The Purple Thistle

[Opensesame54321]

Anna came in to help her get ready for bed. There was idle chatter between the two on them, though Veronique’s mind kept turning back to Alexander and the ball that he was attending. When Anna spoke up, it caught her off-guard.

“Are you wishing that you could have gone with him to the ball?”

“Well, yes. T’would have been nice to dance as if I hadn’t a care in the world.”

“You could have.”

“No, I would have worried about the boys. Plus, I really don’t have a proper ball gown to accommodate my already expanding tummy.” She sighed. “Gone are my days of tramping over the countryside and dancing until dawn. I am now a mother, with twins and another child on the way. Instead, my dance card would only be filled with my husband’s name and not young men hoping to catch my eye. I should accept that I am an old married lady.”

Anna smiled as she brushed Veronique’s hair. “I am sure that the Master still sees you as he did that first time that he laid eyes upon you. The two of you were scandalous at your wedding. Why, I fair thought that the vicar would die from the opprobrium.”

Veronique smiled, remembering the day and how she could barely wait to lose her maidenhood, especially once that she discovered that Alexander was not the simpering fool that he played to the public.

Climbing into bed, she propped herself up on the pillows while Anna handed her the book that she had been reading.

“Waiting up for the Master?”

“I think so. And should he come home stinking of drink and females, he shall get the sharp edge of my tongue.”

“Very well, Your Ladyship. Ring if you need me.”

Once alone, Veronique tried to read but found it hard to concentrate as her thoughts repeatedly returned to her true love.

 

[cumnchat]

All Alexander could see as he was half carried, half dragged through the streets was the dirt road beneath his feet, his head throbbed where he had been struck with the pistol. Slowly the events of the evening were coming back to him,,,,,,,,,,,,,, hiding behind the curtains in the library, presenting himself to Chauvelin and his cronies, Chauvelin mistakenly calling him The Scarlet Pimpernel, (He smiled mirthlessly at that mistaken assumption), the most worrying part though was Chauvelin's threat, or was it just a threat to have him beaten to death in some alley?

He gathered his strength to try and throw off the two men who held him upright by his arms but he was weakened by the blow to his head and they were too strong or him.

"The more you struggle the more painful your end will be." came the mocking voice of Chauvelin.

"A curse on you and your kind." Alexander retorted

"You should not meddle in another country's affairs Lord Vernay, you have let too many of the Aristocracy slip through our grasp to escape the justice of Madame Guillotine."

Alexander thought about denying that he was the Pimpernel but he doubted that Chauvelin would believe hm and anyway if Chauvelin believed the Scarlet Pimpernel was dead Percy and the others would be safe for a while at least so he held his head high and thought of his dear Veronique, Carlton and Leander and of course the child that he would never see.

The first blow winded him and he doubled up then the blows rained down on his head and shoulders with stout wooden cudgels, he lay in the alley wincing as the French spies kicked him in the ribs and stomped on his head, the last thing he said was,

"I love you Veronique."

Then the darkness closed around him and he was gone.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Something was bothering her. She knew not what it was, but something in the back of her mind seemed to tug at her consciousness, and consequently she found it hard to read the book in her lap. Over and over her thoughts kept returning to Alexander. She wished that he would decide to stop snooping and return home.

For the hundredth time she tried to focus on the words on the page. The letters seemed to jumble and become nonsense. She tried to read the poem “To Della Crusca” by Hannah Crowley.

Thou bidst! "my purple slumbers fly!"
Day's radiance pours upon my eye.
I wake — I live! the sense o'erpays
The trivial griefs of early days.
What! tho' the rose-bud on my cheek
Spoke youth, and joy — and careless thought,
By guilt, or fear, or shame un-smote:
My "blooming" soul....

I love you Veronique.

The words were so softly spoken as to be a whisper, but the voice was Alexander’s. So much so that Veronique looked up, half expecting to see him there in the doorway, with that flirty look upon his face. Yet all that greeted her was the closed door in the darkening room. Only the lamps on each side of the bed were lit leaving the rest of the space in heavy shadows.

She felt a sudden urge to cry and instead slammed the book of poetry shut, pitching it to the foot of the bed. She just could not sleep. Perhaps she should look in on the boys.

Slipping her wrapper around her night gown, her slippered feet padded down the hall to the nursery. Inside she found Clair trying to calm down Carlton while Leander lay crying in his crib. Scooping the toddler up she carried him to the rocking chair and sat as the little one cried against her neck.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know, ma’am. When last I checked on them they both were snoozing away. Suddenly they were crying. They are both dry, and they aren’t hungry. Jane and I have been trying to calm them down but Jane had to go relieve herself.”

Neither boys would say anything other than “dream” and “scary”, so they had to assume that both boys had had a nightmare. Probably not the same one but still unnerving. After a while Jane returned and between the three of them they managed to calm the boys, wipe their snotty noses and dry their tears and get them back to sleep.

She was surprised when Anna slipped into the room and asked to speak with her in the hall. Veronique nodded as went outside.

“Your Ladyship, the Constable is asking for the Master or yourself. He says that it is important and necessary.”

Anna looked worried and Veronique sensed that something was very wrong. Quite against convention, she did not take the time to properly dress, but instead went down wearing her wrapper.

Constable Wainwright appeared to be a no nonsense man that sported a rather distinguished mustache with an irritating habit of running the back of his right forefinger along the bottom of it as of checking to see if it had grown any in the past few minutes.

“I am Lady Vernay, Constable Wainwright. What brings you out here so late tonight?”

“I’m very sorry to intrude so late, Lady Vernay. Is your husband not at home?”

“He is attending a ball at Lord and Lady Astermain’s manor. I was unable to go with my husband as...” she paused before continuing on. “...as I am expecting our third child.”

“Ah, I see.” He seemed unsure of exactly how to continue. “It seems that a... a body has been found in a rather questionable part of town.”

“But my husband is at the party. It could not be him.” There was a sinking in the pit of her stomach as she proceeded to describe what she had seen Alexander leave wearing.

Constable Wainwright’s lips thinned. “Is there someone that could make an identification?” Anna stepped forward and helped Veronique sit in one of the chairs in the room.

“My husband could, sir. He works here on the estate and knows Lord Vernay very well.”

Veronique sat there, still and in shock, her hand resting on the swell of where their baby grew. It could not be true. It just could not. Any minute Alexander would come traipsing in, slight drunk and explaining how he had, for a lark, traded clothes with some other guest. Anna tried to get her up to her room but she refused and instead sat there, tears filling her eyes as they waited for Claude to return.

