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Billie looked at her with quiet, steely grace "Anything that is required"
George sed, surprised by the rush of e; his father was shattered, and now he thought he ht to tell her that they did not need help, that her offer was appreciated but unnecessary
That was the polite thing to do It hat he would have said, to anyone else
But to Billie he said, "Thank you"
Billie drove herself to Crake House the following day, taking a sied it, but the house party had been cut short by several days, and everyone had either left or was planning to do so by the following
It had taken her a ridiculous amount of time to decide what to wear Breeches were ht, Billie did kno and when to dress appropriately, and she would never don her work clothes for a social call
But this was no ordinary social call Bright colors would not do But she could not wear black Or lavender or gray or anything that even hinted ofEdas not dead, she told herself fiercely
In the end she settled on a coot the year before Her like floral with greens and pinks and oranges set against cream muslin – but Billie had loved it froarden on a cloudy day, which so upon the Rokesbys
Crake was quiet when she arrived It felt wrong It was an enoro days without seeing another member of the family But even so, it always seemed vibrant, alive Some Rokesby or another was always about, ever happy, ever busy
Crake House was huge, but it was a hoht noever, it felt subdued Even the servants, who norence and discretion, were quieter than usual No one s
Billie was directed to the sitting rooe appeared, obviously having been alerted to her arrival
"Billie," he said, bowing his head in greeting "It is good to see you"
Her first impulse was to ask if there had been any news, but of course there would not be There would be no swift rider, down from London with a report Edas far too far away It would likely be months before they learned his fate
"How is your mother?" she asked
He smiled sadly "As well as can be expected"
Billie nodded, following hie paused, but he did not turn to face her "He sits in his study and stares out the "
Billie sed, her heart breaking at George’s bleak posture She did not need to see his face to know his pain He loved Edward, just as she did Just as they all did