Dictated

[lightbranded]

 Sometimes, I think it is too quiet here.

[The opening of the art gallery had gotten Will to start thinking about his brother Max, who was away at art school. And from there Will had started to think about his other siblings. Stephen, away in the Merchant Marines. The twins, Robin and Paul. Barbara and Gwen and Mary. James, only a year older than Will.

He missed them all desperately.]

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

I think, perhaps, it is a mark of my age that I am grateful for the quiet. [She's kidding, of course. She's well aware that that's not likely the sort of quiet he's talking about.]

[lightbranded]

Surely not so old as all that.

[He was quietly grateful for her response, all the same.]

I think it is because it is so unlike home. In my home, there was nowhere you could go that you could not hear the presence of others. It always felt full of people, even when I was alone.

[inafadingcrown]

Full of life. [The smile comes through in her voice] You have a great many siblings, do you not? I did not have so many, but I had cousins also and we all lived near to one another, at least when I was young. I remember what it is like.

[lightbranded]

Quite a few, yes. Five brothers and three sisters. Home was always filled with noise.

[inafadingcrown]

I cannot do much for the lack noise or to give you the comfort of kin, but I do hope you know that if it is company you lack, you are always welcome with me.

[lightbranded]

And I thank you for that, Lady. It is very kind of you.

[inafadingcrown]

[A little laugh] You speak as though I do not benefit as well.

[lightbranded]

[He grins suddenly.]

There is that, of course.