"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. 

After the ball

The days following the ball there was a shift in the household. People came to Danford Hall to call on the family and when Kathryn made her calls she invited Emmy to come with her not Julia. Emmy found most of the visits to be mind dulling and repetitive. She heard the same news, the same gossip or reports from each of the women they called on. The only calls Emmy found interesting were the ones Kathryn did for the church, it was these calls Kathryn and Emmy would visit the poor or the invalid. Here Emmy felt useful and the conversation were not mindlessly repetitive. But nothing replaced the pleasure Emmy gained from her quiet times in the woods.

            Emmy had tried to be more lady like but the woods still called to her so she would slip out before the house rose and then be back at breakfast with every hair in the right place and dressed without a spot of dirt. She thought no one was the wiser but little did she know one morning Caleb James woke up from the restless night and watched Emmy creep out into the woods.
 

            "Hello Miss Emmy," Caleb called up to Emmy who was sitting on the lowest branch of the tree she always hid in.

            ”How did you know I was here?"

            "I saw you sneak out yesterday and today I followed you."

            "Oh Mr. James please don't tell the household."

            "Why not?"

            "I would be mortified if they found out."

            "Mortified?"

            "Yes so you must not tell them."

            "Why don't you come down so we can go for a walk or at least not yell and perhaps wake the house."

            "All right I'll come down."

            When Emmy was down from the tree Caleb asked. "Now what were you doing in that tree? and why can't I tell anyone?"

            "I am sorry Mr. James I guess I still have childish ways in me."

            "You need not apologize to me. I think that is endearing."

            "Thank you Mr. James but I don't think your sister or my sister would agree."

            "Why do you say that?"

            "Both of them want me to grow up or at last act more grown up.  I think they would see it as childish to climb trees or wade in creeks and get all muddy."

            "Well then Miss. Emmy it will be our little secret."

            "Thank you."

            "Now Miss Emmy, we should probably get back before anyone notices. I would hate to ruin your reputation by having you seen a lone with a man."

            "But we have walked alone before."

            "You had not been presented yet, now you have countless men seeking after your hand."

            "You are kind Mr. James but I doubt I will have countless men seeking after my hand."

            "You had a line of men wanting to dance with you."

            "Yes but that was one night, I can hardly believe any of them will turn into a suitor."

            "Why?"

            Emmy couldn't tell him they were penniless so thought of something quick. "Mother, would not allow me to court anyone till Laurel was married or at least engaged."

            "That is very traditional."

            "My mother is very traditional. We had all hoped she would be engaged soon but we have heard nothing from Mr. Foster since he left," she didn't mean to say the name but it slipped."

            "Mr. Foster?"

            "Oh Mr. James, you cannot tell anyone I said the name. Laurel would slaughter me for speaking about it."

            "Two secrets in one day," Caleb smiled. "But Mr. Foster? A Mr. Ethan Foster?"

            "Yes. Do you know him?"

            "By name only. But I cannot believe he would propose to your sister."

            "Why not?" Emmy said in an angry huff.

            "Well the Mr. Foster I know, and it could be a different Mr. Foster is already engaged."

            "What?"

            "Yes, to a Sally Lawrence."

            "How do you know?"

            "Like I said it could be another Mr. Foster but two years ago I wanted to court a Miss. Lawrence. I had walked her home from church and once called on her but she told me then and there that she had been engaged for almost a year to a Mr. Ethan Foster. She apologized profusely but she begged me to swear to keep it private."

            "Yes it must be another Mr. Foster. The Mr. Foster I know is too stand up to be engaged to one girl and act the way he acted with my sister. Besides the Mr. Foster I know lives in Boston and you live in New York."

            "You are right, I was wrong to suggest it was the same guy. I just want to protect you and your sisters."

            "That is kind of you. But you must promise me Mr. James that you will not tell my sister or anyone I told you about Mr. Foster."

            "Your secret is safe with me."

            Even  though Caleb changed topics Emmy still couldn’t get the thought of Ethan Foster being engaged to someone else. How could it be so? He was certainly in love with Laurel, and Laurel was certainly in love with him, though she never speaks of him. Ethan Foster was too upstanding to be a man who would be engaged to one woman and fall in love with another, he would never allow himself to be scandalized in such a way.

