Free Jewel of Gresham Green by Lawana Blackwell

Cinderella her coach awaits.”
    “Almost ready!” Elizabeth called, combing Grace’s mussed curls while Aleda fastened buttons.
    Philip’s voice came again after a pause. “May I come in?”
    “No!” Aleda replied.
    “Yes!” Grace called.
    The door opened. He entered, smiled at his youngest sister. “I hope Thomas tells you every day how beautiful you are.”
    “He already does,” Grace said, and opened her slender arms and took a step toward him.
    Philip made the rest of the distance, gave her a quick squeeze and peck on the lips. “Don’t want to detain you. I’m sorry I haven’t had the chance to get a gift.”
    Aleda frowned and opened her mouth. Julia sought in vain to catch her eye. But before whatever recrimination could be let out into the room to spoil this bit of family harmony, Philip withdrew an envelope from his pocket and pressed it into Grace’s hand.
    “Please buy something . . .” His voice broke, and he looked away for a second.
    “Thank you, Philip,” she said softly.
    He smiled at her again. “. . . something nice for yourselves on your trip.”
    The family stood outside the gate to wave the couple down Vicarage Lane—even Dora, Wanetta, and Luke, though they had been given the remainder of the weekend off. When they were out of sight, the men and John started setting up the badminton net. Aleda announced she would return to her cottage.
    “You’re leaving?” Elizabeth said.
    “I’ve a story to finish.”
    “I’d like to speak with you,” Julia said, and turned for the vicarage, trusting she would follow. As they stood in the vestibule, she took her daughter’s hand and said gently, “We can’t have hard feelings at him for not visiting, but then treat him harshly when he does.”
    “He could have made her come with him.”
    “How? Bound her in chains? This isn’t the sixth century. And she had a headache.”
    Aleda let out a bitter laugh. “That’s up for debate. How long will we allow her to spit upon our family, Mother?”
    “We won’t allow that. But she has not crossed that line so far. Please bear in mind Philip’s caught in the middle. Have some pity for him.”
    “He put himself in that position.”
    “Then have some pity for me,” Julia said, touching her arm softly. Tears pricked her eyes, born of all the emotions of the day. “I’m caught between two children I love more than life itself.”
    Aleda’s frown wavered. Her expression softened. “I never thought of it that way.”
    “I understand that.”
    “But I’m still going home.”
    Julia closed her eyes, felt the tears course down her cheeks. Then Aleda’s fingers brushing them away.
    “To change my clothes, Mum. I can’t play badminton in this.”
    Julia laughed. “You’re a good daughter.”
    “I have my moments,” Aleda said, heading for the door. Over her shoulder she said, “Anyway, I’m rather glad the prima donna’s not here. I just didn’t want you to be hurt.”
    Julia shook her head as the door closed. But how could she have chided Aleda anyway, when she herself was glad they had Philip all to themselves?
    She wondered much later, when the game was over and Philip and Jonathan raced around the net with Samuel and Claire up on their shoulders, if Loretta’s presence would have put a damper on the fun.
    But Philip would have been happier, she thought.
    Would he? He seemed very much at ease now.
    Until Andrew spoke his mind in the parlor that evening as he, Philip, and Julia sat with dishes of leftover wedding cake.
    “Have we done something to offend Loretta?”
    “Of course not,” Philip replied. “She loves all of you.”
    He was too adamant on this point, almost as if trying to convince himself, as well.
    “She barely knows us,” Andrew said.
    Stop, Andrew, Julia urged with her eyes. Yet how could he, when she had poured out her heart to him over this matter so many times? Like Aleda, he wished to protect her.
    “She didn’t plan on a headache.” Philip set