5
As they disembarked into a pool of weak sunlight near the train, Fina realised she would have to explain to her friend why she’d been so reluctant to come on this visit. She took a breath. “My aunt Millicent – Lady Shillington, that is – is the sister of my father.”
Though not usually at a loss for words, Ruby only managed, “Oh.” She laid a hand on Fina’s shoulder as they walked into the station.
The gesture was enough to make the tears well up and Fina’s lips quiver. “Auntie, for lack of a better term, ‘cut me off’ – and my mother, too – after the trial and execution of my brother. She claimed ‘bad blood’ in the family caused Connor to kill our father. Even though nothing of the sort happened.”
“Of course, of course,” said Ruby, as they sat down on the benches inside the heated stat
