18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

T he following day passed without incident. Willa emerged from her room around mid-morning, having breakfast alone in the conservatory as always. Bonnie checked on her in the afternoon, inquiring if she was prepared for her reading of A Christmas Carol .

Willa understood Bonnie was only attempting to make small talk and indulged her. It was her way of glossing over what had occurred the day before. Anytime her father’s temper took on a rage-fueled life of its own, the aftermath was nothing but pleasantries and false cheer.

“Yes, I’m ready for my reading,” Willa replied.

Producing the best smile she could muster, Bonnie nodded. “Good thing. Christmas Eve is right around the corner.”

Having nothing else to add, Bonnie and her usual herd of cats departed, leaving Willa to her own devices throughout the day.

And then it was her mother’s turn. Close to sunset, Margaret whisked into the conservatory to say her peace. “I’ve been told you are to marry.”

Straightening on the chaise lounge, Willa met her mother’s cold stare. “Yes, ma’am.”

Margaret sniffed the air, looking anywhere but at her daughter. “Your father is speaking with Ulrich about it all tomorrow.”

Tomorrow ?

Tomorrow, she would be gone.

“That sounds wonderful.”

As if it was a struggle, Margaret’s gaze finally landed on her. “He is quite handsome. Let us hope you do not muck it up.”

Lifting her chin, Willa matched her mother’s obstinate tone. “Yes, let us hope.”

Having heard enough, Margaret left her, and not long after, Lucy snuck in for a chat. While she would not miss the others, Willa would sorely miss her sister.

“Come sit with me, Lucy.”

They snuggled together on the chaise, holding each other on the lower level where no one could see them. “We’re going to be wives, Willa,” Lucy whispered. “John has asked for my hand!”

“Oh, Lucy!” Willa whispered back. “I am so happy for you, but you must promise me something.”

Hearing the hitch in her voice, Lucy lifted her head from Willa’s shoulder. “What?”

“That you’ll marry John quickly,” she replied. “Don’t prolong the engagement. Go. Leave Haven and start your life right away.”

Lucy grinned. “I plan to.”

Everyone ignored them as they had their evening meal together in the conservatory. Night descended as they ate, with the stars and moon overtaking the burnt sunset sky.

Lucy held up her glass of wine. “This is our victory dinner, Willa.”

Our last one .

Taking her own glass, Willa clinked it against Lucy’s goblet. “To us.”

Lucy snorted out a giggle, having had too much wine already. “To us.”

They went to bed without seeing a soul. Even the household and kitchen staff seemed to have gone to bed by the time they finished.

“Goodness, it’s barely eight o’clock,” Lucy noted as they put their plates in the kitchen. “Is everyone asleep already? ”

It was odd but would work out well for her plans, and Willa chalked the turn of events to the universe granting her a bit of luck for once. “I suppose so.”

Going upstairs, Willa couldn’t help but hug Lucy before saying goodnight. “I love you, Lucy.”

Would this be the last time she saw her sister? Perhaps, but John Richards was a good man who would take care of his wife.

“I love you, too, Willow.”

The smile on Willa’s face disappeared, and she pulled back to look her little sister over. No one called her Willow.

No one except Grace.

“Why…” Willa’s eyes searched Lucy’s face. “Why would you call me that?”

Lucy shrugged. “I dreamed about Grace the other night, and her old nickname for you has been in my head for days now.”

Pressing her lips together, Willa gave her a tight smile. “How unusual.”

“She said the same thing in my dream as you did earlier,” Lucy said, wobbly on her feet as she headed for her bedroom door. “I’m to marry John Richards quickly and start my life far, far away from Haven House.”

Willa said goodnight and entered her bedroom, but instead of settling between the sheets to sleep, she gathered the hidden satchel and changed into her traveling attire. A long coat, loose skirt, and a pair of riding trousers she’d had to steal from Lucy.

As midnight approached, she took one last look at her room and went to the window to wait for Noah’s signal. As expected, a tiny flare of light flashed from the edge of trees at the front of the house when the clock struck twelve.

Leaving her room, she waited on the landing to listen for movement, and hearing none, made her way silently downstairs.

No one was stirring, not even a mouse .

On the ground floor, her erratic heartbeat faltered for but a moment. Willa had made peace with never seeing her conservatory again, but on the way to the foyer, she spared the library a brief glance. Perhaps in the future, this place might be filled with Fairweathers who loved reading as much as she did.

Making it to the foyer, she clasped her satchel tightly and turned to say goodbye to Haven House. The massive hallway expanded outward, the grandfather clock ticking away at the seconds of her final moments. It truly was a beautiful place, and if ever loved properly, would become something special.

“Goodbye, old girl,” Willa whispered as she took in all the splendor of Christmas staring back at her. It was fitting to be saying goodbye during the time of year when Haven was at her most beautiful. “May you one day know peace.”

And with that, Wilhelmina Fairweather departed Haven House for the last time.