The party would not have to wait a week to see each other
again. After church on Sunday Kathryn threw an impromptu party of dinner and
cards. She invited the Cromwell sisters, Brandon, Nicholas and Julia. She also
invited some of Nicholas' friends George Manfred and Leonard Hopefelt in order
to even out the party. She said she invited Ethan Foster but he told her that
he was previously engaged. Also Mr. and Mrs. Dumont could not attend as they
had dinner plans but eagerly encouraged the girls to go on their own.
"How
odd that Mr. Foster would not wish to see us," Emmy said when Laurel and
her were alone.
"Kathryn
said he had other plans."
"Surely
plans he could get out of for such dear friends as us, well you Laurel. He must
not have known we were part of the party."
"Do
you not regard him highly Laurel?"
But
before Emmy could get an answer Laurel walked away.
Emmy was
able to get Kathryn a lone to inquire after Mr. Foster.
"Kathryn,
do you know Mr. Foster very well."
"A
little, he does not seem to socialize like other men of his fashion. He is
Nicholas' dear friend though they seem so different but Nicholas and Mr.
Danford always speaks highly of him so I take that as a good recommendation.
Why? How do you know him?"
"He
came to visit us for awhile before you came to see us, it was just for a few
weeks but I felt Laurel and him had an attachment but we have seen no word from
him since he left. Also a few days before your brother left Pine Haven, he
mentioned that a Ethan Foster was engaged to a Sally Lawrence. I say 'a' Ethan
Foster because I cannot believe it would be Laurel's Ethan Foster."
"As
far I know I think Laurel and Mr. Foster would be a fine match if his aunt
would ever allow him to marry. But I know nothing of any Sally Lawrence
connected with him but he says so little when he is around me and men talk so
little of their love lives but I will keep my ears on alert if I hear
anything."
"Oh
thank you Kathryn, you must not mention this to Laurel I would not wish her to
know anything till we are absolutely certain."
"Of
course not," Kathryn changed her tone to more of a somber one "I am
glad you pulled me aside I received word from my brother he will not be able to
come to Boston until the week before the wedding. I wish he would come sooner
but he says he cannot."
"Kathryn
you are so kind to tell me privately about this but I am not concerned."
"You're
not?" she sounded a bit surprised.
"Do
not get me wrong as much I would like to see him Aunt Iris has taught me some
valuable lessons when it comes to relationships."
Kathryn
kissed her on both cheeks then pulled her in for a hug."Miss Emmy you must
know I so long to call you my sister."
"And
I you."
Brandon
over heard the last part of their conversation and knew then that Emmy Cromwell
was still very much attached to his brother and that nothing had changed in
Emmy's heart. Emmy was confused of why Caleb stayed away from her, he did not
write her since he left Pine Haven. She told herself that his emotions were too
strong that he could not handle himself around her. He was being a gentleman
but separating himself from her before he crossed the line of impropriety. Emmy
tried not to let her confusion and worrisome show as the night went on.
Fortunately
for Emmy, Kathryn spent no more time discussing Caleb as Nicholas and Julia
were next to arrive. As soon as Julia arrive the mood in the house changed.
Julia pretended to be surprised to see her cousins again after short time
apart. After the last summer with Julia, Emmy no longer bought her enthusiasm as
genuine. It did seem to Emmy, Julia did seem sincerely happy even if she was
not truly happy to see her cousins. Occasionally Emmy noticed that Julia would
play with her necklace, taking the pedant in fingers and moving back and forth
over the chain. When she did this she had a endearing look it looked as if she
was guarding a little secret.
After
dinner Laurel took to the piano and played some soft music, any one would think
that Laurel took to the piano because of her strong love of music but she
mostly loved the solitary it allowed. Most of the dinner was full of small talk
and Laurel hated small talk. Also her dinner partner, George Manfred, jabbered
on about all the important people he knew and Laurel could care less of the
name dropping he did. Kathryn, Nicholas, Leonard Hopefelt and Julia were
playing a game of bridge. Kathryn initially invited Emmy to play but Emmy had
to admit she never learned that game and did not want to waste their time
having to teach her. Kathryn gave her one of her charming smiles and told Emmy
that she should come over for some lessons. Emmy was thankful to Kathryn but
knew Kathryn was far too busy to teach her cards. Instead, Emmy found a book on
the shelf that looked interesting and nestled into a corner in the couch. Every
once and awhile Emmy would look over hear Mr. Manfred talking to Brandon. Mr.
