Chapter Ten
Beatrice nodded and Mellie’s shoulders relaxed as she came down the stairs to join Beatrice. “Thank goodness. My mother has taken to her bed. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that by yourself, Beatrice. Was it awful?”
“Not really. I got the impression that Tessa just didn’t really think about the timing of her visit. She was mostly frustrated that she hadn’t been able to meet with your father when he was alive and that her efforts to reach out to him had been rebuffed.”
Mellie said wryly, “No surprise there. My father wasn’t the biggest fan of being taken by surprise. Or in developing relationships. It was hard enough spending time with him as one of his children he did acknowledge.” She paused and flushed a little bit. “I think the whole family has been thinking that Tessa
