"It would all end well"

            The next day Emmy felt better until she remembered what happened and where she was. She was Aunt and Uncle's house knowing that her cousin Julia was probably just waiting for her to come just waiting for her to come out of her room so she could rub it in Emmy's nose. Emmy flashed back to that first party she had seen Julia at when she looked as if she was tenderly guarding a secret. At that time Emmy almost believed her to be sweet but now it all made sense Julia was guarding her secret about their engagement. Then at the rehearsal dinner how quick she was to tease Emmy for the way Caleb acted, it was all a fun joke to Julia. Her head now pounded and requested her breakfast in her room.

            "How long is going to stay," Julia moaned at breakfast.

            "She just fainted just last night darling," Victoria said.

            "I know but with the announcement last night I really thought we could start planning the wedding."

            "If we start today or tomorrow it will not make that big of difference. You have plenty of time till June."

            "June?" Julia moaned again "I want to be married as quickly as possible, I do not want to wait till June."

           

            "Yes June, Nicholas and Kathryn will not be back from Italy till at least March and March is far too cold. Besides how would it look if we took the attention from Kathryn, she deserves some time to be the bride of this family. I had to wait eight-teen months before my mother and father even announced my engagement after my sister was married. We announced your engagement barely a week after Nicholas and Kathryn's wedding because you moaned and begged so much but you will not beg your way into getting us to push up the wedding."

            "Then what if Caleb and I eloped?"

            "Then your father will cut you off without a dime and I hardly expect Mr. James can afford to risk it."

            Julia threw herself on the chair she felt she could hardly risk having Emmy and Caleb in the same city for one more day. While he acted coldly to her outwardly Julia felt from the way he talked about when they were alone that he could possible still have feeling for her and Julia would not risk him falling for her again as he did in Pine Haven. By then Julia knew a bit of the true story of Caleb's financial situation, only Mr. Danford made sure to know the whole truth before anything was settled, but Julia loved him with all her heart and did not care how little he brought to the table so Mr. Danford agreed as long as the money remained in Julia's possession and Caleb followed strict guidelines would they consent. Mr. Danford required that his future son-in-law start his new business and head quarter it in Boston so Mr. Danford and Mr. Danford's investors could watch it closely. Also if in three years the business had not done well Caleb would work for Mr. Danford in order to make sure his daughter was well provided for. Julia did not know of this arrangement for all she talked about was how wonderful life would be like in New York. Until June, Caleb would live in New York closing up his New York office and settling up his accounts. Caleb owed some money around town and there Mr. Danford helped him too. For all this Mr. Danford thought Julia's wedding cost him more than he would think but Caleb was always a smooth talker and had been able to convince Mr. Danford it would be worth his investment. Mr. Danford was quick to protect all his investments stating that if anything unsettling happened before the wedding then both Julia and Caleb would be left without a dime, making elopement impossible for the couple. Also if Caleb ill treated Julia in any way during their marriage Mr. Danford had every right to take his money away from Caleb. Julia told her parents that this was true love and she thought her parent were going to extreme measures. Still Mr. and Mrs. Danford would not acknowledge the engagement until after Caleb signed off on all of this, which he had done the night of the dinner party. And Julia had to follow her parents orders so the wedding date was set for June twelfth.

            Since Emmy had not been able to come down for breakfast Aunt Victoria thought it was best to keep Emmy at their home for the day giving her rest. Emmy felt as if Aunt Victoria was doing this completely out of family obligation, it would never look right for a family member to cast out their relative while they were ill. It wasn't that Emmy was ill she couldn't face her cousin and the gloating that would come if she saw her cousin. However she could not stay in this house another day so the next day she got up her strength came down to breakfast, acted pleasantly enough whenever anyone brought up Caleb's name which Julia did a lot she tried to change topics. After breakfast she asked Aunt Victoria if she could return to Mrs. Dumont's home. Aunt Victoria worried a bit that Emmy was not quite ready. Emmy assured her she was plenty healthy to satisfy Aunt Victoria to invite Mrs. Dumont to tea and then Mrs. Dumont could see Emmy safely home. Aunt Victoria consented to this arrangement and wrote Mrs. Dumont quickly about it. Emmy could see that Julia was cheerfully smiling. Emmy thought that it was because she wanted to gloat but Julia wanted her to leave so her mother and her could start planning her and Caleb's official engagement party.

            There is little conversation to record from that day Emmy tried to stay far away from her cousin as possible. She wished she was back in Pine Haven at least there if she wanted to away she could hide in her woods and none really came looking for her. Here in Boston the houses were smaller with maids running around everywhere and at every hour. She could not even escape outside for people crowded the sidewalks, carriages and motor coaches filled the streets, there seemed to be no place of absolute solitude and right now that is what Emmy needed. She need to get away and try to process it all that had happened in the last forty-eight hours for none of it made sense. Though Caleb never had said it he certainly acted as if he loved her, he had hinted at them running away together. surely that must of meant something. Then she came here to see him  so cold and distant did not make sense and now to learn he is engaged to her cousin it was all mind boggling. Uncle Charles had said they didn't want to announce their engagement till after Nicholas was married, could they could have been engaged that when time in Pine Haven? Was his flirtation to her been all a joke between Julia and Caleb? None of it made sense and in her time of needing her woods she was far away from all she knew. Her only comfort in that day was seeing Aunt Iris who promptly took her back home after tea.

            "Aunt Iris, I am so happy to be back, that house was torturous for me I do not know if could survive much longer. It tool all the strength I had to act normal so Aunt Victoria would allow me to come back."

            "Yes I am sure the news of your cousin's engagement would be quite unsettling."

            "It was and how I longed for my woods to escape into."

            "I would then encourage you to go back to Pine Haven but I feel luck has changed for Laurel. Mr. Foster came by today and stayed almost an hour and half."

            "Really?"

            "Yes he came under the pretenses of seeing you but he did not seem to hesitate staying when he learned you were still at the Danfords."

            "Did he say anything else about the party?"

            "Very little, just that before the announcement you were the talk of the party."

            "Anything else?"

            "No he just made sure to tell us that he made sure you had a wonderful evening." Emmy gave a sigh of relief. "Though Alfred did tell me about the gossip of you and Mr. Foster being a couple. Do not worry I did not tell Laurel, who would believe it anyway Mr. Foster so clearly has eyes for Laurel."

            "Thank you Aunt Iris, I was so humiliated when I thought people thought that about Mr. Foster and I. I could not bore to think what Laurel would do if she knew the gossip. I did not even know Mr. Dumont had heard the rumors he seemed so immune to it that night."

            "Alfred always knew everything, just certain things he cares not to talk about and to him had no validity so he cared not to pass it on."

            "I am very thankful to Mr. Dumont's modesty."

            Laurel and Emmy were happy to see each other again. Laurel was sorry she could not be there to pick up her sister, Aunt Iris was still concerned over Laurel's health and could not take any risk. Emmy understood perfectly, she told Laurel how awful it was to be in that house and how she kept replaying the announcement over and over again. Emmy wished she had never gone to that party, how she had longed to see Caleb James, and now every memory of him hurt. The only good news was that he returned to New York on the first train yesterday so she would not have to see his face. Laurel stroked Emmy's hair much in the same way mother had always done. Laurel knew mother would know the perfect thing to say and all Laurel could think to say was how everything would be all right. That wasn't true, she knew and Laurel doubted rather her sister believed her. You could never tell a crying girl that it would be all right because at that moment it felt as if the world would cave in. Laurel knew all this but still was all she say.

            "Laurel, would you be upset if we went back to Pine Haven, I cannot stand to be in this city any more, I hardly have space to breath?"

            "Of course I would not mind," Emmy knew Laurel in her selfless way would say that.

            At breakfast they told Aunt Iris their wish to go home. Actually Laurel told their aunt of their wish to go home, Emmy had a hard time admitting that she did not stay in Boston, it was almost like admitting defeat. All her life she wanted some grand adventures and now when she was on her first actual adventure she had to run home unable to face it anymore. Aunt Iris was sad that they had wanted to go but compassionately understood.

