Page 160 of The Seven Rings
“My constitution is strong, and I am comfortable, thank you. It’s quite a pleasant evening. My parents and I are always grateful for an invitation to Poole Manor.”
“My father very much enjoys their companionship. As I very much enjoy yours.”
“And I yours, of course.”
When he turned to Agatha, Sonya thought of the day she’d seen him and Moira walking together. Not the same, she thought. His smile? Pleasant, yes, but not joyful.
It seemed to her both of them carried themselves with the stiffness of formality rather than any sort of friendship.
“My dear Agatha, as our families are tied together, I have hope that you and I may unite our lives in marriage. My feelings for you are strong and true. I vow to be a devoted and faithful husband, and to provide you with a comfortable life. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Even the sea went silent as Agatha turned to Sonya.
“I believe he would have kept that promise, as Owen Poole was an honorable man.”
“He was. Everything I’ve learned about him says he was an honorable man.”
“I would have been a good and faithful wife to him, a good and honorable mistress of Poole Manor when it came to him.”
“Yes, I know you would have.”
“We suited, Owen Poole and I, in the ways that matter in such arrangements. We were a very fine match. She stole that from me. She took my life on the most substantial day of it.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Agatha inclined her head. “I believe you are, but sorry is no matter. You must restore my ring, and all the others. This is your duty.”
Then she looked beyond Sonya to the manor. “I would have been a conscientious mistress of this manor, and a good and faithful wife.”
Then she looked back at Sonya. “He did not love me, nor I him. But we made a fine match. And this night, when I believed I saw my future? I was happy.”
Waves crashed against the rocks as Agatha turned back to Owen. He took the hand she held out to him.
“I accept your proposal of marriage with a full heart.”
Then they were gone, and so were the stars and the moon.
As she took the pets back in, Sonya wondered why it somehow seemed sadder that there had been no love, only duty.
Upstairs, Sonya took time to write out the experience. She’d seen them all now, not only on the day of their deaths, but beyond that.
Another step toward the answers? Maybe, she thought. At least steps in understanding each woman.
Then put it aside, think of Anna instead. This was now, and she’d put her mind and energies, for tonight, on the now.
She took her phone into bed with her. Yoda flopped into his bed, and they both fell asleep almost instantly.
The phone startled her awake at two-twenty-six a.m.
“Is the baby good, is Anna good?”
“Everybody’s good. Everybody’s great. Especially Fiona Kate Miller.”
“Fiona Kate Miller.” Swiping her hair back, Sonya sat up in bed. “That’s beautiful.”
“She’s beautiful. Seriously. I’m sending you a picture. I’ve got a million of them, but I’ll start with one.”
“Wait. Let me get it, let me see. Oh, oh, sheisbeautiful. Fiona, the raven-haired beauty. So much hair!”
