Chapter 12: The House Has a Hostess

Edith put the house key beside the empty place at dinner.

It was an ordinary modern key on a very grand ribbon.

Victor moved the water jug away from it.

Caroline straightened the ribbon until it ran exactly alongside the plate.

Audrey looked at the key and picked up her water instead.

"We've discussed it," Edith announced.

"You haven't discussed it with us," Audrey replied.

Edith sat down rather than pretending she hadn't heard.

"Then we'll do that now," she said.

She gestured toward the key without handing it to anybody.

"One of you could have the house," she continued.

"The whole thing," Victor added.

I looked toward the covered drawing-room sofa through the open door.

"And use it?" I asked.

Caroline looked surprised.

"Naturally," she said.

"I'd keep the drawing room as it is, of course."

"And the dining room," Edith added.

Victor nodded toward the portraits above the sideboard.

"We wouldn't move those."

Audrey set her water down.

"Where would the new owner live?" she asked.

"Here," Caroline answered immediately.

"People need to know somebody's in the house."

"Which somebody?" I asked.

Caroline glanced toward the key.

"Whichever of you wants the responsibility," she said.

Victor began listing the family events she'd be responsible for hosting.

Edith counted them on her fingers until she ran out of one hand.

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