            "Emmy," Aunt Iris had found her alone in her room looking down on the street below. "Please don't make your sister go home."

            "What?"

            "I know she would never say anything so I am asking on her behalf, please stay. I believe very strongly that Laurel might have a chance of love with Mr. Foster. She might be very reserved but I know it is what she longs for and I think given a few more weeks we can allow that to blossom between Mr. Foster and Laurel."

            "You think a few more weeks will do it?"

            "Oh yes I wish you could have seen the way they look at each other, it was right there and if they had a chance I know only good could come from it."

            Emmy looked at her aunt she had such pleading in her eyes that Emmy knew she could only say one thing in this moment. "All right Aunt Iris, of course we will stay. I doubt the post has gone out, pull Laurel's note to mother that I am sure she has written. We will tell Laurel that we still have some social obligations to fulfill and in between those you will encourage Mr. Foster over here as much as we can."

            Aunt Iris smiled and Emmy knew she had done right. Aunt Iris left the room quickly making sure to grab Laurel's letter to Fiona. She did not read it but if she had this is what she would have found…

My Dearest Mother,

            You sent us away to Boston so we could both find love but plans have changed. Emmy and I both grieve with heartache. Mr. Caleb James and Julia have announced their engagement leaving Emmy at a total loss. I feel something deep inside of Mr. Foster keeps him from expressing any hope of marriage. I do not know what you expected from this grand journey you sent us on. We have changed though, Emmy has grown up in these last few weeks, I am sometimes surprised to look at her and see a young woman where a girl used to be. I have also changed but in subtle ways that you have to see for yourself. We will leave Boston as soon as we can arrange it, keep you posted.

Love your daughter,

Laurel

            Iris pulled out Laurel's letter tossing it into the trash bin and quickly jotted a quick note to Fiona stating that the girls' social obligation kept them in Boston at least another month she had already written to Fiona about Laurel's health so made sure to write that Laurel was making a full recovery and felt better with each passing day. She saw no reason to inform Fiona of Mr. James' and Julia's engagement and how Emmy reacted to it. Victoria Danford would surely inform her sister in law soon enough and Emmy's reaction would just worry Fiona and since Emmy had agreed to stay Iris saw no need to worry Fiona. Since Iris had not read Laurel's letter feelings towards both Mr. Foster and Emmy.

            "It would all end well," Iris could feel it. 

The sisters and the engagements

Once dinner was over Emmy politely excused herself to Laurel's room. Laurel was not awake but Emmy didn't care she undid her shoes and let down her hair and pulled up close to her sister.

            The next part was all said in a soft whisper as to not disturb her sleeping sister. "Oh Laurel I have not been a good sister, I don't know what happened to us we used to be as thick as thieves. You were always my best friend the one I told everything and sometimes I miss you. I guess you grow up after father died making sure our family kept above water. You were always there for us, always the head strong, common sense one, that we depend up to get things right and I was the non-sensible, foolishly idealistic one and after father died I just wanted to escape into a dreamy world of fantasy. It was a world of fantasy. It was a world we once shared but then you faced reality and I never could. Oh Laurel, I am sorry for any of my foolishness that I caused you pain, I am sorry I am not more dependable like you, I wish I could be?"

            "Don't be," Emmy looked and saw Laurel looking at her.

            "I am sorry Laurel, I didn't mean to wake you."

            "I am glad you did. Emmy don't be like me I am too structured and everyone thinks I am too unfeeling. I am sure that is what drove Ethan away."

            "What do you mean?"
            "I could not express my feelings to Ethan Foster not to him, not even to my sister or my mother because I am so structured I couldn't let someone know my heart. When I saw you gave your heart so openly to Mr. James I admit I was a little jealous of your spirit and heart."

            "Really?"

            "Yes, while sometimes you don't always think before you talk and you act as if everything was novel, you have such a passionate spirit."

            "Don't wish that, it sometimes causes more regrets than happiness."

            "We just need to figure out how I can be a little bit more like you and for you to be a little bit more like me then we will be the perfect puzzle piece."

            Emmy looked into Laurel's eyes and saw a happy tenderness she had not seen in a long time. The girls curled up next to each other for the night and the morning Laurel was able to come down for breakfast. Aunt Iris was so happy to see some color in her niece's cheeks she made sure to serve them an extra large helping. Though Laurel's color had returned she felt tired after breakfast and went back to bed.

            "Aunt, we have to figure out if what Caleb told me about Mr. Foster being engaged is true or not."

            "How are we going to do that? Spy on him."

            "No, I don't know."

            "Sweet heart I think we should stay out of Mr. Foster and Laurel's business."

            "I wish I could but she is my sister, I cannot risk seeing her potentially having her heart broken."

            "Emmy dear I know you mean well but I hate to admit it but broken hearts are a part of growing up. As much you like to live in a hopeful romantic world sometimes relationships do not work out and Mr. Foster and Laurel might not work out," Aunt Iris saw Emmy's face go sad. "Then again they could live happily ever after and if they are meant to be together they will be without our meddling."

            "All right Aunt Iris."

            "You promise Emmy you will not interfere."

            "Yes aunt I promise," Aunt Iris lifted Emmy's chin to look into her eyes.

           

            "Eyes never lie," was an expression Fiona was always telling Emmy and whenever she wanted to know whether Emmy was lying she looked her square in the eyes.

            Emmy was not lying this time she promised her aunt that she would not meddle and she would not meddle no matter what her romantic heart told her to do. 

            The next day Laurel came down stairs and saw a few of Aunt Iris' friends but in the afternoon she adjourned back to her room and she did not feel well enough to go to Uncle Charles' and Aunt Iris' dinner party. Aunt Iris did not feel comfortable leaving Laurel alone so Emmy was attended to party by Mr. Dumont. Mr. Dumont was not the most sociable person so people were a bit surprised to see him without his wife but accepted him just the same. Emmy apologized to host and hostess for the change of plans. Uncle Charles paid no mind and Aunt Victoria was sorry she didn't know of her niece's sickness, when she said this she almost had a look of remorse so Emmy believed her. The when she was out of the receiving line she looked around and realized besides Mr. Dumont she knew no one in the room. She recognized some of them from the wedding but could not think of the names to go with the faces so she didn't feel comfortable approaching anyone. She saw Caleb standing in the corner talking to another group of men, she caught his glance for a bit and smiled. He smiled back but then coldly returned to his conversation.

            "Miss Emmy," it was Mr. Foster.

            "Mr. Foster, I did not know you would be here."

            "Your aunt was kind enough to invite me. She needed a seat filler," he giggled a bit.

            "Aw for me it was a family obligation."

            "Where is your family?"

            "Mr. Dumont has been pulled in with the other married men. Laurel was not feeling well enough to come and Mrs. Dumont stayed home with her."

            "Miss Cromwell is sick?"

            "A slight fever, the doctor said she would be fine."

            "You called a doctor?"

            "Yes Mr. Foster but like I said, he said she will be fine she just needs rest."

            "Are you sure?"

            "Yes, he is coming back next week to check up on her but Dr. Clark has been Mr. and Mrs. Dumont's physical for years he is completely trustworthy." Emmy saw Ethan's face change to worry over this conversation she lightly touched his arm. "If you want Mr. Foster, I can send word when Dr. Clark comes back."

            "Yes Miss Emmy that will be nice."

            "Now, Laurel told me for me not to be worried about her and told me to have a good time, I suggest you to do the same."

            "Of course, I cannot having you go back to your sister with a bad report and since Mr. Dumont is preoccupied it is up to me show you off. Come on we can be second string invites together." Mr. Foster then stuck out his arm so he could escort her around. 

            "Thank you Mr. Foster," Emmy smiled one of her sweet smiles.

            When they were at Pine Haven she saw Mr. Foster as a quiet and reserved man almost to the point of boredom and could never figure out why Laurel liked him. Though after few minutes with him she saw a soft side of him that was very caring and he made her laugh more than once through the night the night with his little jokes. And he did his job of showing her off to all her the best of society.