            “My goodness Miss Emmy you look pale. Is everything all right?” Caleb asked as they were half way to the house.
            “A sudden headache, I guess  lack of breakfast.”
            “Ah yes that will do it. Well lets not make this walk any longer, I will show you home. We will sneak in the back grab a quick bite before you put on your clean and proper clothes.”
            “Thank you Mr. James.”

            He offered her his arm in case she got light headed from lack of food.

            “I will miss these woods,” Caleb said as they crossed over between the woods and the landscape gardens
            “What do you mean?”
            “I have to go back to New York.”
            “What? When?”
            “Well not today but soon, maybe in a fortnight?”
            “I thought you were going to spend the summer here?”
            “I thought so too but I have to get back to work. My business partner is pleading with me to be back by the end of the week.”
            “But you won’t leave before the Melbourne picnic.”
            “I shall try to stay as long as I can?”
            “Oh you must stay.”
            “Miss Emmy, are you going to miss me when I am gone?”
            “Of course I am. You have brought such life back into this house.”
            “And you have brought such life back into my world. I will miss you even more than these woods. When I go back to New York it will be only business and boring dinners and parties. I shall think of you sitting in these woods playing out some big adventure.”
            “I am sure the city will amuse you plenty. I wish I could leave these woods and not play out a big adventure but actually have one.”
            “You should come to New York, you will have a fabulous time. I will show you off to all the socialites and you can put them in their place for having their noses in the air.”
            “I doubt my mother would let me go to New York by myself and we can’t convince Laurel to go to Boston for a month. I doubt she would go to New York with me.”
            “You could always run away. We could have a smashing time.”
            “Run away?” Emmy was taken aback by the suggestion.
            “I was only joking Miss Emmy. I wouldn’t think of you actually running away. I don’t know if I could look at you if you ran away. Think of the worry and the brokenness your mother would feel knowing you had run away. I would not encourage you to cause that on such a sweet woman like your mother.”
            “Oh Mr. James, how silly of me to think you were being serious. Imagine us running away and eloping it would be something out of a novel, it would probably ruin both our reputations and break my mother's heart.”
            “Yes, true heroines must be good at all times. I see grandness for you Miss Emmy and I will not have a silly idea of elopement ruining that,” Caleb smiled. It was a smile half way between sweet and trickery.

            Emmy was so wrapped up in Caleb she only saw the sweetness behind the smile. The truth is Caleb had never suggested the elopement part of the runaway plan it was all in Emmy’s imagination. But Emmy thought when he said she could run away, that he meant they could run away together and elope and she saw it as sort of  a marriage proposal not just a trickery ideal. “Imagine me engaged at sixteen, mother will be over the moon, and she will have to agree to it, Mr. James is far better than any other prospects I could have.”

            What was to happen later Emmy would know nothing about till months later. That night after dinner Julia watched Caleb escape into the library alone. Ever since the ball Caleb and Emmy had been inseparable. Julia even over heard Laurel getting made at Emmy for them sneaking off into the gardens alone before breakfast. To Julia it now seemed as if nothing would come between Emmy and Caleb and that vexed Julia more than anything to see her penniless cousin making such a good match, a match she had wanted. Julia knew the only thing she could do was throw herself at Caleb and she would suffer whatever consequence mother would throw at her.

            “Hello Mr. James,” she said softly.

            He quickly turned around “Oh Miss Danford, I wasn’t expecting anyone to follow me in here.”
            “Are you okay? You seemed quiet at dinner but I saw the looks you and my cousin were sharing as if you guys shared a secret.”
            “You noticed that?”
            “Well Emmy has been acting odd all day. I couldn’t help but keep a close eye on her. But you admit you guys share a secret."

            "I didn't say that. But yes I guess you could say we share a secret."

            "You're engaged? I knew it! How could you engage yourself to that child."

            "Engaged? No. Why do you think we are engaged."

            "All day Emmy has been acting giddy. Overly happy like someone love struck. Then you and her sharing those looks at dinner it only seemed logical you guys were engaged. Ever since the ball you have been inseparable."

