1. My Aunt. Chapter 20


    Date: 1/15/2016, Categories: First Time, Author: Annamagique, Rating: 8, Source: LushStories

    her I saw a tear well in her eye and roll down her cheek. Her lips turned down at the ends and began to quiver uncontrollably. "I feel as though my heart has been ripped out," she sobbed, her voice cracking with emotion. I pulled her to me, laying her head upon my shoulder and she sobbed heartily, her arms around my waist and her body heaving. I gently stroked her head and let her cry until the sobs slowly died away and she became quiet. We stood for a moment, in silence until, with a deep breath, she stood back and wiped her eyes. "Oh Miss," she said, "I'm sorry. I have made your shoulder wet." "Please, Sally, there is no need to apologise," I reassured her. "I am pleased to be here for you when you need someone. You never need to be afraid to approach me for anything." "Oh, Miss Victoria, thank you. You are so very kind." She sniffed. "I must get on now." I watched sadly as she went back to setting the table. Maggie's death had changed the lives of everyone and I couldn't help but feel that it signaled the end of an era. Life would never be the same again here. "Sally, where is my aunt?" I said after a few minutes watching her work. "In the study, I think, Miss," she replied. Thanking her, I left her to her chores and went to find Aunt Helen in the study. I found her sitting in the high backed arm chair beside the huge window, staring out over the grounds. Having not heard me enter, she jumped when I spoke. “Are you all right, Aunt Helen?” “Oh my word, Victoria!” she ...
    gasped, clasping her hand to her chest. “You quite startled me!” “I am sorry. You must have been far away with your thoughts.” I apologised. “Yes, I was.” She said wearily, “Please, sit.” She waved her hand towards the similar chair on the other side of the window. I took up her offer and settled into the sumptuous upholstery, tucking my dress behind my knees as I did so. The silence was broken only by the slow, rhythmic, 'tick, tock' of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. “I think I have been very naïve, Victoria.” She spoke quietly. So quietly, in fact, that I could hardly hear the words. “Aunt Helen?” I didn't understand. “What do you mean, naïve?” “I thought we could all be happy here. I thought that if I gave the girls their freedom but made them understand that they had responsibilities, rather than being Mistress and 'slaves', so to speak, that maybe I could give them a life of their own.” “You did that, Aunt Helen.” I wasn't sure exactly what she was getting to but I tried to reassure her. “You gave them just that. They adore you.” “But now, Maggie is dead. If I had just been more of a normal 'Lady' then maybe she would still be alive.” “Oh no! That is not true,” I said. “You have nothing to reproach yourself for.” She looked at me and smiled. “If only that were true, Victoria. I have much to be sorry for...” She paused for thought. “...and much to be happy about too, I suppose but...” “But what?” I asked. “Oh, nothing.” There was silence again. I frowned, ...
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