It was close to sunrise when they heard Claude riding up in his horse. Anna stood beside her chair and all eyes were turned to the door, waiting.

Claude has been crying. That much was obvious. With his hat in his hands, he entered and hesitated as if afraid to speak.

“Oi’m very sory, My Lady. It is The Master.”

The room was filled with wailing and crying, not just Veronique’s, but the servants that had awaken and had been waiting with Veronique for the news.

Veronique knew not how long she cried, her heart broken. Her one true love was gone! It could not be. Most were crying and asking why, but Veronique knew why, and she was pretty sure that she knew who.

When once again she could speak, she turned to Claude and drew him to her side.

“Claude, you must do something for me. I need you to immediately ride to Sir Percy Blakeney’s estate and tell him that I need him here immediately.”

He looked at her strangely but nodded and headed out the door. Anna looked at her but said nothing, instead helping her to rise and head up the stairs to the master bedroom. She fluffed up the pillows but Veronique shook her head, not wanting bed.

“Help me dress. I cannot meet with Percy dressed like this.” Once she was dressed, she sat in a chair, her hand resting against her pregnant belly, feeling lost and so alone. How could she go on? Yet she must for there was their children to go on for. The Vernay name must continue on. Anna was quiet and unsure of what to do. She could hear sobbing out in the hall - probably one of the servants.

“Let me know as soon as Percy arrives. Prepare the morning room - I will meet with him there.” Anna nodded and left the room. Alone, Veronique looked at the bed. Alexander’s side was smooth and empty and she burst into tears, crying out the pain and sorrow that she felt.

“I want revenge!” She said those words to the empty room with a quiet intensity. She knew that Percy would want it too. “I want them to pay for what they did to my husband.”

 

[cumnchat]

"WHAT!? There is no mistake?"

Percy heard the news from Claude with disbelieving ears, he had asked asked the question even though he knew there was no mistake.

"No mistake I'm afraid Sir, I identified him myself, he had taken a right beating Sir, beaten and kicked to death he was." Claude twisted his hat in his hands and asked,

"Are you going t'ride with me Sir or shall I tell Lady Vernay you'll be along soon?"

"If Lady Vernay has asked for me then I must go straightaway, the poor woman must be distraught, Give me half an hour while I tell Lady Caroline and then we will be on our way."

*******************

As they rode through the early morning daylight Claude told Percy all that he knew, which wasn't a great deal but one thing got Percy wondering: what was Alexander doing in that part of the city and within sight of a whorehouse? He knew Alexander well enough to know that he would never frequent such an establishment, not when he had the truly beautiful Veronique waiting at home, he must have had some other reason for being there or possibly he had been taken there deliberately to besmirch his memory. In his heart he knew who had committed the deed but he had no proof, YET. He vowed to find those responsible and hunt them down one by one and take his revenge.

Veronique received him in the morning room and looked remarkably composed although very pale and he could see that she had been crying.

"Veronique, what can I say except that I am sorry it has come to this, I think we both know who was responsible, I did warn Alexander but no matter ow careful he was the slightest slip to cause suspicion and Chauvelin would strike like the snake that he is, but this time he has gone too far, I will call a meeting of us all who are left and for now our aim is REVENGE."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Veronique, what can I say except that I am sorry it has come to this, I think we both know who was responsible, I did warn Alexander but no matter ow careful he was the slightest slip to cause suspicion and Chauvelin would strike like the snake that he is, but this time he has gone too far, I will call a meeting of us all who are left and for now our aim is REVENGE.

She motioned to him to sit beside her on the sofa so that they could speak unheard by others.

She was holding herself together using every bit of willpower that she had. She knew her husband, and knew that never would have frequented such a place as where he had been found in front of. They had both been true to each other, even considering that time that the now “Lady Caroline” had tried to seduce him. These people had tried to besmirch Alexander’s good name, and had taken his life as casually as they might throw away their bath water.

“Percy, I think that we do understand each other. I want each of those men dead, yet none of this must come back to either you or me or the cause. I want each one to die, and to know before they die just who is killing them and why. And their bodies must never be found. I ask that you do this not for me, or for his children that have been asking for their daddy, or for the child that I carry that he will never hold or that will never know his or her father. I ask that you do it for Alexander, the friend that stood beside you despite everything that happened between you two in the past. The friend that was always there for you. Please, clear his name.”

She had not seen Percy in this much pain since the death of Bella and he was pale as he sat beside her.

“I promise you any resource that you need. You need only ask for it.” Tears filled her eyes and she quickly wiped they away using her lace hanky. “I want this injustice wiped away and Alexander’s good name returned to him. I want his children to be proud of their father and of the name that he left them.”

Percy swore to her and when he left he promised her that he would avenge her husband’s death. She thanked him and escorted him to the door, watching him leave.

Suddenly she was tired and leaned against the wall. Just as quickly, Anna was there and called to Claude but she shooed him away and took Anna’s arm. The climb up the stairs was hard, but she did it.

Even harder was facing the master bedroom, knowing that its Master was gone. Anna helped her change into her gown and tucked her into bed. She rolled over to face Alexander’s pillow and reached out a hand to caress where once his head lay. Hot tears fell from her eyes, soaking her pillow. She buried her face into it and could still smell him. It felt as if she were dying, her heart hurt so.

Anna stood outside the bedroom door and silently cried as she heard her mistress inside crying herself to sleep.

 

[cumnchat]

Percy took a quick breakfast in the kitchen and then rode hard to Lord Astermain's town house where the ball had been held. He got Lord Astermain out of bed citing a most urgent matter.
"Lord Alexander Vernay was here last night, tell me was he talking to or in conversation with any one in particular?"

Lord Astermain ummed a great deal as he was still suffering from the effects of too much wine the night before, that was until Percy grabbed him and shook him like a rat.

"Umm, steady on Blakeney, I'm trying to think,,,,,er yes he was talking to a young woman, her first ball I believe."

"Here name man, her name?" Percy almost shouted at him.

"Mowbray, that's it, Lillian Mowbray, pretty little thing, she seemed quite taken with Alexander.
I say, he hasn't gone and done something stupid has he?"

Percy almost struck him but replied grimly,

"Only if you consider getting yourself murdered to be stupid, where can I find the young lady?"

"As it happens she is asleep upstairs, shortly after eleven last night she was found crying in the library and was unable to say what had upset her."