            "Well I guess in honesty she thinks I suggested elopement I guess in that way we are engaged."

            "Elopement!"

            Caleb hushed her. "I joked she could run away to New York and I guess she thought I meant in elopement. It is kind of flattering how much she is in love with me."

            "You can't be serious Mr. James."

            "I am besides Miss Danford what would be so wrong with me engaging myself to your cousin. I have never met any woman like her."

            "That’s just it, she is not a woman she is still a child."

            "She is hardly a child. True she is not a woman all the way but I find that refreshing. She doesn't know how to act properly all her words and thoughts are not perfectly played out like a chess game."

            "Are you serious, Mr. James? You sound like a man in love."

            "You sound concerned. Well rest easy, I am not in love."

            "Good," Julia heaved a sigh.

            "You never answered my question what would be so wrong with me to your cousin?"

            "I could not bear to see a man deceived in such a way."

            "Deceived?"

            "My cousins are penniless. They are charity."

            "What do you mean?"

            "You don't know. Your love didn't tell you. The Cromwell girls are penniless. They have been since the day my aunt married a Mr. Jefferson Cromwell. He was going to be a lawyer but his father's publishing business needed help but it just tanked. He left his girls ruined being nothing but a charity case that my Grandmother and father have been covering up for the last eight years. Their only hope is a well marriage, everyone thought it was Laurel's burden to carry but when you started showing attention to Emmy, they all started whispering that you could be the one to relieve them from their rotten fate."

            "I think you have said too much," he had a mix tone of coldness and disappointed.

            "It is true all of it."

            "Well rest assure Miss Danford. I am not in love with Miss Emmy, I am not in love with any one," now he sounded a little sad. 

A blooming flower

Emmy sat gazing her reflection in the mirror feeling that she possessed some of her childish features no matter how much Kathryn James tried to glamour her up. Emmy could still see the little freckles on the ridge of her nose she also saw a little girl figure with mostly no to curve to it she was still mostly a stick. She had hoped with her new dress and new hair she would see an eloquent woman looking back at her. A woman who has every hair perfectly in place and eyes that can make a man go weak in the knees. Emmy dabbed a tad of Fiona's perfume that had a wonderful fragrance of wild lilies and sweet mint. Fiona only wore it on special occasions and tonight she was allowing Emmy wear it. She smoothed a loose hair as Kathryn had done her hair perfectly earlier and gave her cheeks a little pinch so they would look rosier. Then her hand strolled down her neck till she felt her mother's pearls around her neck. Emmy placed her hand over them rubbing them every so lightly with the tips of her fingers. Fiona a only owned two necklaces her locket that carried Jefferson's picture and that never came off her neck and this pearl necklace, it was the one she wore when she married Jefferson and it was her only her luxury in life. She didn't even let Laurel wear them to her first ball but she was letting Emmy and Emmy knew how important that was.

            "Emmy!" Fiona's call hastened her step.

            She looked at herself one last time to fix that pesky strain of her hair and got up from the vanity. "Lord, let this night go well, let me remember it forever," she said the prayer quickly, adjusted her dress one last time and left the room as Fiona called for her again.

            Everyone was stunned ad they saw Emmy appear on the top landing of the stairs. All had noticed her slight improvements over these last few weeks since Kathryn had been helping her but no one expected to see such a beautiful lady appear when Emmy came around the corner. Laurel almost gasped when she saw the dress wasn't Emmy's but Miss James' dress. "How disgraceful that Emmy would accept charity," Laurel thought. Fiona and Kathryn only grinned ear to ear seeing the beautiful woman before them. Both Caleb and Brandon were taken back and Julia felt a little ping of jealously see how beautiful her cousin was made up.

            Caleb was bold taking her arm when she got to the bottom of the stairs and escorted her to the motor coach.

            "You must allow me the pleasure of escorting you into the ball. I would be honored to have the prettiest girl on my arm."

            "This is my first ball Mr. James is it not appropriate that a family member escort me in."

            "We are soon to be cousins."

            "Not quite," Emmy smiled.

