Auntie Mayhem by Mary Daheim Page A

can’t see through you. All of you. And before anybody gets their hopes up, I don’t intend to meet my Maker just yet. I’m not going anywhere, except to bed. Good night.”
    With that remarkable speech, Aunt Pet signaled for Walter and Arthur to carry her upstairs. Naturally, they didn’t dare demur.
    For several minutes after Aunt Pet’s departure, the only sound was the wind. The old house seemed to sigh. With a sudden shiver, Judith wondered if it yearned for peace.
    She sensed that even at ninety-four, Aunt Pet preferred war.

SIX
    S ATURDAY BROUGHT DRIZZLE , and an occasional glimpse of sun. It was typical for April, with weather that the cousins knew well. The climates of England and the Pacific Northwest were very similar.
    Charles and Claire insisted on devoting their day to showing Judith and Renie the sights. The Marchmont Bentley purred along narrow roads, effortlessly carrying its passengers over the soft hills of Somerset. Small, almost perfect villages, many with thatched roofs and whitewashed walls, nestled in the valleys. There were inns and churches and farms, all brightened by spring flowers, blossoming fruit trees, lush shrubs, and that orderly chaos known as the English country garden.
    They stopped to view the quietly imposing cathedral at Wells, the stark ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, the enduring magnificence of Dunster Castle. The cousins were awed by the sheer rock face of Cheddar Gorge, impressed by the heath-covered expanse of Exmoor, and charmed by the breathtaking panorama from Cothelstone Beacon.
    By the time they returned to Ravenscroft House shortly after three-thirty, Judith and Renie admitted to fatigue. Claire was more frank:
    â€œI must lie down for a while,” she said with a guilty little smile. “There’s so much to see in such a smallarea. Perhaps tomorrow we can go out again. You really should get to Devon and Cornwall.”
    Judith protested politely, though she knew that after a good night’s rest, she and Renie would be delighted to see more of the nearby sights. Meanwhile, they were expected to take tea with Aunt Pet. The old lady wasn’t coming down to dinner, and she’d extended the invitation before the cousins left in the morning.
    Judith and Renie trudged up the main staircase. “Maybe we’ll get a chance to unwind before cocktails,” Judith said hopefully. “I envy Claire’s afternoon siestas.”
    â€œThe only time I ever nap is when I fall facedown on my drafting board,” Renie remarked. “Claire’s a lot younger than we are. I’ll bet she doesn’t work half as hard, either.”
    The cousins had almost reached the third floor when Natasha came hurrying down the stairs, her face a mask of fury. She paused, barring the way.
    â€œIf you’re going to see the old dragon, forget it. She’s got my brother in there. It’s his turn to get bloody hell. I hope Aunt Pet chokes on her stupid tea!”
    Nats started down the rest of the stairs, but Judith called after her. “Is something wrong? I mean, has something happened while we were out?”
    Nats’s dark eyes flashed. “Nothing that should concern you. It’s strictly a family affair. Just be thankful the old bitch isn’t trying to run your life!” She continued on her angry way.
    Judith fingered the carved balustrade with its oak garlands and ivy. “We might as well go back to our rooms and change. We’re wearing pants .”
    But before they could reach the landing, a man’s voice reverberated in the stairwell: “You’re coldhearted, that’s what you are! Family, my frigging arse!” A door slammed, and Alex appeared, hurrying as fast and furiously as his sister. He brushed past the cousins with only a muttered apology.
    â€œWell?” Renie eyed Judith. “Shall we keep our pants on and take tea with Aunt Pet?”
    Judith considered, then nodded. “It’s