Not now, Johnny Boy.
Or ever. I'd hardly endear myself to the child by expressing an honest opinion to him about Clarinda.
Would he even like me?
I chewed my lower lip on that one for several long minutes.
And how in the world would I ever tell Father?
I fidgeted from one foot to the other for even longer.
Good God, what would Mother-no, that didn't even bear thinking about.
I shook myself, nearly shivering from that thought.
Well, we'd all get through it somehow, though for the moment I hadn't the vaguest inkling of what to do besides stare at the little face that so closely mirrored my own and hope for the best.
"He's a very good boy, sir," whispered Nanny Howard from close behind me.
I gave quite a jump, but at least forbore from yelling in surprise.
She couldn't completely hide her amusement at startling me, but diplomatically pretended not to notice my discomfiture.
"A good boy, you say?" I asked, my voice a little cracked.
"Yes, sir. Very smart he is, too, if a bit headstrong."
"Headstrong? I like that."
"Indeed, sir. It complements him, when it's not misplaced."
"I... I want to know all about him. Everything."
"Of course, I'll be glad to tell you whatever you like. We should talk elsewhere, though."
At this gentle hint from her we moved out into the hall, leaving the door open so she could keep an eye on her charges. I was eager to hear any scrap of information on the boy, but alas, just as she was settling herself to speak we were interrupted.
"Jonathan?" Elizabeth came hurrying toward us, brows high with alarm. "What on earth are you still doing here? You know you-" She stopped when she saw Nanny Howard.
"It's all right," I said, keeping my voice low and making hushing motions with my hands.
"But it's very late for you," Elizabeth insisted, speaking through her teeth. God knows what Mrs. Howard thought of her behavior.
"It doesn't matter, I'm staying here for the day." Now I had shocked her, a portent of things to come, no doubt.
"You're what? But you-"
Before her surprise overcame her discretion, I took Elizabeth's elbow and steered her back down the hall out of earshot of Mrs. Howard. My good sister was just starting to sputter with indignation at my action when I reined us up short and turned to face her.
The look on my face must have helped trigger that innate sympathy that sometimes occurs between siblings, where much is said when nothing is spoken.
"What is it?" she asked, suddenly dropping any protest she might have had. "Is something wrong? Has Edmond-"
"No, nothing like that. Nothing's wrong-at least I don't think so, but you'll have to decide for yourself, and I hope to God that you think it's all right, because I really need all the help I can get, especially yours, because this is-is-"
"Jonathan, you're babbling," she stated, giving me a severe look. "For heaven's sake collect yourself and tell me what is going on."
And so I did.
The End
P N Elrod - Barrett 3 - Death Masque Page 30
