Chapter 22: The Settle at the Head

"You've accepted," I said.

"I'll not stay in a house where everyone has seen me," my mother said.

She pulled one glove tight over her wrist.

"Henry's lawyer will send you the account books, and the keys to the safe."

The driver took a suitcase out through the open front door.

"Mother," I said. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She looked at the portrait over the stairs.

"Because I was afraid you'd go and look for the woman who gave birth to you," she said.

"I had a mother."

"Yes." Her mouth tightened. "I did try to be her."

It was almost an apology, and I knew it was the closest she could come.

I didn't tell her it was enough, because it wasn't.

I said, "Thank you for the days you did it right."

She nodded once, hard.

Then she turned to Gwen.

Gwen stood by the newel post with the yellow page against her chest and her red eyes open.

My mother looked at her for a long moment.

"You have his chin," she said.

It was the only thing she said, and Gwen's face did something painful.

"Mr. Ferrow," my mother said, without turning her head.

"Madam."

"I telephoned the Hudson Club this morning. And two of the houses on the river road."

"Did you."

"I told them I was mistaken about you."

Kendrick said nothing for a moment.

"Thank you, Mrs. Aldercott," he said. "It doesn't change what I think."

"I didn't suppose it would."

She walked out through the front door that Kendrick had once held open for Gwen.

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