Chapter 18: Catherine’s Crisis

Catherine Hawthorne called just after midnight.

The phone rang once, stopped, then rang again. Lillian was awake before the second ring ended, already alert in the way people become when bad news trains them to recognize its approach.

“Lillian,” Catherine said. Her voice was steady. Too steady.

“I’m here,” Lillian replied. “What happened.”

There was a pause. Measured. Controlled.

“They finalized the seating,” Catherine said. “For the gala.”

Lillian sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “All right.”

“They moved Henry,” Catherine continued. “He was meant to sit with me. Margaret said it would be disruptive.”

Disruptive was the word Margaret Hawthorne favored when she wanted obedience without debate.

“Where will he be,” Lillian asked.

“With the children of donors,” Catherine said. “At a side table. Supervised.”

Supervised by whom went unspoken.

“And you,” Lillian said.

“I will be seated with Richard’s cousins. Margaret said it would present better.”

Better for whom did not