"You must bring her to me at once, I must speak with her
immediately."

"Are you sure it cannot wait until a more godly hour, 'tis practically the middle of the night."

Percy replied in exasperation,

"No it cannot wait and it is almost nine o'clock,"

Lord Astermain sent one of the maids to fetch the young woman and left her alone with Percy.

Percy was well acquainted with women and how to speak to them, he knew that telling Lillian that Alexander was dead would only set her off crying again and he would get no information from her.

"Lillian my dear, can you tell me ab

 

[cumnchat]

Percy took a quick breakfast in the kitchen and then rode hard to Lord Astermain's town house where the ball had been held. He got Lord Astermain out of bed citing a most urgent matter.
"Lord Alexander Vernay was here last night, tell me was he talking to or in conversation with any one in particular?"

Lord Astermain ummed a great deal as he was still suffering from the effects of too much wine the night before, that was until Percy grabbed him and shook him like a rat.

"Umm, steady on Blakeney, I'm trying to think,,,,,er yes he was talking to a young woman, her first ball I believe."

"Here name man, her name?" Percy almost shouted at him.

"Mowbray, that's it, Lillian Mowbray, pretty little thing, she seemed quite taken with Alexander.
I say, he hasn't gone and done something stupid has he?"

Percy almost struck him but replied grimly,

"Only if you consider getting yourself murdered to be stupid, where can I find the young lady?"

"As it happens she is asleep upstairs, shortly after eleven last night she was found crying in the library and was unable to say what had upset her."

"You must bring her to me at once, I must speak with her
immediately."

"Are you sure it cannot wait until a more godly hour, 'tis practically the middle of the night."

Percy replied in exasperation,

"No it cannot wait and it is almost nine o'clock,"

Lord Astermain sent one of the maids to fetch the young woman and left her alone with Percy.

Percy was well acquainted with women and how to speak to them, he knew that telling Lillian that Alexander was dead would only set her off crying again and he would get no information from her.

"Lillian my dear, can you tell me about last night, the last time you saw Alexander?"

 

[Opensesame54321]

Lillian had slept fitfully all night. She kept remembering what she had seen through the crack in the half open doorway. It looked to be about half a dozen men carrying that sweet Count Vernay our between the lot of them. They laughed and joked in French and Count Vernay seemed unconscious as the men carried him out the doors leading to the terrace just outside the library.

She had waited a bit, expecting to see him return with the men, laughing at the joke. Finally she had crept out to the terrace, only to see no sign of any of the men. Instead, near the bushes she found one of Count Vernay’s shoes. Quickly she grabbed it and ran back into the library, hiding the shoe before sitting down to cry.

She wanted to tell someone, but just who could she trust? She was still crying when she was found later. They were not quite sure what her problem was and instead escorted her to a guest bedroom where she spent a large portion of the night crying.

She was surprised when the next morning one of the Astermain’s maids knocked on the door and told her that someone was here to see her. She thought that it might be someone she knew, but when she was led into the library, instead was a man that she had never seen before.

Sitting her down, he asked her, Lillian my dear, can you tell me about last night, the last time you saw Alexander?

“You mean Count Vernay?”

The man nodded and she hesitated. She was not sure that this man was one that she could trust. Yet he had called the man Alexander, like one would an old friend.

The man calmed her nerves and soon she was telling him what she had seen and heard. And when he asked her as to what she had done with the shoe that she had found, she got up and showed him where she had hidden the shoe behind an ornate trunk in the corner of the library. The man seemed impressed and thanked her.

“Sir, Your Lord, May I ask if Count Vernay made it home safe? He was really being sweet to a young lady at her first ball. I just didn’t know who to tell what I saw.”

 

[cumnchat]

Percy didn't wish to upset the young Miss Mowbray anymore so He lied to her, certain that she would know the truth soon enough,

"He is safe now and protected by the Almighty, are you sure they did not mention any names at all?"

Lillian hesitated it was such a minor thing except that she had never heard it before,

"One of the men said something in English it sounded like 'The Scarlet Pumperdinck' or something like that."

Percy's face showed no emotion but he was churning with anger inside,

"You mean The Scarlet Pimpernel, Lillian, 'tis a small scarlet flower that grows by the wayside. Now you must rest, you have been a great help to both Count Vernay and myself."

He rode back to Alexander's home to report to Veronique, he thought it important that she knew that her husband had died bravely, letting his attackers believe that he was The Scarlet Pimpernel, also that his shoe was found at the house where the ball was being held, there was no possible way Alexander would have gone to that part of the city wearing only one shoe unless he had been taken there.

He mulled over in his mind what to do and what he knew.

He knew who, why, how and where but he had not the slightest proof save the testimony of a young naive girl who would be torn apart by a lawyer hired by the French if it even got to court, no the only way was to to despatch justice the Scarlet Pimpernel way.

 

[Opensesame54321]

One look at the shoe and she recognized it as belonging to Alexander. Percy handed it to her and before she could stop herself she was clutching it to her breast, sobbing.

She felt weak for having shown such emotions, yet it was only her and Percy meeting in the study and somehow she knew that he would not belittle her this outburst. She had managed a little sleep but had been awaken when Anna saw Percy heading up the path. At the moment, Veronique had no mourning clothes but the seamstress would arrive this afternoon to quickly supply Veronique with clothes for her and the boys to wear during their time. Since Veronique was also expecting, she would need a range of clothes to wear as she grew in size. So would the boys as they would be required to dress in mourning for a year.

Veronique, on the other hand, would be in mourning for two years, though if the truth be known, she would grieve over Alexander’s murder for the rest of her life. At least for the next year, she would not be allowed to leave the house save to attend the funeral and her husband’s internment in the family crypt. As it was, until she got her Widow’s Weeds, she wore the darkest dress that she owned, which was dark blue. The servants had already draped black - hurriedly dyed - over all the mirrors in the house. All the male servants wore black armbands and as the female servants already wore dresses of a dark blue grey, most just removed the white collar and cuffs and had dyed them black before reattaching.

All the curtains had been drawn and the clocks stopped, leading the whole house to reflect how Veronique felt inside her. Meanwhile, a seldom used room on the ground floor was being prepared as the place where Alexander’s body would remain for viewing until the service.

Pulling herself together, she dried her eyes and turned once again to Percy.

