Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5 Read Online Free Page B

rush, we might make the burial,” he said. “It’s in Dorchester at Saint Mary’s.”
    “He can’t be buried there. He won’t be buried next to Mama.” I blinked away tears at the thought of my parents not buried beside each other.
    “Rissa, there’s nothing we can do about it. I’ve told the man that we’re in a rush, and all we can do is hope we arrive there in time.”
    After what seemed an eternity, but which I knew was really a very fast journey to Dorchester, the carriage jerked to a halt. Colin and I hurtled ourselves from the carriage. He held onto my arm, preventing me from falling into a puddle. “This way, Rissa,” Colin said and began to walk with his long gait toward the crowd in the center of the cemetery.
    “Col,” I gasped. “I can’t walk as fast as you.”
    “Then run,” he said as he picked up his pace. I trotted next to him. We raced past rows of granite headstones, some listing to one side. My feet sank into the dampened earth, a reminder of a recent rain. The bare-limbed trees provided no relief to the solemn occasion.
    As we approached those gathered, I heard disgruntled murmurings. All the mourners were attired in severe black mourning clothes, whereas Colin and I were in traveling clothes. As it was a cold November, Colin wore a dark gray overcoat with a bright green scarf. I had worn my warmest jacket, a burgundy wool with black scrollwork detailing.
    I heard the priest speaking in a purposeful yet monotone voice and moved in that direction. We pushed our way forward until we were near the front, standing beside our stepmother, Mrs. Sullivan, who Colin and I continued to call by her first married name, Mrs. Smythe. I tried to focus on the priest’s words, but all I could see was the deep chasm scarring the ground filled with my father’s coffin. Soon it would be covered by dirt and all that would remain as a reminder of my da would be a headstone.
    I stifled a sob and leaned into Colin. The priest intoned “Amen,” and a chorus of “Amens” washed over us.
    I heard someone gasp and glanced to my left. I met Savannah’s huge eyes an instant before she shrieked. “Rissa! Colin!” She rushed toward us and enveloped first Colin and then me in hugs. “I never thought you’d make it.” She returned her mother’s frown as her exuberant welcome had momentarily paused the burial.
    “We’ll explain everything later, Sav,” I whispered. “Stand with us?”
    “Of course,” she said, looping her arm through mine.
    A moment later I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and heard Lucas murmur in my ear. “It’s wonderful to see you, Rissa, although I’m so sorry.” I leaned backward into him for a moment before standing tall and attempting to focus on the remainder of the burial.
    As Mrs. Smythe moved forward to toss dirt on the grave, I knew I needed to also be a part of the ceremony. “Col?” I whispered.
    “Yes, I agree,” he said. We walked forward and each picked up handfuls of dirt. As I held mine over the open grave, I thought of my da and mama together at last, and said a prayer that they were reunited in heaven, even though they wouldn’t be next to each other in the graveyard. I opened my hand, watching as the dirt fluttered down to coat the top of his casket.
    I rejoined Savannah and Lucas and, with Colin, we formed a small circle of sorrow. After the final blessing, I waited for other mourners to pay their respects. However, they spoke with Mrs. Smythe and then departed, without speaking with either Colin or me. A few nodded their heads in deference, but most filed past without acknowledging us.
    “You aren’t properly attired, Rissa,” Savannah whispered.
    “We just arrived on the train this morning. How were we to change our clothes and make the burial on time?”
    “Many see it as disrespectful to your father to come dressed as you are,” Lucas said as he nodded to an acquaintance. “And many haven’t forgotten the scandal from last year when you ran