Part 26 (2/2)
”Did you have a chance to look at the contract, Quentin?” Carolyn asked.
Her cousin grinned like a school-boy caught without his homework. ”Sorry. I'll do it tomorrow. Are you going to drink that?” He indicated the gla.s.s before her. It had been his idea to stop by the Blue Whale for a drink after a late day at the office. But now, he was anxious to get back to Collinwood. Maybe Maggie would go for a walk with him.
”In a minute. There's Barnabas. I thought he'd be at Collinwood.”
”Not tonight.” At her frown, he said, ”Angelique's death. He found out six months ago.”
”That's right.” Barnabas had seen them and approached. ”h.e.l.lo, Barnabas.”
”Carolyn. Quentin.” He had been hoping that none of the family would be there.
”Barnabas. Have you been to see Amy yet?”
”I plan to in an hour or so.”
”Please. Join us.” Carolyn saw him hesitate. ”Unless you're meeting someone?”
”No.” He sat down.
Finis.h.i.+ng his drink, Quentin rose. ”I need a refill. Can I get you something, Barnabas?”
”Yes, thank you.”
Carolyn's eyes were sad as she looked at her cousin. ”It stops hurting so much after a while, Barnabas.”
He didn't try to pretend ignorance. ”Does it?”
”Yes. For months after Jeb's death, I just didn't care. Nothing seemed to matter very much. You know what a fool I made over Sebastian Shaw simply because he looked like Jeb. I can think of Jeb more easily now, without the pain. He would have wanted me to go on living. And I'm sure Angelique would want the same for you.”
Barnabas said nothing. When Quentin returned, he tried to include his cousin in the conversation, but had no better luck than Carolyn had had.52.
Julia entered the drawing room of the Old House and found only Willie dusting furniture. ”Where is he, Willie?”
”I don't know, Julia. He stayed here for a while, then took off.”
”Did he say anything?”
”Not much,” he said with a shrug. ”Julia, Barnabas, he, well, he scares me sometimes. He's different.”
”Different how, Willie?”
”I don't know. More like he was when I found him. it's like he doesn't care anymore - not even about his own survival.”
Julia knew Willie was right. Barnabas was withdrawing further into that sh.e.l.l, coming out only partially for Amy's sake. ”Do you think he went into the village?”
”Either there or Eagle Hill.”
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