“Percy, you were Alexander’s best friend. I need ask yet another favor from you. Since I cannot leave the house, would you please see to something? As I need someone of the same station as Alexander and this is something for which I cannot depend upon his own family for I know that they will do it incorrectly. I need a casket picked out for Alexander. I do ask that you choose the finest and one with a thistle carved in the lid. Everyone will think that it will mean that he is of Scottish heritage, but you and I will know the truth.”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “I have already arranged for the stone mason to ride out here to meet with me so that they may prepare his marker for the crypt. I am having a thistle put on that as well. I will send Claude and the wagon in later to collect him and bring him home.”

She held her hand out to Percy and he took her cold fingers and informed her that Caroline would be traveling over to be of comfort and aid to her, for which she thanked him.

“Have you any idea of how to take care of the problem, and is there anything that you need from me?”

 

[cumnchat]

Percy saw that it took all of Veronique's strength and resolve not to cave in and cry as she hugged Alexander's shoe, he tried to comfort her with words that did not come easily and he was not prepared to touch her in any way, not even a comforting hug, which could so easily be misconstrued by her thinking back to the cottage in the Dales and his state of mind at the time. Veronique pulled herself together and asked of him,

'“Percy, you were Alexander’s best friend. I need ask yet another favor from you. Since I cannot leave the house, would you please see to something? As I need someone of the same station as Alexander and this is something for which I cannot depend upon his own family for I know that they will do it incorrectly. I need a casket picked out for Alexander. I do ask that you choose the finest and one with a thistle carved in the lid. Everyone will think that it will mean that he is of Scottish heritage, but you and I will know the truth.'

Percy bowed his head in agreement, the request showed that Veronique recognised the work that Alexander was doing was his choice and she was alright with that, she was after all, Buttercup, a member of the Pimpernel's clan.

"Yes Veronique he made the ultimate sacrifice for what he believed was right, 'tis a crying shame that the real reason for his passing will never be known, we will honour his name in whatever way we can."

'I have already arranged for the stone mason to ride out here to meet with me so that they may prepare his marker for the crypt. I am having a thistle put on that as well. I will send Claude and the wagon in later to collect him and bring him home.'

He took her proffered hand, the skin was icy cold, Percy informed her that Caroline would come and stay with her so she had someone she could actually talk to about her feelings.

'Have you any idea of how to take care of the problem, and is there anything that you need from me?'

Percy knew that she was referring to Chauvelin and his colleagues and what should be done to avenge Alexander's murder.

"I have work to do in that respect my dear, I need nothing from you as yet except your agreement that justice must be done, an eye for an eye."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Several hours after Percy had left, Caroline arrived to the dark house that was in mourning. Veronique had arranged for a room to be prepared for her and greeted her somberly. The woman returned the hug and told her that she would help in any way possible.

While she was shown to her room by one of the maids, Anna informed her that the stone mason was here and had been taken to the morning room.

Messrs. Stone, Stone & Clay was represented by the senior Mr. Artemus Stone, a very old and dried out looking man. She doubted very seriously if the man had ever lifted anything heavier than a piece of paper. Someone else must do the actual stone work. However, being that Alexander had been a Count, naturally it reasoned that the senior member of the firm should come out.

Mr. Stone the senior gave a half bow to her when she entered the room, offering her his most sincere condolences and she bade him to sit while she occupied a chair. From her pocket, she pulled out the information that she needed put on the marker.

Count Alexander Abraham Vernay
( thistle )
Born: 16 December 1760 Died: 21 August 1794

Beloved Husband and Father

“Oh, he was of Scottish descent?” Stone rubbed the side of his nose as he read what she had carefully printed on the piece of paper.

She smiled and told him, “It is what he would have wished. It meant much to him.” She had neither confirmed nor denied the man’s question.

“Such a shame to lose one so young. I understand that you have twin...boys, is it? Ah, the poor things must be inconsolable.”

“Yes, twin boys. They really do not understand everything as they are so young.” She really felt this none of the man’s business. She also knew that he was trying to find out if she was expecting again.

“My servant, Mr. Benson, will show you to the crypt and let you take your measurements of the space where...my husband shall lie.”

She pulled the bell cord and in no time Sanders the butler silently appeared.

“Please have Mr. Benson show Mr. Stone the place in the crypt.”

Mr. Stone understood that his time with the Widow Vernay was over. The woman had been aristocratically polite with none of that chit chat from the lower classes. The woman may not have been born a lady, but despite that, she certainly was one now.

After the man left, Veronique sagged in her chair and cried. The man was right. Alexander was entirely too young to be gone. Her one consolation was that Percy would avenge her husband’s death and restore honor to Alexander and to his name. She felt certain that somehow he would.

 

[cumnchat]

Percy knew that if he attempted to deal with each of the French spies individually his task would become more difficult as those that were left would be on their guard, so it would be easier and neater if he could have all four together, he was convinced that it was just the four as they were always conversing together, he needed them to be off their guard thinking they had nothing to worry about.

He had not thought of anything and the weeks passed, he was becoming frustrated as Veronique had entrusted the task of making these Frenchmen pay for the murder of Alexander. He had put feelers out amongst his numerous contacts some of whom were part of the nineteen members left of his force. One day though he received a missive from one called Nettle, a jovial looking figure but a devil in a scrap. Nettle owned a restaurant on the outskirts of the city and he informed him that he received a booking in the name of Pierre Chauvelin a table for four persons and a special order for lots of the best champagne as they were celebrating an anniversary as would be the poorer people of France, the date immediately struck a chord with Percy's memory, sixteenth of October 1793, one year earlier Queen Marie Antoinette had been executed, following her husband's demise nine months earlier.

"So they mean to celebrate the death of their Queen do they? We will spoil their party, I swear it."

He sent letters to every one of his members with a cryptic message,

"The Thistle can still scratch even when it has been plucked. I propose we meet the first week of October."

He had the germ of a plan in his mind but needed to make arrangements to ensure that nothing could link them with the French spies. He did not inform Veronique of his plan meaning to tell her when it was done.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Standing solemnly by the open door, Alexander’s body was carried into his manor. The room where he would reside had already been prepared, with black bunting and the room filled with vases of fresh flowers from the garden to disguise the smell of death.

Percy had picked a beautiful casket of dark rich wood, with a thistle intricately carved in the lid. Satin lined the inside.

Claude was nervous and had begged her to give them a chance to clean up the Master and prepare him before she saw him.

“No Claude. I was to see what those beast did to my beloved.”

