All Bedlam Courses Past (part eighty-eight)

All Bedlam Courses Past

Chapter Three

An Object in Motion

(part eighty-eight)

They returned to the farm as a family.

Harvesting time was the riverland social season…of picnics and regattas, fairs and fireworks, lemonade and watermelon on porches. If Papa wanted his seat, there were none of these doings he could skip.

And in Nachfolger’s orbit, those given the nod wanted it; a vigorous young man (of 44) should be up for the stump. Papa would look a mistaken choice if he wouldn’t get his teeth into it…

Jolly Uncle Henry had that aura. You seconded his agenda. You pleased him; you did not waste his time. You did not make him look mistaken.

The Gremots were on their picnic blanket, Élucide ankles tucked, a hot and irritating way to sit, eating…

Mother taking hand-ups on a short-legged wicker chair. Ranilde on pillows, not eating.

She kicked her legs. “Luce, get my hat.”

“Do you need me to fan you?”

Two looks for this, Ranilde’s and Mother’s. “Well…am I holding it for you?”

“Pick it up and hand it back.”

“Please do, Luce,” Mother said.

“Who is Papa with?”

Owen wasn’t coming, he was working; he was not remotely a man to delight his wife with something he’d thought of, but Ranilde twitched at male backs, at voices…at all like his.

“Your father is with Mr. Ebrach. Surprising.”

Papa soon brought him by the elbow. “You remember this fellow.”

“You, Mrs. Gremot,” Ebrach said, “I must confess to, as you’ve certainly been told I was abroad. I was indeed, with Dr. Crowninshield at the Castello dei Banditti, which is the home of our dear Contessa. But in and amongst one set of…pleasures, not duties, I have pursued another, the purchase of a property from Mr. Nachfolger. My plans are not yet for Mrs. Koker’s ears.”

He had drawn Mother with castles and Contessas into a world where these were natural confidences. Also favored her side against Mrs. Koker’s. Her smile grew warm, and Ebrach turned, bowing to Ranilde. “Mrs. McClurkin, I congratulate you. You were only a girl when I saw you last.”

A year ago. But he was answered by a light laugh; even a “so kind”. The hat was on Ranilde’s head—allowing Ebrach to signal Mother.

“She is feeling the heat today.”

“A pity. I won’t keep you, if you’d care to go indoors.”

He knew Élucide had written him letters. He had written in return…only once. But with perfect sangfroid, Ebrach said: “Miss Gremot. What was that lovely name your mother chose for you?”

“Malarkey.”

Papa said it, but bantering. Ebrach was almost an uncle.

93

Bedlam

All Bedlam Courses Past (part eighty-nine)

(2024, Stephanie Foster)