Manfred had discovered they knew some of the same people and had pulled Brandon
aside to discuss them. Emmy looked over at Brandon, her had tried to be polite
but it was obvious he was very bored. When Brandon noticed Emmy looking at him
he would give her a joking smile. He was so different here, Emmy thought, in
Pine Haven he was quiet and reserved and when Caleb was there he seemed almost
hostile. At dinner he was very attentive to her and they had a lovely
conversation about books he recommend Emmy to read. Emmy had found one of the
books on the shelf and it is why she pulled it aside.
"Miss
Emmy," Mrs. James caught her silently at Brandon "I do hope you
reading is not a sign of boredom."
"Oh
no Mrs. James I am not bored at all, I enjoy reading," Emmy said
cordially.
"Well
it is a good occupation of the mind."
"I
think so." Then Mrs. James sat down next to Emmy and Emmy closed her book
realizing this conversation would be awhile.
"Oh
that is a great book," Mrs. James said but before Emmy could respond she
said "I am sorry to keep you from it but you must all this old woman to be
selfish, you don't always get a moment to have a long moment to have long
conversation and I so want to get to know you better. Kathryn and Brandon had
your attention at the teat that I hardly get to know the woman my daughter
talked about so profusely. I know a lot about the Danford family they are one
of the best families in Boston but I know so little about the Cromwells."
Emmy
took a deep breath. She thought about the truth her father dying a penniless
book publisher, her mother force to sale all their valuables to pay off his
debts, and then moving to Pine Haven to live by the charity of their
Grandmother. What would Laurel say if Emmy told Mrs. James the truth, a truth
Laurel wanted to bury away.
"My
father trained to be a lawyer, that is where he met my uncle, but my
grandfather got sick so my father took over his publishing company."
"That
must be where your love of books come from."
"Yes
my father loved to read. He always encouraged Laurel and I have to read. Unfortunately
he died before my younger sister was old enough to get his encouragement. But we
continue on with his perseverance."
"Oh
you have a younger sister?"
"Yes
Gloria is almost twelve. She wanted to come to Boston with Laurel and I but
mother thought she was too young."
"Oh
I wish you mother had come I would like to meet her. I remember when Fiona
Danford was presented into society she made the papers up and down the east
coast."
"Yes
my mother told me."
"But
then she disappeared almost and I remember nothing about the wedding to your
father."
Emmy
took another deep breathing, how could she explain that her parents had eloped.
Emmy knew it was not something people talked about. She used to think it was
romantic but Laurel corrected her and told her it was a mark of shame.
"Mother
and father wanted a quiet wedding."
"Kathryn
wanted a quiet ceremony too but when great families come together Mrs. Danford
and myself thought a lavish affair would only be appropriate. I am surprised
Mrs. Danford allowed your mother to have a quiet ceremony."
Emmy took
another deep breath as her eyes nervously searched the room.
"Mother
are you making Miss Emmy uncomfortable?" Kathryn asked, she had sneaked up
on the conversation. Now all the eyes of the party were on them.
"No,
Miss James, we were just talking. Mrs. James wanted to get to know me better,
she was asking me about my mother."
"Oh
Mrs. Cromwell is divine."
"Yes
I was telling Miss Emmy I remember where her mother was presented how she made
all the papers up and down the east coast."
"Then
she asked about my father." Emmy looked purposefully at Laurel who
understood the look right away.
"Emmy,
I am not feeling very well do you mind if we go home," Laurel asked
pretending to look ill.
"Oh
I am sorry Mrs. James we should head home."
"May
I escort you Miss Cromwell and Miss Emmy," Brandon stood up.
"That
would be nice," Emmy said.
It did
not take long for them to get back to the Dumont home. Laurel went inside but
Emmy stayed on the stoop to thank Brandon for the ride.
"Miss
Emmy, what was Mrs. James asking you about?"
"I
told you my mother and father."
"Is
that why you looked nervous and Laurel felt sick."
"What?"
"I
know your look Miss Emmy, you had at it once at the tea, you had it a few times
in Pine Haven. You have it whenever you look as if you don't know what to say.
I want to save you but Mr. Manfred hardly me to say anything."
"Thank
you for wanting to save me but really Mrs. James was just asking me about my
mother and father."