The left side of his face had been crumpled in and she could make out several shoe prints on his clothes. His face was screwed up showing the intense pain that he had experienced in his final minutes of life. His clothes were so covered in blood that it was difficult to recognize it as the clothes that he had left in. There were other injuries too numerous to mention.

Anna came and put an arm around her shoulders “Please, ma’am, let us clean him and make him presentable.”

Veronique laid a hand upon his, so cold, and said a prayer before allowing herself to be led away. She heard the door close behind her and knew that the men were in there dressing him in the clothes that had been chosen for him.

Through the front door stepped her friend Betsy Curzon, followed closely by her husband, Samuel. Betsy rushed to hug Veronique. After a moment or two of tears and condolences, she took the two into the study and explained something to the two.

“Samuel, as as actual blood relation to Alexander I need you to do me a favor.”

“Of course, whatever you need of me.” The man was serious. And she appreciated it.

“I am sure that ‘Sir Timothy’ will be planning on attending the funeral and staying here. He is not welcome in this house and Alexander and I were in complete agreement with this. I do not even want him sitting with the family during the service.”

She then proceeded to explain just why, telling them about Jane and her pregnancy. And how Timothy must never know about the baby. They both agreed to make sure that her wishes were followed.

She then showed them to their room before heading to the nursery. She told Anna to bring the seamstress to the nursery when she arrived. That way she could see about the mourning clothes for the boys. The funeral was to be in 3 days time.

 

[cumnchat]

The members of the Scarlet Pimpernel's group of vigilantes, for that is what they were in all but name, arrived over several days in the first week of October. When everyone had arrived Percy gathered them altogether but before he began he said,

"It is only right and fitting that we say a prayer for our good brave friend and compatriot Alexander,"

They all bowed their heads and remembered Alexander in their own way. Percy resumed his speech.

"You have all heard of the manner of his death but what you may not know is that he unwittingly gave us respite from the French spies' hunt for the Scarlet Pimpernel, they believed that Alexander was him and that he is no more."

This was greeted with much banging of beer tankards on the wooden table in Percy's kitchen.

"Our task now is to show them how mistaken they were, they will not have long to reflect on it however. Each of you has an envelope detailing your role in this operation as usual I will be the only one who knows all there is to know. Study your instructions and gather what you need. We meet again here at six o'clock on the evening of the sixteenth, that is every one except those who have instructions that take them elsewhere."

"What happens when we have them prisoner, do we send them back to France?" asked the youngest of them who had the name Dock.

"No Dock, they die."

 

[Opensesame54321]

The manor had never been filled to such capacity, and filled with so many somberly people. Except for the children. The twins looked adorable dressed in their mourning clothes of white with black accents. So hard to keep clean, she had wisely ordered extra and was glad as already today Carlton had spilt an entire jar of jam down the front of his outfit. Meanwhile, Leander seemed to understand the meaning of the day and had taken to periodically crying. Both children were proving to be a handful for both Jane and Clair.

Timothy had arrived yesterday in all his pomp and splendor, trying to look suitably bereft and yet hoping that his handsome looks might catch the eye of the Widow Vernay. He eyed the massive mansion and vast grounds and thought that such a home would do him justice. At least, more so than the much smaller manor where he lived. And Lady Veronique had not lost her looks despite being married to his dull and boring cousin. At least she looked very bedable when last he saw her about 5 months ago.

Before he could even get out of his carriage, though, cousin Samuel had met him and explained that he was not welcome.

“Not welcome? ‘Tis not your say as to whether I am welcome or not. Your mother and my father may have been brother and sister, but we are equal. Now, step aside.”

“I believe that Alexander has written to you a letter explaining everything.”

“That? Pfff!” Timothy dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “I suspect that the letter was the idea of his wife. It wasn’t my fault that the naive maid Jane misunderstood me. Imagine thinking that I was going to marry her. Beside, I understand that old cousin Alexander was found outside a whorehouse, so that wife of his probably figured that she had already given him his heirs so he had to go elsewhere for his entertainment.” He gave a chuckle.

Samuel was not amused. “Alexander was murdered. He had gone to a ball and it is suspected that through nefarious dealings he was spirited away quite against his will. You would do best to not to spread such rumors. You are not welcome either here or at the funeral.

Veronique watched the confrontation between the two on the front lawn and was grateful for Samuel and the fact that he was willing to stand up to old Cousin Timothy. And the man certainly did not look happy as she watched him angrily shout at the driver to drive on.

Caroline slipped an arm around her shoulders and led her away from the window. “I have contacted Percy and he and the rest of the men will be at the funeral tomorrow. Did you need anything from him?”

“Yes. If possible, could Percy and Sage and several others carry Alexander’s casket at the funeral and burial. His cousins, Samuel and Geoffrey, have agreed to. And Peter - you know, he is the one with the rather large nose - said that he could if we needed him. But I hate to depend upon him as he is a bit old.”

Caroline pet her shoulder and hugged her. “Of course, Veronique I will get word to him.”

Veronique was tired. She had not been sleeping well and the boys had not really been sleeping well either. They had been fussy lately, asking often for papa and asking when he would come home. And being occasionally nauseous from her pregnancy certainly did not help. How was she going to raise 3 children on her own? Thank God she had Clair and Jane.

She lay down and Caroline threw a light blanket over Veronique’s legs. She suggested that it would be best if the woman tried to take a nap. If she could just make it through tomorrow...

 

[cumnchat]

The meeting finished and Percy was left alone with his thoughts, he thought back to Alexander's funeral that had been so well attended a true testament to his popularity amongst people from all walks of life, from the village cobbler to Lords and Ladies of his acquaintance. He and three others had helped carry the coffin to its final resting place and each member of the Pimpernel's group had laid a small posy of each of his chosen name on the coffin. there had been his Pimpernel of course, a sprig of Mace, Sage, Chrysanthemum, Nettle and many others.

Veronique had cried of course and he had had to hold her arm to prevent her from crumbling. She was overcome with emotion when on behalf of every member of the group, at the wake, he presented Veronique with a bouquet of handmade silk flowers, again, representing every one of them, to crown the bouquet standing side by side in the centre was a large Purple Thistle and a single Buttercup.

"To remind you of what he was, beyond your adoring husband and loving father, he will never be forgotten by anyone who knew the true Alexander.