            Eventually Aunt Victoria came up them. "My dear Mr. Foster, thank you so kind for entertaining my niece. Now Emmy tell me all about Laurel," she took her arm and started to pull her away.

           

            "Mr. Foster please find me after dinner," Emmy said before she could get away.

            "Yes Miss Emmy."

            When they were out of hearing range Aunt Victoria gave her real reason for pulling Emmy away. "Be careful Emmy dear, people are whispering."

            "Whispering about what?"

            "You and Mr. Foster, what else?"

            "What else indeed, he is a good friend of the family."

            "Yes everyone knows his connection to your family. Sitting with you at church, spending the day at your house and now you guys are joined at the hip."

            "What? You must be joking."

            "We all thought it was your older sister he admired but now you are raising questions and I must say it is quite unbecoming for a young lady especially a young lady being just presented into society. You cannot chance ruining your good reputation before you have one."

            "Aunt Victoria, I think you are worrying too much. I do not have any intentions towards Mr. Foster as far as I am concerned he and Laurel are meant to be together."

            "Then behave better."

            "Yes aunt," Emmy said as the dinner gong rung.

           

            Mr. Dumont was good for being at her side two seconds later to escort her into dinner. He apologized for leaving her alone but Emmy told him it was alright. He either didn't hear the whispers going around or he did not care, both of those reasons made sense for Emmy and she was glad he didn't have any time to ask her follow up questions.

            Though Emmy felt like a second string invite, she got a high seat of honor sitting at the right hand of her aunt. It was only correct that Emmy be giving a high spot of honor, after all she was the niece of the host and hostess but it was nice recognition. She might have had a high seat of honor, her aunt paid little attention to her and Emmy's other dinner partner was Reverend Cole, who was at least a hundred and had no interest in speaking. She looked diagonally across the table and saw Mr. Foster who sat three seats away Mr. Foster who sat three seats away from her on the opposite side allowing no conversation to happen but he smiled at her then rolled his eyes at the conversation his dinner partners were having.  Both girls looked like persnickety girls that cared more about the fashion of the party than having an actual intelligent conversation.

            "Why would he be so sweet to me and be so concerned about Laurel if he was engaged to another girl. No it could not be right Caleb must have been wrong," Emmy thought.

            "Well cousin, you are getting some whispering about, I hope you are proud of yourself," Julia said after dinner when the men and women separated.

            "All the whispering is ridiculous, I have no attentions towards Mr. Foster as I told your mother."

            "I hope not you would not want to crush her sister's heart."

            "I have no attentions."

            "You are such a good, sweet, innocent girl and way too idealistic."

            "Thank you cousin."

            "It will not do at all if you plan to stay in Boston. Everyone know to survive in the real world you must be sweet and innocent on the outside and cunning on the inside."

            "Perhaps then I don't belong in Boston."

            "Perhaps not."

            "But while I am here I will learn from your ways and then all the men will want me."

           

            The words could be sweet but the tone was far from anything sweet. Emmy could not tell you what it was about her cousin that brought out the worst in her. She used to love her cousin but after this summer she saw her cousin as a manipulative person always looking for trouble. Emmy thought her cousin would be great as a Shakespeare villain, much in the vein of Iago from Othello.

            After Emmy and Julia exchanged their pleasantries the men returned to their women. No one could miss what happened next Caleb nodded to Julia when he came in the room and she cut through the party to him. Uncle Charles then clinked his glass calling the attention to him

            "If my wife could join me, we have some pleasant news to announce," Aunt Victoria joined him in no time. "We kept it quiet till our eldest, Nicholas, was married bit now we are pleased to announce our daughter Julia will be marrying Mr. Caleb James."

            The room began spinning for Emmy. All the claps and clinks of glasses blurred together and she felt her knees go weak. Her vision then got hazy and then she was gone. The next thing she knew she woke up in one of aunt's guest room.

She had collapsed, and unlike Laurel who gained consciousness right away Emmy stayed out while Mr. Foster picked her up and at Aunt Victoria's insistence carried her up to a guest room. Then he was ushered out of the room so the maids could take off her dress and loosen her corset. Of course they thought it was her corsets pulled too tight, it was frequent for girls to lose breath with their corsets pulled too tight even with the more natural form styles that were in fashion.

            Little did they know Ethan Foster paced in the hall outside of Miss Emmy's door till he heard that she was alright. Mr. Dumont was there too but he just leaned against the wall not saying much.

            "How is she doing Mrs. Danford?" Ethan asked she came out of the room.

            "She is awake now."

            "Good, then I think should order my motor coach and we can bring her down when it arrives," Mr. Dumont said calmly.

            "I do not think that is a good idea, I would not want to upset her, I think she should spend the night her. We will send word after breakfast if she is up to leaving," Mrs. Danford said.

            Before Ethan could say he agreed Julia was at the top of the stairs.

            "Mother, come quickly the guest are talking about leaving. This is my night and I will not let Emmy is fainting ruin it," Julia had her temper fit tone.

            "Alright, darling, alright I will be right down."

            "No mother, I need you now or else this whole night will be ruined."

            This is left the gentlemen alone.

            "Mr. Foster thank you for being so concerned over Miss Emmy, I am sure my wife will want to express her thanks as well, they meant the world to her. When she is home please come by."

            "Thank you Mr. Dumont. Please send her my regards and give Miss Cromwell all my best wishes for her to feel better soon."

            " I will. I'd better be off, I am sure by now Mrs. Dumont would have received word of Miss Emmy and I will have to calm her down."

            Both Mr. Dumont and Ethan Foster snuck out of the party. Mr. Dumont did it quickly after saying his farewell to Ethan but Ethan stayed a bit, he could not leave the house thinking any second he could be needed to fetch a doctor, or send word to the Dumonts, or really anything. Then Mr. Danford came up stairs a little sloshed from the festivities below. Mr. Danford was usually the first one to turn in, he stat it was because he had business to attend to but in reality he was either too bored or too drunk or both to be in a party mood.

            "Go on son, go on home, we will notify you right away if she gets worse," was all he said when he passed by Ethan Foster in the hall.

            "Yes sir."

            Then Ethan slipped out. It was warm October night which was uncommon for how late in the season it was. The summer air had disappeared but there was still a sense of warmth that lingered. Because of this walk home. The Danfords lived near Berkley on Commonwealth and he lived near Dartmouth on Marlborough, it would not be worth hassle of ordering his automobile for the five blocks. Plus his thoughts were preoccupied and he needed the walk to clear his them out. They should have been on Miss Emmy after all she was the one that fainted, but Laurel was stuck in his brain. He pretended not to hear the whispers at the party as a man it was easier to ignore idle gossip. He had though, everyone snickering at his behavior to Emmy calling them suitors and making other false accusations. How would he ever be able to explain it to Laurel? She had seem so cold the other to him and now this would not help her thoughts of him. He thought he could put it all behind him, he never should have sent her the book, it would just give her hope and he could not lead on like that. The news of his engagement would crush her.  

Brandon's Heart

Kathryn James once her mother was well from her summer flu came back to Boston in a surge to get all the plans for her wedding done. How she wished Nicholas and her could have a quiet ceremony, maybe out in the count but her mother and mother in law would not allow it. "The fine James and Danford family are marrying and it is to an event to make society talk," was how it was explained to Kathryn. Since her return to Boston it felt like from sun up to sun down all she did was think about her wedding. She had so many calls to do, dinners to attend, and many teas to sit at she barely saw Nicholas. Though he still walked her home from church every Sunday but it wasn't the same. Charles Danford insisted that Nicholas be more active in the business that he could no longer flit around on the outskirts of it. Kathryn did encourage Nicholas in that way nevertheless she could not wait till they would have their evenings together. The Danfords had bought them a nice little home on Marlborough street for them to live once they came back from their honeymoon till Nicholas took over the Danford name. When Kathryn was not planning their wedding she was working with designers to get the house all read for them. So usually by the time Sunday came around they were both too tied to express more than a few words to each other.

