At first Charles had wanted to stay near his family, but it became quickly apparent that it wouldn't be possible. His mother was consoling Lady Wexley and he hadn't the faintest idea of what to say to any of the Wexleys that would ease their grief. He was sure, in fact, that nothing anyone could say to them that day would do any such thing. His family had known the Wexleys for years, and yet he'd never been close with any of them. They were good people, and it was distressing to know that they were faced with the loss of such a good man as Lord Wexley.
He moved to stand by the refreshments and look at the painting of the man himself. Despite there being food and drink, he wasn't in the mood for either. It was sobering to be reminded that one day he would be in the place of Lord Wexley's son, John, having to take up where his father left off all the while keeping his grief at a manageable level. And he was reminded too of his own mortality. He thought of a line from Hamlet and quoted it softly, half for the timeless image of Lord Wexley, and half for his own benefit.
"'All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.'"