 

[Opensesame54321]

The plate of food sat untouched on the table across the room. Between her pregnancy and the wake and funeral, it had almost been too much for her. The tribute that Percy and the men had paid to Alexander, and to her, had touched her more than anyone could know. And sweet Sage had come up and kissed her hand. The rest of the family, despite not perhaps understanding its meaning, had been touched if they witnessed any part of the ceremony that Percy and the men had performed at the crypt. And Samuel had seen the bouquet presented to her at the wake and yet he wisely held his tongue. He suspected that there was more to the story, but knew that his Cousin-in-law would tell him should she wish him to know. Both he and Betsy were expecting their own child about a month or so after Veronique and Alexander’s would arrive and this all brought home to him that he too had a family that he should prepare for should the inevitable occur to him.

She was surprised yet grateful when Percy provided his supporting arm during the funeral. She had not realized how much she had needed it and was thankful that it was there.

The boys had been surprisingly well behaved for two year olds. They had not seen Alexander’s body as it had lain in the viewing room. She had been surprised at just how well the men had managed to clean him up when again she saw him, and Anna herself had worked to fix his hair the way he usually wore it and even tried to disguise some of the damage that those beast had done to his face. But it could not all be hidden though his appearance was some improvement over what it had been when last she saw his body. Still, she did not want the boys to see their father like that. Better they remember him as the laughing, viral man that he had once been. She would one day tell them the truth.

A majority of the staff was in attendance including Clair and Jane to take care of the Twins. Just in case Timothy should sneak in to try to attend, both she and Clair wore light capes that would help hide the figure. They made use of them, wiping away the boys tears with them or wrapping them around the boys like a light blanket in the chill of the chapel, and the pocket within also held hankies for snotty noses. The boys looked achingly adorable in their white suits with black trim. And Carlton stood up straight and tall during most of the service. Yet, during a lull in the ceremony, as if on cue, the boys spoke out as one, their plaintive cry of “Daddy” in the quiet chapel caused a fresh round of crying from even the hardest of hearts of those assembled. Whereupon Leander crawled up in his Mother’s lap and burst into tears, burying his face in her neck.

Veronique saw the world through a blur, between the black veil and the constant tears, and for the most part had to rely upon Samuel or Geoffrey or Percy to supply an arm to lean on or help her over the rocky ground.

Once back home, Veronique was helped up the stairs and to her room. The cook had a tray waiting for her, yet food was the last thing on her mind. Revenge was what she wanted. That stupid Constable had chalked Alexander’s death up to Death by Misadventure.

Murder! It was plain Murder! She now left things to Percy to find justice for her husband. Her Beloved. Her Alexander.

 

[cumnchat]

The doors of the restaurant burst open and the four French men swaggered in noisily shouting for wine and the menu. Nettle gritted his teeth and hurried to do their bidding. The four were so confident that they were untouchable that they took no notice of the other dozen or so customers.

In the kitchen Nettle said what he would like to do to them if he had his way but Percy's words of caution came back to him and he took their order of L,'Escargot cooked in garlic and began preparing the Beef Bourguignon when it was ready he added his own ingredient by clearing his throat and spitting into the stew only then did he stir in the tasteless relaxant, he added a little extra just to make sure, then served it with a flourish,

"Gentlemen, you will never taste anything like this again."

The four Frenchmen tucked in and shouted their praise of how tasty it was.

Thirty minutes later the other customers carried the four drowsy men out to a waiting covered wagon drawn by two horses. Sage and Mint sat in the rear as well with loaded and cocked pistols at the ready.

"Dover here we come." Was the cry.

 

[Opensesame54321]

And so life began without Alexander. Over the next week various members of the family that had arrived for the viewing and the funeral, returned to their homes and their lives. Caroline left with the promise that she would return in a week or two to check on her and that in the meantime she was only several hours away.

The last to leave was Samuel and Betsy. The parting was a very tearful one and Samuel promised to return before hers and Alexander’s baby arrived, and that he would bring Betsy and the baby once it was safe for them both to travel.

The two women hugged each other and Betsy whispered to her best friend, “I am so sorry.”

“Alexander and I had too little time together,” Veronique whispered back. “I now regret every stupid argument that we ever had.” She tried hard not to tear up. “Cherish Samuel.”

With a kiss, they left and suddenly the house seemed too quiet. She stood looking around before wandering into the study. Memories of the two of them playfully making love in here rushed through her mind. Of him chasing her around the room before she let him catch her. Of him chewing on his lip as he poured over the estate ledgers.

Slowly she headed up the stairs towards the nursery. She could hear the boys as she drew closer and she opened to door to be greeted by a rush of giggles and sloppy kisses and choruses of “Mama!” She laughed and locked away her grief, wanting to make life easier for her babies.

Sitting in the rocking chair, Carlton and Leander fought to climb up into her lap. Clair started to take one of the boy, afraid that it was too much for the pregnant widow. Veronique shook her head.

“No, while I can still hold them both in my lap.

Carlton laid his head against her chest. “Mama, where’s Papa?”

Her heart caught in her chest. “Papa wanted to be here with you. With both of you. Because you know that he loves you both very, very much.”

Carlton nodded and Leander spoke up. “Luff Papa! Dis much!” Whereupon he stretched his arms as far apart as they would go. Again Carlton nodded his agreement and was tenacious. “Papa!”

Her smile was there, but was sad.

“Papa wants to be here more than anything else. But God has a job for him to do and he has to do it. But you are always who he thinks of. We just have to make him proud of us. Right, Stinkers?”

“Slinkers!” Leander shouted and they all laughed.

“Right! Slinkers!”

Later that night, she cried herself to sleep. With time, perhaps the crying would lessen. But the broken heart would never leave.

 

[cumnchat]

When the wagon came to a halt the four Frenchmen found themselves bound and a sack over each of their heads.

"Mind how you go, gents, we wouldn't want you to fall and hurt yourselves would we?" The disembodied voice jeered them as they were manhandled down from the wagon and across a gangplank to the "DAY DREAM", Sr Percy Blakeney's yacht.

"Put them in the chain locker Sage, we'll keep them out of sight until we are well out at sea."

The captives had no inkling of whom their captors were or why they had been abducted but that would change in the next few hours and put the fear of the Lord into them.

Mid morning they were brought up on deck and the sacks removed from their heads, they found themselves surrounded by a group of menacing, well dressed men, clothes that spoke of money and breeding, the very things that these four detested.

The leader, a very tall and well built man they instantly recognised as Sir Percy Blakeney, spoke.

"Listen to me well, If you hear your name step forward, do not speak, if you speak you will be punished."

One of the men behind him held a cat o' nine tails and grinned.