            When she received Emmy's note of her coming to Boston, she cherished the thought, she had such a lovely time in Pine Haven away from all the hustle and bustle that Boston had and she could feel that she and Emmy may perhaps be true friends.  She knew Emmy would bring Pine Haven back to her even if she could not go back to Pine Haven herself. She was also glad she would finally meet Mrs. Dumont. Mrs. Dumont sat on the top ring of Boston Society, and Kathryn had heard wonderful stories about Mrs. Dumont's society's meeting that she longed to be in there. With marrying a Danford she would have the name to fit into that society but having a personal connection with the Dumont family would qualify her as a belonging. So she made sure to respond quickly to Emmy and to have the best of the best prepared when they came. Kathryn had almost completely forgotten that Brandon was to come over for tea that day as well. She did not fret though as she knew how delighted Brandon would be to see the girl he looked at as a new sister. So she kept their meeting a new surprise.

            "My dear brother, you will not guess who is in town and will be joining is for teas," she said as he walked into the room.

            "The Queen of England?" Brandon smiled.

            "No."

            "Then who?"

            "Miss Emmy Cromwell."

            "What?" he said rather stunned.

            "Are you not happy to see your new sister?"

            "I am thrilled," he said trying to hide his real thoughts.

            "I knew you would be."

            "What brings her to Boston?"

            "She and her sister are visiting their mother's dearest friend who they call Aunt Iris but it is really Mrs. Dumont."

            "Dumont, how in the world do they know them."

            "I do not know, but we shall ask over tea. That is not the point, Mrs. Dumont is as the top of Boston's society and meeting her and if she likes me that will get me into their little club. Wouldn't that be wonderful. I will prove that I am worthy to all of Boston that this little Connecticut girl is worthy of the Danford name, whatever they might think."

            "So you are just using Miss Emmy," Brandon sounded very protective.

            "Of course not, I love Miss Emmy, she was such delight in Pine Haven, but I must use a connection."

            "My sweet Kathryn, only you would have a heart of gold and still use it to move up in the this world," he smiled his big brother smile her.

           

            Then they heard a knock at the door and before the butler announced their presence Kathryn said "Now be nice Brandon, none of your little side comments." He nodded to his command.

            "Mrs. Dumont and Miss Emmy," the Butler announced them into the room.

            "Thank you Mr. Larsen can you let my mother know our guest are here."

            "Yes Miss James."

            At first they were formal as Emmy introduced Aunt Iris to Kathryn and Brandon. She was pleasantly surprised and all too happy to see Brandon there. He asked after her health and how everyone at home was doing, she reported everyone was fine. Then Kathryn asked about Laurel's where about and hoped to see her soon. Once all the polite formalities were exchanged the formalities were dropped and the girls talked as if they had never been a part and how glad they were to see each other. Mrs. Dumont chimed in about how all Emmy talked about was "Miss James this and Miss James that." Emmy blushed a bit at the way Aunt Iris talked about her.

            Before they could get too far along in conversation Mrs. James entered and they were back in their formal habits while Kathryn introduced her mother to Mrs. Dumont and Miss Emmy. They stayed in their formality longer with Mrs. James the room. She had an old century style about her with hair pulled tightly into a twist, her dress had a high collar and her dress had a high collar and her skirt was a little wider than the new fashion. Though she was wearing slightly older fashion she was highly eloquent and the formality of the conversation seemed to fit her better.

            "Well Miss Emmy you are just as charming as my daughter said you weren't."

            Emmy blushed again no one ever described her as charming "Thank you Mrs. James. My sister Laurel is the charming one in our family, I owe most of my looks to your daughter she gave me a fine make over when she was in Pine Haven."

            "My daughter might be a good artist but I must say she was already working with a fine canvas." Mrs. James noticed the way Brandon was looking at Miss Emmy. "Wouldn't you agree Brandon?"

            "I have always thought Miss Emmy ever so humble in her appearance. Though I am glad your color has come back, you were rather pale when I left."

            "Pale, why were you sick?" Mrs. James asked.

           

            Emmy did not know how to answer and her eyes showed it.

            "Not sick," Brandon spoke up before Emmy stumbled over her answer "I was say maybe just a little tired from all the adventures of the summer."

            "Yes just tired."

            Emmy gave Brandon one of her sweet smiles that told him she was thankful for the save.

            "Well, then I do hope Boston does not wear you out," Mrs. James said.

            "I will make sure to keep her well rested. I would not wish her to look ill on Miss James' big day," Aunt Iris stepped in "Miss Emmy, is still new in society, you know how tiresome your coming out season can be. It is hard not to be caught up in all the excitement."

            "Oh yes I think I attended twenty balls the year I was presented."

            "You must have been quite the debutant," Mrs. Dumont said.

            "I had my fair share of society," Mrs. James smiled.

            The women did enjoy most of the conversation going over the details Miss James' wedding and the new home. She promised Emmy a tour if she would be here still after the wedding. Emmy hoped that they would be in town but could not promise.

            "Oh I am sorry the way we carry on, you must be bored."

            "Not at all Mrs. Dumont."

            "I will try to even out the party next time brother so you will not be alone," Kathryn said.

            "It is all right Kathryn, I am pleased you did not keep Miss Emmy all to yourself."

            "I will be lucky once society is introduced to her that she will have any time for me at all."

            Emmy blushed again at the thought of society wanting her.

            "Mrs. Dumont does have me on a busy schedule to get me to meet more people but I fear I am not as I am not graceful in new crowds."

            Mrs. Dumont and Mrs. James were busily talking and did not hear this conversation.

            "I seem to recall your first ball Miss Emmy you had all the confidence in the world, you flattered everyone in the room even that Mrs. Taylor," Brandon said quietly enough so really only Emmy could hear him.

            "That was Pine Haven Mr. James nothing like Boston. I don't know how I shall get along."

            "Any time you need refuge Miss Emmy you must come here," Kathryn said.

            "Are you sure it seems you have so much on your hands now I would not want to distract you."

            "No come, I will be happy for the distraction how I wish Nicholas and I were getting married tomorrow and not next month so we could put all this craziness behind me."

            "Yes Miss Emmy come here if my sister is too busy I shall entertain you."

            "You are much too kind."

            Brandon looked at his pocket watch "I fear I must get going though, the ambassador is meeting with the governor the evening and I must attend."

            Aunt Iris looked at the clock "Oh my it is much later than I thought, oh how time has flown by Emmy, Mr. Dumont will be home for dinner and we must be home. I am sure Laurel will be worried about us."

            "If you are going uphill let me escort you home."

            "Thank you Mr. James that will be so kind," Mrs. Dumont applied.

            After the party broke up, Kathryn turned to her mother and said "Isn't Miss Emmy perfect for Caleb."

            "Yes she is a delight."

            "And with the Dumonts having no heir I am sure they will be generous with the Cromwell girls after all Emmy told me they call her Aunt Iris."

            "I am sure they will be, however I don't think we should push her on Caleb as I feel your other brother may want her hand."

            "Who?"

            "You only have two brothers dear Kathryn, who do you think?"

            "Brandon? Oh no you must be teasing, he looks at Emmy as if she were his own sister."

            "I have seen the way Brandon adores you, your whole life and it looks nothing like the way he looks at Miss Emmy. She almost looks like that Martha girl," but then she quieted herself when she realized what she was saying."

            "Who?"

            "Nothing important."

            "It is absolutely madness to think of Brandon falling for Miss Emmy she is far too young."

            "Men have fallen young women throughout time. Look at your father and I, we had about the same age gap as Brandon and Miss Emmy and we had a very fine marriage."

            "If he does love Emmy as you say he does. I feel very sorry for him as her heart is set on Caleb, and has been since the day he arrived, the day he saved her in the rain."

            "You never know a girl could change her mind, she looked charmed with Brandon."

