put a lot of thought into this, Edith. I really like it.”

15:08

He bdidn’t /bhold back bhis /bbappreciation /bbfor /bbthe /bbgift /bat allb, /bband /bbthat /bbmade /bbEdith /bbfeel /bmuch bmore /bbat /beaseb, /b

bPerhaps /bbher /bbpresent /bwasn’t as elegant as the others, but in the end, what mattered bwas /bbthat /bbthe /brecipient liked it.

Since she wouldn’t be staying for dinner, Edith knew she shouldn’t linger. After a few more polite wordsb, /bshe made her farewells.

Sarah gave Justin a little wink. “Justin, why don’t you walk Edith out?”

bJustin /bput the gifts away and, with an easy motion, took Edith’s hand. “Come on, I’ll see byou /bout.”

Edith couldn’t help but nce at his wrist where it peeked from his shirt cuff, the veins standing out in a way that was oddly mesmerizing.

She followed Justin out to the car, and together they drove slowly around the garden and out of the Hawksley estate. Just moments ago, the house had been bustling, but now only the staff remained, tidying up the remnants of the evening.

As soon as they left the gates, Justin suddenly began to sneeze–loud, uncontroble sneezes, as if he’d been hit by a wave of allergies.

Edith couldn’t help but worry. “Mr. Hawksley, are you alright?”

Justin pulled the car to the side of the road, sneezing again and again. By the time he lifted his head, the tip of his nose was bright red, and from Edith’s vantage point, his whole face–even his throat–was flushed.

He gave a sheepish, almost apologetic smile. “Edith, I think I need to see a doctor. I’m afraid I can’t drive you home.”

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