She would have to stand on her own two feet then and be composed. But she was far from it. She’d rather curl up in a ball and cry than see anybody.
When the carriage stopped before Stapleton, her father roused and helped his heavily pregnant wife out. Jeremy exited next and held his hand out to Fanny to take. She was grateful for that hand because she was not feeling at all steady. He hooked her arm through his and escorted her inside, following Father and Gillian silently.
“Your family requests a word with you, your grace,” the butler murmured as soon as they entered the hall.
Father waved him away. “Not tonight. I’ll speak with everyone in the morning.”
Father curled his arm around Gillian as they ascended the staircase together, guided by a servant carry
ing a brace of candles. “Good night, Father. Good night Gillian,” Fanny called.
Only Gillian waved and then they disappeared from sight.
Fanny drew in a breath and turned to the butler. “Where is everyone?”
“Waiting in the library, my lady.”
She nodded. “I’ll speak with them for my father. Why don’t you turn in. There’s nothing more to be done tonight that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“I was just about to arrange the delivery of tea to the duke and duchess’ chambers,” the butler promised.
“Thank you.”
“If there’s anything you need, my lady, just ring,” he murmured.
Fanny turned for the library and let herself in, aware that Jeremy had followed her without being asked.
Her brother’s jumped to their feet and rushed over to embrace her. Milo caught her face between his hands and stared into her eyes. “So it is true?”
“Yes. It was a peaceful passing.”
Milo hugged her tightly, and then Samuel did as well. “You could have sent for either one of us. We would have come at a run.”
Fanny shrugged. “I wasn’t alone. I had Mr. Dawes, and the twins were there for a time, until Father ordered them home. Whitfield and Jessica will spend the night there tonight.”
Milo noticed Jeremy and nodded. “Thank you for staying with my sister.”
“No thanks are necessary.”
Fanny cleared her throat. “Papa and Gillian have retired for the night already. As you might imagine, Papa is quite upset. Tomorrow, he’ll let us know the plans for the funeral and for observing mourning.”
Milo nodded. “I’ve already decided to stay on for longer than I’d planned, keep his spirits up.”
“I’ll be staying, too,” Samuel added. “The twins are always a good distraction and with the duchess due soon, and him fretting all the time over her, I think it is doubly important to stay.”
They all looked at Fanny, but she had made no similar decision. She hadn’t even considered what happened after the wedding, if there would still be one. “You should head for bed.”
“What about you?”
“I am for bed, too, shortly.”
Milo kissed her brow. “Don’t stay up too long.”
“Wake me if you find you cannot sleep,” Samuel offered.
The pair filed out, leaving Jeremy and Fanny alone in the library. She loved her papa’s library, but women were not really allowed to linger without his permission. She remembered spying on him reading here when she’d been a girl. He’d always known when he was being watched and used to let her come in if she promised to be very quiet.
Jeremy began putting out the candles, circling the room until only one remained burning on a table beside Fanny. He paused and then slowly doused it, too.