            "Oh mother do not go foolish with ideas. Miss Emmy wants love and passion, Brandon is too reserved to show that side."

            "People do silly things when they are in love, you never know Brandon could surprise us all."

            "I still think you are being ridiculous."

            Fortunately for Brandon no one else suspected him of being anymore affectionate than an older brother would be. He was also fortunate to have a late evening meeting so he was able to escort Emmy and Mrs. Dumont home. Mrs. Dumont found Brandon to be thoughtful and very intelligent and knew Mr. Dumont would find him good company as well he was current outnumbered in the house and invited him to dinner whenever he was available. He had some plans over the next couple nights but would be free on Wednesday of the next week. They all took delight in the arrangement and Emmy seemed particularly pleased what they seemed to have it all settled. Brandon would never hope that Emmy could care for him the same way her cared for her. He was nevertheless happy to see she had looked more like the way she had when they met.    

Welcome to Boston

Twenty-nine Chestnut Street by its address alone told the world of the old wealth the Dumont family possessed.  A block or two from Louisburg Square where the height of society and wealth lived. It was not a grand home, like the ones new money were building in the Back Bay, it was a quiet and pleasant and no one would really think twice about it except it had a few window panes that were purple. It had been a drastic mistake in the glass factory when they added too much magnesium, at first the purple was hated but then it became a sign of privilege. The house would also be noted for having a side entrance with a little garden before the door when the house was built, the style was more common but new land was scarce and only a few home had gardens of their own. It was a fine home and the Dumonts had kept in their family it in their family for generations.

            As soon as Emmy was inside she was handed a note from the footman.

            "Kathryn writes Laurel, she is excited to us again and invites us to tea when we are settled, should we call her tomorrow."

            "You go, I am sure she is much more wanting to see you besides I had plans to call on my friend Amelia she is still in town in visiting her cousins and buying her wedding clothes, I would like to see her and let her know of my arrival."

            "Oh all right, Aunt Iris she is looking forward to meeting you as well, shall you come?"

            "Of course I would be honored to meet this Miss James."

            "Wonderful, may I send out word immediately," Emmy asked.

            "Any words you have you have you can give it to William, he will see it well," Aunt Iris said.

            "I suppose we should write Aunt Victoria and Julia to let them know we are in town, it seems only right," Emmy said.

            "You write, I think a bit of fresh air will do me good," Laurel said picking up her hat and walking coat

            "Do you know where you are going?" Aunt Iris asked.

            "Just around the Public Garden I will be back shortly, I need to stretch my legs. Do not worry I remember the streets like of the hand."

            "Do come back quickly, I would hate to tell your mother I lost you in one day."

            "Yes I promised."

            Laurel was in and out of the house in ten minutes, much to the surprise of her companions. She usually was so thorough with details, she would have insisted they wrote mother to let her know of their safe arrival and she would have written Aunt Victoria, even though she had no desire to see them she knew it was right and that’s all that mattered in Laurel world. After the post had been sent she would then insist helping with unloading the trunks and making sure the dresses were hung properly. However no she seemed to care for these details.

            She walked down tiny street one of the few that connected Beacon Hill to the outside world and stood at the edge of the common. It was hard to believe that the Boston common was once a grazing area for small farm area such as sheep or a cow because now it was such a lovely park. Laurel pulled out the envelope that came with Ethan's book it was addressed from 126 Marlborough Street. She didn't know if it was the book store in which he found the book, his place of business or his home but she was adamant  to find out. She feared running into him if it was his place of business or his home but she felt worse over excitement she got over the possibility of seeing him. Laurel wouldn't know what to say or feel when he did. She crossed through the commons till she got to the garden, if she had a longer block of time she would have enjoyed the gardens more, but she promised Aunt Iris she would be back quickly. It was so impulsive for to take off like that. She wasn't planning on either but nervous knots had been growing in her stomach the closer and the closer she they got to Boston. In the motor coach she had made up her mind that she would at least walk to the address and whatever happened after that it was in God's hand. She walked quickly then caught herself and slowed her pace down. She did not realize everyone in Boston walked quickly so quickly so walking quickly did not draw attention to herself. In Pine Haven if one walked quickly people would surely pay attention to her and worry a bit. Everyone knew everyone in Pine Haven so people would surely talk, and while both the Danford and Cromwell families were known in Boston no one knew her. She did try to walk at a sociable pace so her cheeks would not be flushed. She would hate to run into him with her face all red.

            After the gardens, the streets in the Back Bay were alphabetical, Arlington, Berkley, and Clarendon, judging based on the address it should be in the next block. Laurel remember this from when she was a girl she thought it was most off how it was alphabetical all the way from A to H but then the next street was Massachusetts Avenue, and after that the streets made no sense. Mother once told her the Back Bay was formally planned but it still never made sense why they would not carry on in alphabetical order, it was much more efficient. Laurel could quickly tell that most of the Back Bay was residential so it lead her to the conclusion that 126 Marlborough Street was his home and what a fine home it was.

            Laurel replayed the conversations she had with Ethan in her head, she knew his mother still loved in Sussex, England where he was born and while he had an aunt in Connecticut she did not remember him ever mentioning her living part of her time in Boston. Without his mother or aunt and no other family here in Boston it made no sense to have a house so big. It wasn't an striking home like the other she had seen in the Back Bay but it was a fine home with three levels of windows and a little bay window on the second level. The house all looked rather pleasant.

           

            Society would never allow a single girl of any sort to call on a single man when she did not know of any woman in the house. If he had a sister or mother, or an aunt she could call on then even if all she wanted was to see him but a single woman calling on a single man was absolutely forbidden. So she wondered how long she stand across the street from his house without drawing attention. She feared and anticipated the longer she stood the more likely she was to run into him.

            Laurel thought she was standing there almost an hour but it really five minutes, when she saw them, she recognized him immediately but she had no idea who the woman would be. There was only two women that were ever talked about his mother and his aunt. The woman with him was too young to play either of these roles. They laughed a bit, she saw and as soon as she realized he had looked across the street she turned across the street she turned her face and walked steadily back to Aunt Iris'. For the first block she did not care about her pace as she just wanted to get away from it all. By the time she got back to the garden she found the tears too hard to hold back.

            "Stupid Laurel," she thought to herself. "I should not gone there, I should not have tempted seeing him. Of course he should move on, of course he should find a girl of good wealth and make a life with her. Oh Laurel how could you be so stupid, never again," she bucked herself up.

            "How was your outing my dear," Aunt Iris asked when Laurel came through the door.

            "I do not wish to speak of it," Laurel said in a way that mixed both sadness and frustration together.

            Aunt Iris turned to Emmy who was sitting on the couch next to her "I wonder what could have happened."

            "I do not know, she seemed so chipper on her way out. I believe that she received word from Mr. Foster and she was making up an excuse to go see him. But she wouldn't be so annoyed in her tone if that were the case."

            "Indeed perhaps she will tell us more at dinner after she has calmed herself."

           

            But Laurel didn't say anything at dinner, she could not even thing of Ethan walking and laughing with another woman. She sat there quietly answering Mr. Dumont's question in a polite way. Laurel was glad of Mr. Dumont's company at least he spoke of intelligent things if she had been trapped in conversation with Aunt Iris and Emmy it would all be impractical things about new dresses, or people they should call on, or parties Aunt Iris would take them to. It seemed much the same as the conversation that buzzed around Pine Haven. "Surely in a more educated city, people would have better things to discuss  than dresses, and parties," Laurel thought. At least Mr. Dumont as dry as he was talked about politics, the world at large, and some books he thought Laurel should read.

           

            He too must have over heard his wife and Emmy's conversation because he patted Laurel's hand and said "I am glad you have not lost your wits, I do not know how I could have borne it with three girls all talking of idle things."

            Laurel gave him a little smile.