"XAVIER DUPOIS,,,,,FRANCIS MUNCEL,,,,, PIERRE CHAUVELIN,,,,,GAUL BISTER."

One by one they stepped forward without knowing why their names were called.

Percy addressed them,

"You know me as Sir Percy Blakeney but I also have another name, The Scarlet Pimpernel!"

"Francis Muncel spoke out, "That cannot be true we saw him dead ourselves."

"Be quiet you fool," hissed Chauvelin

"Too late Chauvelin, your compatriot has just confirmed this court's suspicions, you are all guilty of the murder of Lord Alexander Abraham Vernay, the sentence for this crime is death. We know that no court in either France or England would convict you on the evidence we have presented but as we are not in either country we are not bound by their laws so sentence will be carried out immediately, I suggest you make your peace with God."

The four were bound together with heavy chains and amid their screams of protest they were manhandled over the side into the choppy waters of the English Channel.

Two days later Percy rode up to Veronique's home and bade her sit when she received him in the morning room.

His message was short and simple.

"It is done Veronique, Alexander has been avenged, the how and where you do not need to know."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Anna helped her hurriedly dress, the black crepe dress scratchy and hot and heavy. Just an hour ago she had been wretching into the chamberpot. She knew that she looked pale but there really was not much that she could do about it.

The rest of the house slept, yet she suddenly felt as if every nerve was on edge. Anna had knocked on her bedroom door and slipped in, telling her that Sir Percy was waiting to see her immediately. She had not seen him since the funeral. Something in Anna’s voice told her to hurry.

She moved slower than she wished but between the baby and this dress that seemed to hinder her, she did her best. She walked into the morning room, and Percy instantly stood, waiting for her to close the door. He asked her to sit and she indicated the place beside her on the sofa and he sat.

“Percy?” Her voice was quiet, and Percy almost had to strain to hear her.

It is done Veronique, Alexander has been avenged, the how and where you do not need to know.

Closing her eyes, she shakily took a deep breath as tears slid down her cheeks. Somehow he wound up holding her hand, as if to pass his strength to the grieving widow through the physical contact. But it surprised him as her grip grew tighter and tighter, till he thought that she would break it.

Just as suddenly she stopped and released his hand.

“Alexander thanks you, and you certainly have my eternal thanks.”

When Percy left, Veronique said good night to Sanders and climbed back up the stairs. Anna was waiting to help her undress and once Veronique was in bed, she lay there crying. At least Alexander’s death had been avenged. And nothing should lead back to either Percy or the men or to her.

It was several weeks later, on a surprisingly warm October afternoon that she was informed that Constable Wainwright was waiting in the morning room to speak with her. The man quickly got to the point.

“Have you ever heard of Xavier Dubois, Francis Muncel, Pierre Chauvelin, or Gaul Bister? Do they sound familiar at all?”

She sat there contemplating on the names. These must be who had killed her Alexander. But her face held only a blank look.

“No. Should I?”

“They are four Frenchmen that have turned up missing.” He paused and she waited.

“They were at the ball that your husband attended at Lord and Lady Astermain’s.”

“I could not attend as I was not feeling well,” and she placed her hand upon her very pregnant belly. The Constable nodded his understanding.

“These men have disappeared and we suspect that they have escaped back to France. We did search their lodgings, and though we did not find any sign of foul play with them, we did find a journal in the room of this Chauvelin. In it, he admits that they came across your husband and suspected him of being the Scarlet Pimpernel. I’m very sorry, but they then overpowered your husband and kidnapped him.”

Veronique eyes began to tear and Wainwright paused while she cried, afraid of telling too much to the very pregnant women, but she wiped her tears and bade him continue.

“I have to admit that quite frankly I have always believed the Scarlet Pimpernel to be a myth, a joke, a silly poem recited by children and drunken fools. But these men were actually looking for this pimpernel character.”

“I can promise you that my husband was never any pimpernel. He was Alexander Abraham Vernay. And I can promise you that he never would have gone to any house like the one where he was found outside of. My husband loved me and I love him with all my heart.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship. In his journal, he admits that they took your husband there and killed him. They wanted to smear his name. The even scarier part is that they also had a list of additional members of the aristocracy that they planned on murdering. I can assure you that should they return to the area, they will be arrested.”

“Would you please be sure to make this information known so that my Husband’s good name is returned to him? I and his children deserve that. My husband deserves that.”

Wainwright agreed and eventually left. Veronique was greatly relieved and informed the staff of the information that she had been given by the Constable. That night, as she lay in bed crying she spoke to Alexander.

“My Beloved, your good name has been restored to you. Your children have a name that they can be proud of. Maybe one day I can tell them of your exploits and how you helped save the lives of those people.”

Her voice was soft as if a prayer to him. “I love you so much and I miss you more each and every day.”

The next morning when she awoke, her eyes noticed the pillow on Alexander’s side of the bed. There was a dent in it as if his head had lain on it. She reached out to feel it but was only met with the cool fabric.

“You know, my Love. I know that you know.”

She soon was told by others that the Constable had been true to his words and released the information about what had been done to Alexander and what the four Frenchmen had planned. Lord Astermain was outraged to discover that his name was on the list of those destined for murder in Chauvelin’s attempt of justice - death to the aristocracy. Even Percy’s name was on the list. Very ironic.

About four months later, sweet Jane went into labor and delivered a little girl, which she named Mary Esther. She and Anna and Claude had talked and come to a decision. Jane would let Anna and Claude raise her child as their own with the understanding that she would become an Aunt to the little girl. It was a great relief to Jane, and she would be able to see her and play with her and watch her grow up.

It was fortuitous that Alexander had expanded the nursery for several weeks later, Veronique herself went into labor and eventually delivered twins again, this time a girl and a boy. The girl she named Lora Rose and the boy she named Alexander Abraham Vernay II. Both were fine and healthy.

The boy were excited to have a sister and another brother and spent a large portion of time wanting to play with the babies and asking questions. With Jane’s baby, Mary Esther, the nursery was full.

Once Samuel and Betsy’s baby was born - a sweet little girl that they named Veronique Alexandrea after her and Alexander honoring her and her devotion to her husband, the three traveled to visit Veronique and the rest of the family. Veronique got a chance to hold her namesake and was happy to have the company for the week that they were there.

Veronique was not so isolated as she had feared. Percy and Caroline were regular visitors, and Percy was the first to help young Carlton and Leander ride those large hobby horses that he had gifted the boys at their birth.

