The Inheritance by Maggie Carpenter

comply and this entire ordeal would soon be at its
end.
    '"Good girl.
Come along now," he said softly. "It's time to say goodbye."
    The lump in
her throat was turning into a large rock of hot lava. She was
afraid. Afraid if she let the lump break free it would shatter her
into little pieces and she would never be whole again. She
swallowed as hard as she possibly could, and clutching Lord
Michaels arm tightly allowed him to lead her into her Uncle's
room.
    She stood
quite still and looked around. It was as if he was still alive, as
if he could walk in and laugh with her at any moment. Lord Michael
moved her to the bed and sat her on the edge of the mattress, then
settled next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders.
    "Tell me about
him, Elizabeth. Tell me about all the wonderful times you had in
this house."
    She stared
across at the windows, then back at him, and he saw the fear in her
eyes.
    "I -
it's..."
    "Go ahead.
What was the favourite summer you had with him? Tell me all about
it," he coaxed.
    She started to
speak, the words falling stiffly. The lump wasn't a lump any more.
It was just heat. Searing heat in her throat. She wanted to tell
him about the time he had ridden out to the lake with her and he
had almost fallen off trying to jump a log on his big horse - a log
she had cleared on a pony.
    "He wasn't
much of a rider," she giggled, "and I was laughing so hard I almost
fell off Buttons as well."
    Suddenly,
unexpectedly, the heat in her throat surged out of her and the dam
burst. She cried and cried and cried, and Lord Michael rocked her
gently, soothing her, holding her, until the heaviest of the crying
had somewhat abated, and with his reassurance and support, she
tearfully began recounting story after story.
    Then it was
over.
    He glanced at
the clock on the mantle. It was almost eight-fifteen.
    "Are you ready
to go downstairs now?" he asked.
    "I am, Master.
I feel so different. Very tired, but different. Better," she said
softly.
    "I know, I'll
take you back to your room and you can repair yourself. I'm sure
Grace will be there preparing your bed for the night. I'll wait
outside the door and when you're ready we'll go downstairs and have
the cook provide us with a nice supper."
    They rose from
the bed and headed out the door towards Elizabeth's quarters. It
didn't take her long and fifteen minutes later they were in the
dining room. Elizabeth's eyes were still red and puffy, but her
hair was brushed and her face washed. Her father and James had
retired to the drawing room for cigars and brandy, and Lord Michael
left her briefly to alert them that they were dining and would join
them when they had finished their meal.
    The cook had
assumed they would be there at some point and had kept their meals
warm in the oven. They were served a hot delicious dinner of meat
and peas with mint sauce, Elizabeth's favourite, and some potatoes,
and some wonderful creamy pudding that she devoured quickly. It was
the most she had eaten since her recovery had begun.
    He allowed her
a small glass of wine with dinner, believing it would calm her and
help her to sleep, and as she sipped the last of it down she smiled
at him across the table.
    "Master," she
said softly, in case there was anyone close by, "I'm terribly sorry
about my outburst earlier this evening."
    "I know you
are, Elizabeth. And it's all right. You weren't yourself. But you
do know should you behave that way again you will be severely dealt
with."
    "Oh yes, I
definitely know that," she said quickly.
    She tilted her
head to one side, staring at the warm burgundy liquid in her glass.
Lord Michael could see there was something on her mind, something
she wasn't quite sure how to say, but he could guess what it might
me.
    "Go ahead,
Elizabeth," he said, "ask me."
    He saw the red
blush cross her face. He had been right.
    "Ask you
what?" she said innocently.
    "Don't be coy.
You've got five seconds - one - two - three—"
    "All right,
I'll - I'll tell you," she blurted