            Laurel was always fond of Mr. Dumont, he was practical and full of sense. He knew what to say and when to say it. But though few people saw it he did have a soft spot. Laurel remembered the days the Cromwell girls lived in the Dumont house hold, he was mostly in his study working on his business or reading a book but he kept to himself with four women running around his house. It was a day mother was too sick to come out of her room; it was raining so they could not go out on their usual walks. Aunt Iris had Emmy and Gloria playing upstairs but Laurel had no interest in their games. She quietly snuck out of the nursery, crept down stairs to the front room which house a little box piano and started tapping away at the keys. Mr. Dumont from his study must have heard her because he came up to see her.

            "I am sorry sir, I did not wish to disturb you."

            "You did not disturb me," Mr. Dumont said "That was pretty, what was that?"

            "Do you want some music to play?"

            "Yes sir but I do not know how to read music."

            "I can teach you."

            "Thank you sir."

            "You do not have to call me sir. You call my wife Aunt Iris why don't you call me Uncle Dumont."

            Laurel never called him Uncle Dumont it never seemed to fit right but from that day on Laurel and Mr. Dumont had a special bond. Now as they sat and listened to Aunt Iris and Emmy talked as if dresses were the most import things in the world they cherished that bond they had. Mr. Dumont thought "if only I had had a son I would insist upon him marrying Laurel, they would be a fine match to carry on the Dumont good name and nature." Laurel didn't say much after dinner but on the insistence of Mr. Dumont she did play quietly at the piano while he watched as an adoring father.

            "Laurel," Emmy snuck into her room after the house had gone to bed "What did happen on your walk you were so agitated when you came back."

            "Nothing to concern you."

            "But it does, I so wish you to be happy."

            "Happiness is not everything little Emmy," it drove Emmy crazy when Laurel insisted on talking to her as if she were twelve nevertheless she had to push through it.

            "But it is nice to have. Did you see Mr. Foster?"

            "What?" How could have Emmy guessed that.

            "I believed until you got back from your walk that you had made up the excuse of a walk to see Ethan Foster. But of course once you got back from your walk you were so annoyed I figured that must not be the case, if you had seen him you would be ever so happy. You were so happy at home when he was there."

            "My little Emmy how you like to make up stories."

            "I am not making it up," her anger slightly arose.  "I saw you together, you looked at him as if you were looking at heaven. When he left, you did not look the same."

            "How would you know how I looked when Mr. Foster left, you were too wrapped up in Mr. James."

           

            Emmy felt the harshness in her sister's words and knew they were true.

            "I have not been a good sister to you Laurel, I am sorry, I do so wish we were more alike so we could talk about things But I talk too much and you conceal so much, I do not know what to say."

            "You said enough for tonight."

            With that Emmy scooted off Laurel's bed. Laurel did not wait till Emmy was out of the room before she turned off the last light in it. Emmy took this as a sign of Laurel's frustration. The next morning Laurel was gone to her friend Amelia's house before Emmy had a chance to apologize.

           

            Aunt Iris had some callers in the morning, most of them dealt with the charity ball her society club was throwing at the end of the month and details must be organized. While Emmy found talk of the ball interesting she could not wait till the afternoon when she would see Kathryn James again. 

A new start, a new hope

At dinner Gloria mad most of the conversation begging to hear stories of Boston and Aunt Iris was more than happy to oblige her sweet niece. If you had never been to the house you would think Gloria was one who always sought off to her own adventure.

            Finally Fiona said "Gloria, let Iris eat you have hardly allowed her to get two bites into her meal."

            "No Fiona I don't mind."

            "See she likes talking no one else here does. We used to talk about everything under the sun. Now no one says a word not even to a little argument over Emmy's improprieties. And I hate it!"

            "Gloria," Fiona snapped at her but in her tone she was mostly surprised by Gloria's outburst.

            They sat silently for a moment then Emmy began to giggle, at first softly so no one heard but then it grew. No one in the house had heard Emmy laugh for about a moth so at first the shock moved from Gloria's attention to Emmy. Then Iris cracked and started giggling, followed closely by Gloria and Fiona. No one knew what was so funny but they could not help but laugh. Then Emmy cracked and her laughter turned to tears as Fiona was about to reach over to her daughter but Emmy jumped out of her chair so fast it knocked over and she ran out of the room. Fiona almost got up when Iris told her she would go after Emmy. But once Iris left the room she stopped to give Emmy a few minutes to calm herself.

            It did not take long for Iris to find Emmy, she remembered that when Emmy was a child she would always run into the library and pull herself into a corner and hide a way only to come out when she thought no one was looking for her. That is where Iris found Emmy tucked away in the space between the shelves and space between the shelves and the wall. Only now she was bigger and her dresses were bigger too. Iris heard her little whimper when she came into the library and started the game she always played with Emmy when she was younger.

            "I don't see Miss Emmy, she must not be here. Oh wait what was that a bird chirping or a little girl crying."

            "You know I am in here Aunt Iris, I am not a child any more those games won't work on me."

            "I know you are not a child anymore, I just cannot see you going through so much pain I thought I would one of our old games would cheer you up."

            "Cheer me up from forgetting the one man I loved has left me."

            "No, of course not. I have only loved one man, so I can't understand what you are going through but from what I understand about love if it is true it won't ever go away."

            At that Emmy threw herself on Aunt Iris. Iris caught her in a hug and was able to guide her over to the sofa where she could have Emmy's head resting on her lap. Iris did not try to hush her but let her cry until she was all out of tears all the while going back and forth between stroking her hair and patting her back. When Emmy had stopped crying Iris spoke very softly to her.

            "There, there my little Emmy. No matter what happened I am her for you. I have loved you all your life and I will never leave you. I think you and Laurel should come to Boston, it may not cheer you up however it will get you out of this house where everything reminds you of him. Plus with your cousin, Nicholas, marrying Caleb's sister I am sure he will be at the wedding and you two can be reunited. Whatever silliness came over him, I am sure your charm you can knock it out."

            "Oh Aunt, do you really think so, Do you really want Laurel and I to come to Boston."

            "I came to Pine Haven with no other desire in mind. My house is so lonely without my Cromwell girls running in and out and now you being out in society I can show you off properly."

            Emmy threw her arms around Aunt Iris' neck and smiled. She whispered a thank you in her ear and they held each other for a few minutes. Then Fiona walked in.

            "Oh good you found her, I was getting rather worried."

           

            Emmy looked at her mother with a smile.

            Fiona had not seen Emmy light up the room in the way she did since Caleb had left. "What happened, Emmy you look glowing."

            "Aunt Iris has just invited Laurel and I to Boston for the Fall. Oh mother can we go."

            "With a smile like that how can I refuse."

            "Oh thank you mother," Emmy get up and practically skipped over to her. "I will be extra good in Boston, I will be so happy to see it again for I hardly remember any of it since I was there as a girl."

            "I must say you and your sister's beauty will be the talk of the town."

            "Oh how will we convince Laurel she was so set against it when Kathryn invited us."

            "Do not worry," Iris spoke up. "I am sure there is a young man in town that could peek her interest."

           

            The three of them giggled.

            "Mother, what has happened to you all?" Gloria poked her head in.

            "Oh my little Gloria," Emmy cheerfully embraced her.

            "Is everything all right?"

            "Oh yes, my sweet Gloria and I am so sorry for how I have been acting."

            "What has changed so sudden."

            "Aunt Iris is taking Laurel and I to Boston."

            "Can I go?"

            "Of course not, you are far too young," Fiona said.

            "Oh please I will be twelve soon."

            "Absolutely not, you and I must stay behind to care for Grandma Danford plus you have a school starting soon, and I will not have you missing school."

           

            Gloria whined a bit but Emmy hardly noticed.

            "Oh Aunt Iris, this is the most pleasant news ever. I am so excited I do not know how I will sleep."

            "Well you must, you must look your best when we go to Boston. That means resting properly, eating all your meals and no more sulking around."

            "Oh yes Aunt Iris I will behave."

            "Good, then I will show you off to all of Boston."

            "Thank you Aunt Iris," Emmy threw her arms around Aunt Iris again, then hugged her mother "and thank you mother for letting me go."

            "Of course, it will be good for you."

