by Wendy » Fri May 04, 2007 4:11 pm
Arrangements were made to pay the attendant for several days of waiting, and the letter was taken to the lady of the house.
Molly O'Neill's reply was given to Raegan; however, she chose to hide it away until she could read it by herself. The sealed letter remained in the drawer of a console table within the foyer until deep in the night.
When the hour for privacy reached summit, Raegan left her bed. She moved calmly, quietly, in order to maintain the essential sound of her husband's dormancy.
Down the stairs, she cautiously stepped, until her feet met the floor of the antechamber. The hall windows were lean and tall, furnishing the small room with a supply of white moonlight.
Raegan found the letter where she'd left it, and pried the wax to release the contents of the message. Tapered fingertips traced the manner of Molly's handwriting before she read it.
Raegan could understand the attitude portrayed by the words in the note. Having known the position in her past, she could relate to the woman's protective stand.
Turning the paper, she looked to be sure there was nothing else written. Clearly, no reply was required. The letter assured Raegan well enough that she could meet with the woman proprietor, at any time, within the tavern itself.
Sated by the communication, Raegan moved from the foyer into the first of parlors. A small fire persisted in the hearth. Raegan placed the letter on its flames and watched until the entire page was crippled by flame and had turned black.
All was quiet. Nothing shifted in the dark. Serene light continued to stream through the front windows of the manor. Within this peaceful circumstance, Raegan moved up the stairs to be in bed again.