Brandon
could sense her tone had changed.
"Miss
Emmy do not get upset, I was not trying to offend you. I was just making sure
my step mother was behaving herself she likes to get a little nosey."
Emmy
lightened her tone. "I am sorry Mr. James you have always been so kind to
me and I get so defensive."
"Defensive
about what?" Brandon was not thinking and put his hand gently on her arm.
"Laurel
would not be happy, so you must not tell her what I am about to tell you. My
mother and father eloped because my grandparents never approved of him, and
then he died penniless. We now live at the generosity of my grandmother."
Then she lowered her gaze "oh Laurel you must not tell Laurel I told you
all that, no one knows outside the family."
"Of
course Miss Emmy your family's secret is safe with me." Brandon tilted her
chin up so he could look into her eyes. "I promise."
"Thank
you Mr. James, I know.
The door
then swung open and Brandon stepped back quickly.
"Oh
Mr. James, what are you doing out here?" Aunt Iris asked.
"He
was making sure Laurel and I get home all right Aunt Iris," Emmy said
trying to hide her blush. She could not help it but she felt a little something
when Brandon touched her chin.
"Yes
Laurel came in five minutes ago, I got worried when you did not follow
her."
"I
was confirming our meal Mrs. Dumont," Brandon said.
"Oh
it is Wednesday at seven. Now Emmy come in before you get a chill.
"Yes
Aunt Iris."
"See
you Wednesday Mr. James," Aunt Iris said before closing the door.
Brandon
did not even have time to say good night before the door was shut.
"Emmy,"
Aunt Iris snapped "How could you stand outside talking alone to a man do
you know what the neighbors might think if they saw such a thing."
"What
do you mean?"
"A
girl standing alone with a gentleman could be quite the scandal."
"Mr.
James and I a scandal?"
"He
is not married or family, you are still young and innocent but you standing
with a man could give bad implications."
"Oh
Aunt, he is far too old for anyone to think we are suitors and besides he looks
at me as if I were his sister."
"Then
why did he back away so quickly."
"Believe
me Aunt Iris if I thought anything wrong was going to happen I would have come
in right away. He is a good friend that is all."
"Just
be careful Emmy, you are now out in society and I would not want to see you
destroy the good reputation you have."
"Yes
Aunt Iris," Emmy was standing on the stair case two or three steps above
Mrs. Dumont so she could lean a bit and kiss her forehead to wish her aunt a
good night.
The week
passed by. The dinner with Mr. James went off without a hitch and Mrs. Dumont
was Mr. Dumont and Mr. James did get along. Brandon wrote in his thank you note
that he found Mr. Dumont of exceeding intelligent and a good conversationalist.
Emmy giggled at this part as far as she could see Mr. James and Mr. Dumont
hardly said two sentences to each other, maybe talked more when they shared
brandy together. But Mrs. Dumont was happy Brandon found the evening a success.
Mrs. Dumont watched Mr. James and saw the way he looked at Emmy the way he acted
towards her, the way he seemed to notice only her when she was in the room, and
Mrs. Dumont knew it Brandon saw Emmy more than a younger friend. No matter what
Emmy said or thought.
While
Mrs. Dumont and Emmy were wrapped up in making calls Laurel found excuses to
always be in attendance. She would tell her sister and aunt that she was
calling on her friend. Some of the time that was true most of the time Laurel
wanted to break free of the mindless tasks and the endless small talk but
instead she would go on long walks. She would try to avoid the infamous address
of 126 Marlborough street but it was hard for her not to go by Ethan's home. It
was the only chance she had to catch a glimpse of him. For weeks he had not
accepted any of Kathryn's invites, he never went to the opera, or to charity
events that Aunt Iris took them to. He was always so focused, Laurel had seen
no more of that woman that plagued her memory at the way they laughed, he just
carried his brief case and a book under his arm. Laurel was very careful to
never walk on the same side of the street as he and when she did see him she
looked away as to not be noticed.
If you
did not know Laurel and Emmy before their trip to Boston you would think Laurel
was the silly romantic one and Emmy was the sensible one. But Boston seemed to
have changed the girls. Emmy fell favorably into society with her aunt guiding
the way and Laurel was one hiding away in her own world. Soon three weeks had
passed since the girls arrive in Boston and it was almost time for Kathryn and
Nicholas' wedding.