            Though Emmy slowly came back to them over the coming weeks as she prepared for their journey. Laurel did not seem so positive about the trip. She agreed to go to Boston, and she kept her world but she still seemed hesitant.

            No one knew of the book from Ethan, Laurel kept it private hiding under her pillow only to bring it out at night when she was alone. Before the book she could tell herself that she had made it up, and that he did not care for her like she thought. But now she could not tell what he was feeling. He called himself her true friend but something in the wording gave more passion then what was really written. He had said it to her once before, they were walking in the garden, her shawl had dropped and he had picked it up. When she thanked him he said any true friend would do the same. They were standing close to each other than she had ever stood with a man and she could feel her heart racing more violently than it had ever done as her looked at her, a look that was kind but also a look that seemed to stare deep into her. Then he was gone and she could dismiss it all to her own foolish behavior. Now if she was able to go to Boston and see him once again she would not know how to act or feel and that scared her more than anything.

            "What happened?" Aunt Iris asked Emmy one night as they were preparing her trunks. "Between Laurel and this Mr. Foster."

            "I don't know. They seemed really happy together we all thought they were going to get engaged but then he got a letter and took off and we have not heard from him since."

            "Are you sure he has not contact her?"

           

            "If he has why would she keep it a secret. Wait a minute when Caleb was here he told me he thought Ethan Foster was engaged to a Sally Lawrence. I told him it couldn't possibly be the same Ethan Foster there must be a thousand Ethan Fosters on the east coast. But her seemed  pretty adamant that it was one in the same. Though Laurel has never told me, perhaps Mr. Foster told her of his engagement and that is why she does not want to go. Oh poor Laurel, no wonder, she is dreading this trip. If she goes she will have to see him Nicholas' and Kathryn's wedding, after all they are very close friends and Mr. Foster is sure to come."

           

            "Perhaps then it would be best for us to make our arrangements nor to be in town for the wedding, we can avoid his society till then."

            "But I promised Kathryn I would go, she has been such a dear friend and I would hate to disappoint her."

            "Then I suggest you and I go to the wedding, so you a proper escort, though we cannot drag Laurel to it, we do not want to break her poor heart any more than it is."

            "That is perfect Aunt Iris. You are so kind to look out for both Laurel and I."

            "But I do think while we are in Boston we should investigate this supposed engagement. I cannot imagine that Laurel would fall for a man with questionable principles and only a man with questionable principles would be engaged to one lady and allow another to attach herself to him."

            "Beyond brilliant Aunt Iris. I always know Caleb could not be right in thinking Laurel's Ethan Foster would be engaged to another girl. Oh Aunt Iris if you had only seen time I ever saw Laurel completely happy since father passed away. We shall find out that Mr. Foster is not engaged and we should reunite them at the wedding, won't that be wonderful."

            "Yes my dear Emmy."

           

            After that all the arrangements were settle and complete. Aunt Iris' housekeeper knew of the extra guest and was preparing the home and her cook was arranging the menus with the girls favorite meals. Emmy sent a short note to Kathryn announcing her soon arrival and how she could not wait to see her again. She told Kathryn by the time her note would get to her she suspected they would already be in Boston so she gave Aunt Iris' address for any return correspondence.

            Every thing felt wonderfully different to Emmy, she saw this trip to Boston, not just as a trip but a journey and a new start.  

A lonely, empty house

This is a rewrite of They all clear out... I hope you enjoy. 

After another week Kathryn announced that Mrs. James had written, she had come down with a summer flu and requested Kathryn come and care for her. Kathryn knew immediately that she and Brandon must go to Connecticut to care for her ailing mother. Brandon eventually agreed to attend with her but initially he wanted to stay to see if he could be of help to Emmy but as time went on he realized Emmy hardly recognize any one being in the room. He could see that even if he stayed he would be of no use, so he promised to escort Kathryn to her mother's home but he said he could not stay there too long as he had to return to Boston. Kathryn was sweet and understood that he wanted to get right to work. Nicholas however was willing to attend Kathryn Connecticut and to stay with her till Mrs. James was well and Kathryn could return to Boston.

            "Why do they get to leave and I am stuck here?" Julia moaned to Victoria.

            " Kathryn and Nicholas are leaving to care for Mrs. James."

            "Mother, besides Mrs. Taylor's ball and the Melbourne picnic I have attended nothing. At Mrs. Taylor's ball everyone paid attention to Emmy and at Mrs. Melbourne's picnic the only reason I got attention was because Emmy looked two days away from death. And we must admit mother no one here would make a very good match for me. Please mother do not let me miss Mrs. Crane's ball in New Port, it is the best ball of the season and all of society is there, it is a disgrace not to show."

            "All right."

            "Really?" Julia squealed.

            "Yes, I thought this summer away from society would make you enjoy other things besides following society's ways."

            "Oh mother that is my life, that is how you raised me and the Crane's are not just society they are the best of the best and being invited to their ball is the crème de la crème."

            "Yes I know, it s quite thrilling you got an invite."

            "Well I didn't but you know Howard Stuart did and he asked me to attend with him."

            "He wrote you?"

            "Yes. He has been writing me all summer. I guess a summer has made him miss me."

            "Has he made any attentions towards you?"

            "Not yet but I am sure he will once he see me."

            "Is that what you want to do, marry Howard Stuart?"

            "Maybe, I am only eighteen, I haven't decided."

           

            That wasn't true he wanted to Caleb James but since he seemed to care little for her, she the best line of action was to move on.  She knew the Stuart family was from good breeding and they were wealthy enough to be of good standing.

            "All right, I will write to Branson and tell him to get our home down there ready. I doubt father will be able to come so we won't be able to host anything but compared the Crane's home to our home will be no place to host."

            "Thank you mother," Julia gave her a kiss on the cheek.

            "But be careful Julia things you do today, you could regret them tomorrow."

            Julia barely heard her mother, she was too happy to accept an invitation to an Crane ball and happy to finally be leaving Pine Haven. She had not been able to stand watching Emmy and Caleb becoming close but watching Emmy morn him was mind dulling. Emmy should have known Caleb could not have loved her, so why did she attach herself so strongly to him. Julia thought this was a sign of Emmy's complete disadvantage in society at large.

            With in a week the house was cleared out of all its guest. No one was overly sad to leave, or gushed over the parting. They didn't praise their hostess with thanks for a wonderful or unforgettable summer, in fact most of the group wish to put the whole season behind them. So they said their goodbyes in a very orderly fashion. Julia pretended could not wait to see her cousins again and she pretended to wish them well but it was all a façade. Her heart was over joyed to leave and get ready for Mrs. Crane's ball and thought of the gown she have to order when they arrived back home. Victoria kissed her nieces goodbye and gave a tight hug to Emmy telling her everything would be alright but she didn't gush or show any deep emotion. Emmy really didn't really care to show any emotion. Emmy really didn't care to show any emotion. She had hated that the society's standards required her to stand out there and see her visitors off, she would rather be by her creek. Laurel felt much the same as Emmy and was relieved when their guest were in the motor coach and out of their lives. The girls did not even wait for the coach to be through the gate.

            Fiona took a deep breath once the coach was out of sight. She turned back and looked at her house. Without the guest she could focus on her family again. A task that seemed too big for her to handle on her own. Her mother's health was decreasing by the day, she was now being confined to her room and if she could make her room and if she could make an appearance it was only to the upstairs parlor and only for a few minutes. Laurel served her grandmother diligently but had hardly spoken two words together to any one since the night that she revealed her heartache. Those word's she  said that night rang through Fiona's head over and over again. Emmy had hardly done anything since Caleb left except for become a shell of her former self. Emmy would go to the creek, a place that used to be a source of delight was now the place she mourned. She would spend most of the day but the creek come back with red swollen eyes sit at the dinner table saying nothing and she barely touch her food. Miss Pembers the loyal house keeper, asked that they only serve Miss Emmy's favorites in order to entice her to eat but nothing worked. Fiona could tell that Emmy was not getting over Caleb and it was only growing worse Fiona wished she knew what to say of what to do to comfort her daughter but nothing came to mind. She only knew she could not carry this burden alone. Whenever she had a burden she turned to her dear friend Iris.