At the end of the first year of mourning, the boys were allowed to wear regular clothes and were glad to do so. Both were about 28 months old and full of energy. Carlton seemed to be the more adventurous of the two and Leander was an absolute charmer and she suspected that he would grow up to be very popular with the opposite sex. He was a shade thinner than his brother and possessed a very quick wit. Carlton seemed destined for the military as any stick that he would find while playing outside quickly became his sword.

The boys had finally stopped asking when Papa would be coming back. Veronique had explained that Papa now lived in heaven and helped God watch over them and they must be good and make him proud.

She had thought that was the end of that. Until one day when the boys had been especially bad. Carlton had hit Leander several times with his stick sword and actually caused bruises on his brother. Whereupon Leander had called his brother several bad names and hit him back. Clair has been hit in the process and both boys got their behinds swatted by her hand when Clair reported the incident. They were ordered to stay in their rooms and would not be allowed to eat supper with Veronique.

She was very upset about having to punish them, despite the fact that she had not really hit them hard. She hoped that would be the end of it, but it wasn’t.

The next morning, she went to see them first thing after waking. Wearing her black wrapper, she was surprised to find both boys waiting for her. Both ran to her and threw their arms around her legs, apologizing for yesterday’s behavior.

“Papa told us to behave.”

“What do you mean, Carlton?” Her heart was beating fast as the little ones spoke.

“Papa comes in the night.” Leander nodded in agreement.

“You mean that it is somebody that looks like Papa?”

Leander corrected her.

“No, it is Papa. He told us that he is shamed by us. That we not fight each other.”

Carlton piped up. “We ... we fight a back pony!”

“A back pony?”

Leander corrected his brother. “No! A black pony!”

“You mean fight for the dark horse?”

“Yes!”

The longer she talked to them the more she discovered a secret that they had been keeping. The twins swore that periodically Alexander would appear to them at night. They said that he would talk to them and tell them to mind Mama and Clair and Jane. He would scold them when they had been bad and told them that his love for them was forever. The boys said that he would watch the babies Lora Rose and Alexander and sing to them.

It was then that Veronique really realized that Alexander was still watching over his family. She found out that Clair and Anna and several of the others had seen and heard things - wisps of smoke and possible tricks of light. And Clair swore that she had heard a man softly singing in the nursery yet when she had entered she only found all the babies asleep. She had chalked it up to a dream.

Alexander was still here.

As the years passed, the children grew. Carlton and Leander grew up into handsome young men. Carlton did indeed join the military and earned numerous awards and medals. He met and fell in love with a cute little French girl named Madeline Auvergne and they married and had twin girls and a boy.

Leander became an eloquent speaker and was soon in politics. At one point, as he was running for a particular office, his opponent tried a smear campaign by stating that Leander Vernay was the son of a man killed outside a whorehouse in a fight over a prostitute.

The children had been raised being told the truth of what had happened to their Father, and indeed had proof of exactly what had happened. Even Constable Wainwright, who was finishing up an illustrious career, was willing to set the facts straight and Leander won by a landslide.

The young man had been seeing a young lady named Belinda Johnstone and they were soon married, producing twin boys that they named Gabriel Alexander and Percy Nicholas.

Lora Rose grew up to be a beautiful young lady, very popular with the young men. Eventually she was proposed to by a young man named Giles Evert. They had one son that they named William Rupert. Giles and Lora moved their family to London where Giles became a member of The Peelers, on the side of law enforcement.

Alexander Abraham Vernay II favored his father the most of all the siblings. He stayed at the estate, taking care of his Mother and the rest of the estate. He married a young lady named Lady Charlotte Bennett and, living at the estate, promptly filled the nursery with his progeny, with twin daughters - Isabel Maria and Rachel Cecilia, then a boy - Alexander Abraham III, a girl named Arabella Ruth, and another boy that was named Andrew Joseph.

And Veronique? She lived the rest of her life on the estate, watching her children and grandchildren grow up. And lamenting over the death of her Beloved Alexander. Whenever she was most grieved over him, he would appear and talk to her and offer his love to her. He was contented with his family and how each one had grown to be someone that he could be proud of. Each child had become an intricate and honorable member of society and the name Vernay became a well-known name.

Percy and Caroline remained close to the family until the day when Percy was shot during one of the escapades of their group. He made it home but eventually died in Lady Caroline’s arms of his wounds. He had changed his will, leaving all to Lady Caroline instead of his wife.

Marcel du Charpentier, the son of poor Bella, grew up to be a fine young man. Once his grandparents died, he was invited to move in with Percy and Caroline, and was there to aid Lady Caroline in the running of the estate after the death of Percy. The young man fell in love with Jane’s daughter, Mary Esther. The young girl had inherited her mother’s beauty and was sweet and possessed perfect manners. Soon the two were married and the young lady moved into Percy’s estate where she and Marcel eventually had two children, a boy and a girl. The girl they named Amabella, a little Bella that possessed the same beauty of her grandmother. Everyday Caroline was amazed at how much little Bella favored her namesake. The boy they named Aaron Percy.

Jane never married and stayed with the Vernays until her dying days. Anna and Claude never had a child of their own but raised Mary Esther as their own.

And Veronique? She mourned the death of Alexander the rest of her life. Once her period of official mourning was over, she went to wearing only light grey and was a loving mother and grandmother. Eventually, old age came to the woman and in her last days, she grew gradually weaker and weaker as her large family gathered around her to say their goodbyes.

The room grew quiet as she took her last breath, the sounds of sobbing filling the bedroom. Yet she suddenly felt no pain. Looking around she could see everyone gathered around her bed, their crying filling the air. In the bed lay her body, now dead. But a voice came from behind her and she turned to find Alexander smiling at her.

“My Love, I have waited for you. I could not leave without the one that was the beating of my heart.”

He took her hand and suddenly there was a rush of emotion through her. She could hear Leander speaking.

“She is at last with Papa. May they both be happy and Rest In Peace.”

Alexander kissed her as above them a bright light appeared. “Are you ready, my Love? We begin a great journey together but we can return anytime that one of them recalls us.” He stretched out his arm to the gathered family. “We are but a memory away,” he told her as they lifted up together, hand in hand.

*****

As you probably guessed, this is the end of “The Purple Thistle”. It has been a joy to write this story with Cumnchat and I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it.

We hope that you will be sure to read the other stories that Cumnchat and I are writing, both together and with others.

Thank you

Opensesame54321 (Sesame)