Next morning everyone was up and dressed before Charles made his appearance at breakfast. It was a tradition cold breakfast but the tea was hot. Everything tasted wonderful and he felt more at ease than last night. It was wonderful what a good night's sleep could do for one's spirits. He made directly for his mother. He didn't notice last evening how she had aged since he last saw her. Father was right about her dying a little each day.
"Mother, you are looking well," he lied, kissing her cheek. "I'm so sorry about last night. It was very rude of me."
"That was alright. You must be under a terrible stain over there."
"No more than you and the others here. There is no excuse," Charles apologized.
"Do you have any plans?" she asked. "I took the liberty of inviting James and his family to visit. I also invited Catherine. She is such a nice girl, Charles, so young, so beautiful, such a tragedy. I so want the whole family together."
How could Charles answer? That he didn't want to see James, Patricia, and the girls. That all he wanted was to relax, not put on airs, not to be put on display. He knew that since William's death, Mother had felt that Charles and Catherine should see one another again. The two were the same age having virtually grown up together. The family at first thought it would be Charles and Catherine who would marry but William used his charms to win her. Charles was angry at him but not enough to create a stir over it. As usual he looked at the big picture. Creating a stir would have caused problems within the family and no one wanted that. Beside Catherine seemed happy with her choice.
"No real plans, Mother. The weather being so nice that I thought I might stroll into the village, take in the old sights," he replied.
"Don't be gone long. Don't forget, James is coming."
He walked the grounds, alone with his thoughts. Returning to Stanhope had brought back feelings that he had long suppressed. Perhaps Alice was right. Perhaps he was in love with Kathleen. Then what? Should he tell her? And if she said she loved him, as Alice believed, what should they do? Marry? What would Father and Mother say? Suddenly life at the front became easier. It was black and white, life or death there. No grey area.
McTavish found him pacing beneath one of the ancient oaks and handed Charles a note.
"It is from Mrs. Williams, sir," he said.
"Why, thank you, McTavish. Here is a coin for your effects.
Charles read the note telling him that she and Kathleen had left for the village and one of the stops would be the local butcher. He stuck the note in his pocket and headed off.
He waited around the corner from the butcher shop and right on cue, Mrs. Williams and Kathleen exited. He walked up to them.
"What a pleasant surprise! Good afternoon, Mrs. Williams, Kathleen," he said tipping his hat. "May I walk with you?"
"Please do," Mrs. Williams replied.