            Iris Dumont and her had been friends since their school days and she always had a way of making things better than they appeared. Her father owned a nice shop that provided enough of a fortune to put Iris in the best schools, and gave some money to her name. Iris had met Alfred Dumont, the man Mrs. Cromwell had hoped would marry Fiona, at Fiona's debutant ball and was he was delighted in her delicate soft look and meek manners. After Fiona and Jefferson were firmly settled Alfred called upon Iris frequently enough that talk spread all over Boston and within six months they were engaged and another six month passed before they were married. Iris had gone from a shop girl to a woman of society. Through all this Fiona and Iris stayed very close friends after Jefferson passed away Iris took in the Cromwell girls. There would be days that Fiona could not get out of bed and Iris was there to care for them as if she was their own mother. Everyone thought it was sad that Iris had such a maternal instinct but could have no children of her own so she made the Cromwell girls her own. And to Iris there was no more important people than the Cromwell girls. When she read Fiona's letter of Laurel and Emmy's heart ache her heart pounded in pain. She wrote quickly to Fiona saying that she would be there with in a fortnight.

            Fiona sighed in relief when she read Iris' letter and earnestly awaited her friend's arrival. The day could not arrive soon enough and when Fiona saw Iris' motor coach coming down the drive she excitedly ran down to greet her. She didn't prim and properly sit and wait for Thomas to announce her but instead greeted Iris with a large hug.

            "Oh my dear Iris, how treasured is your visit to meet. I shouldn't know what to do with myself without you."

            "Oh my sweet Fiona, you must lay everything out moment by moment do not leave any detail out. We shall lock ourselves in that upstairs parlor with hot tea and some biscuits and we will not leave till I know all that is troubling you."

            Fiona hugged her again. Iris in her sweet way took over the situation "Thomas can you make sure Miss Pembers knows we will be upstairs and we will probably be the there the rest of the day. Also request tea and sweet biscuits." He nodded."If it is all right with you can you have a valet take up my bags to my usual room."

            The friends wrapped their arms around each other and headed through the house to the upstairs parlor that was fortunately abandoned. Usually Iris would insist on see the girls first or would politely take with tea with Mrs. Danford if she was up to it , but Iris knew her friend needed her and that was most important.

            "Now what is going on? You look so pale and almost sickly." Iris said after a maid had brought in the tea and biscuits."

            "I feel like this house has fallen apart the only person who speaks more than three words to me is Gloria. Laurel has pushed me out of her life and Emmy is so heartbroken she can barely speak without breaking down."     

            "What in heaven's happened ?"

            "Love."

            "What?"

            "Both Laurel  and Emmy have fallen in love and now their hearts our broken."

            "But they are both little girls."

            "They are not so little any more, as much as I wish they were. It all started when my brother and family came to visit and they brought a friend of the family, Ethan Foster…" from there Fiona laid out all the details she knew.

            When she was done Iris sat back and sighed as if out of breath. And for a few minutes the friends sat in silence both not knowing what to say.

            "I think you are right dear friend the girls should come to Boston. Exposure to a world outside of Pine Haven could do them some good. Like you said they are not little girls anymore and they are going to need some culture. Pine Haven I admit is a sweet little town but not one to keep the blooming flowers like we have in. They need some distraction."

            "I know and while Laurel agreed at one point, I don't want her to think I am pushing her away to send her to Boston for a few months."

           

            "No, no. I will tell them as if I invited them, as if we had never talked about it. Surely she would want to go to Boston if she knew Mr. Foster is there. I have heard of this Ethan Foster, from my insights he seems like a fine ma, and seems to do a respectable job working for your brother."

            "He is fine, quite genteel to be sure, and polite in all area expect for sure when silenced mother on his driving behavior."

            "He would have to be a strong man to silence Mrs. Danford."

            "A quiet strength I would say."

            "And what of this Mr. James. I know little of the James family. They are respectable enough I hear good news about Mr. Brandon James, the eldest, and Miss James has made a smash in society. Some people talk about her the way they talked about you when you came out. The same ready to take over the world spirit, but also very humble, and a great beauty. However I don't know this Caleb James at all, we shall see about him."

            "Oh Iris don't talk as if he were a con-artist. He too was very sweet, quite the charmer, even got mother to like him. But for both of these men something changed and they left. It has been silent in this household ever since. What am I to do if I cannot talk to my own girls?" With that Fiona laid her head on Iris' lap and cried while Iris stroked her hair.

           

            "Mother," Gloria poked her head in. "The dinner bell has rung and no one is at the dinner table."

            "Gloria come in, come in," Iris said walking to the door as Fiona turned away and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Let me look at you, you have become quite the young lady."

            "I will be twelve soon Aunt Iris."

            "Yes I know, I remember when you were in Boston all chubby with lots of golden hair. Now look at you, you will break many hearts come time."

           

            Gloria smiled, no one ever noticed her compared to Laurel's beauty and she delighted in a great compliment.

            "Thank you Aunt Iris," she respected ever so humbly. "After dinner I can play you some of the new music I have learned. With you here I am sure this house will liven up, it has been so dull here since Uncle Charles and Aunt Victoria left. Emmy never speaks and Laurel has not been herself as well. But you Aunt Iris is always bring such a joy."

            "Thank you Gloria."

            "But mother what about dinner. Emmy and Laurel aren't to be found though I bet Emmy is off in her woods again but Laurel is usually dressed and examining me by now."

            "Have you looked in the library, or the green room, she has found solitude in these places."

            "Of course I have."

            "Well then why do we not check the gardens, she has spent some time walking around there.

           

            That is exactly where Laurel was. Earlier that afternoon before Iris had come Laurel had received a small parcel. She didn't want anyone to fuss over it so she took it out to the gardens before anyone noticed. She could tell instantly it was from Ethan Foster, the hand writing matched a little not he had written her before he left. Inside the parcel was a little note that stated "Miss Cromwell, I saw this in a shop the other day and thought you would enjoy." It was a little pocket book of wild flower drawings but on the front cover was the inscription "your true friend, may you never forget. -E. Foster." She read it and pressed it against her heart. Until Aunt Iris found her out in the garden she was looking through all the pages going through all the pages going back to look the inscription then would hold it to her heart again.

            "There you are," Aunt Iris interrupted Laurel's train of thought.

            "Aunt Iris, I had not realized you had arrived yet. I would have been there to greet you."

            "Your mother and I had some things to discuss."

            "You are taking Emmy and I to Boston."

            "I am not taking you, I am inviting you to Boston. You are both growing up young ladies in need of seeing beyond the world of Pine Haven. You both should have a little diversion, a little culture and some new people to charm."

            "How civilized you make it all sound."

            "It is civilized, Boston is a splendid city with lots to do and see and some of the finest society on the east coast."

            "I know what mother intends."

            "She only wants your best. She is heartbroken over what has happened here this summer with you and Emmy. She thinks Boston will be good for you and I agree. But you think it over and let me know by the end of my visit."

            "I have already agreed to go."

            "I know, but I want you to come with me, I will not force you. You are graceful and eloquent with a perfect skill in etiquette but do not mask your pain from me. I have known you since you were a little baby, and I know a great deal of the burden you carry but do not forget to listen to your heart Laurel. Dinner is ready, come in when you want, we are going rather casual having dinner in the upstairs parlor, your mother did not want to make a big fuss."

            Though Aunt Iris told her to come in when she was ready she knew the tone meant come in now. It was the same tone that Fiona used when she told her something she did not want to do. Laurel tucked the book in her little drawstring purse, and followed Aunt Iris inside.

            Laurel did not tell anyone about the book she knew mother would ask a lot of questions and she did not have any answers. The book came out of the clear blue with very little communication attached with it. The questions that would be asked would lead to doubt and she didn't want any doubt she just wanted this moment.