            "Yes not quite," Caleb smiled back in a flirtatious way.

            Emmy wondered if she had smiled flirtatiously and if she had she was proud of herself because it was rather grown up to flirt. Emmy didn’t notice but Julia was scowling the more Caleb smiled at Emmy. She could not believe her penniless who was a mere child was getting more attention than she was. She knew she should have had mother send for one of her finer gowns in Boston. But mother seemed completely set on ruining Julia's life, she thought. Fiona looked over and saw the downcast look Brandon James had on his face and knew Brandon wished he had been just as bold.

            "Mr. James would you mind escorting this poor woman into the ball."

            "It would be my pleasure but you are hardly either adjective."

            "You are kind."

            Nicholas of course escorted Kathryn in leaving Laurel and Julia to walk by themselves.

            Everyone in Pine Haven was amazed to see the transformation of Emmy Cromwell and they were even more surprised to see the dashing man escorting her. Everybody knew Miss James but hardly anyone had met her brothers so the room gossiped about this young man.

            "Do you see Emmy Cromwell?" "Do you see the man whose arm she is holding?" "Who is he?" "That is Miss James' brother from New York." "Quite handsome." "And quite rich, Miss James has been bragging about a success he has been in industry." "I wonder how Emmy grabbed him?" "I don't know."

            "Oh Mrs. Cromwell!" Mrs. Taylor broke through the crowd of gossipers to approach her dear friend. "It is so great to see you here and what a big party you bring with you."

            "Yes and I have a special introduction to make my youngest daughter Miss Emmaline Charlotte Cromwell this is her very first ball."

            Emmy was too engrossed looking at the beautiful room to hear her mother say her full name.

            "Emmy?" The sharp tone pulled Emmy out her day dream.

            "Yes."

            "Come day hello to Mrs. Taylor," Fiona said.

            Caleb James walked Emmy over to Mrs. Taylor. It was two steps, something Emmy could have easily done on her own but Caleb seemed adamant to hold on to her.

            "Miss Emmy, it is great pleasure to have your first ball be this one," Emmy thought Mrs. Taylor was putting on false airs. Mrs. Taylor had never looked at Emmy for more than two seconds in her whole life.

            But Emmy responded most respectfully. "Thank you Mrs. Taylor, I have been looking forward to this ball since I was a little girl, it was do kind of you to invite me."

            Mrs. Taylor smiled at Fiona giving her approval over Emmy. Fiona tenderly smiled at Emmy letting her know she had done right.

            "Mrs.  Taylor may I present Mr. Caleb, he is Miss James brother from New York and has been staying with us for a few weeks and we have all been taken with him," Fiona said.

            "Mr. James."

            "Mrs. Taylor."

            Pleasantries were exchanged and then Fiona moved on to introduce the rest of the party.

            "She seems rather a character," Caleb laughed when she was out of ear shot.

            "A character indeed, her politeness to me could be a great scene of acting."

            "I am sure no one will be cunning to you tonight."

            "This is a ball the cunning behavior Mr. James is half the fun."

            "How do you know?"

            "I read a lot."

            "Well Miss Emmy, life is always more fascinating than books."

            "Not my life," Emmy lowered he gaze,

            "Cheer up Miss Emmy this is your first ball and anything can happen."

            Emmy looked at Caleb and her had the same sincere smile he had when he saved her in the rain.

            "My, my Miss James, I do hope you like the Cromwell family, it looks like they will soon be your in laws," Julia said.

            "Caleb is just amusing himself. He is far from proposing to any girl but I would be careful Julia keep talking that would be careful Julia keep talking that way people might think you would be jealous."

            "Me jealous of that child? I should say not."

            "Oh come now Julia she is far from a child in looks and behavior. This way Emmy speaks of you I thought you were good friends."

            "When we were children I found her amusing."

            "I think you are too harsh," Kathryn then walked away. She found Brandon standing alone. "Dear Brandon, are you_­ not having any fun?"

            "The music is nice and the company seems enjoyable, and the room is very nice."

            "That dear brother did not answer my question."

            "Go find your husband to be as I find some old bachelor to talk business and politics with."

            "Didn't Miss Emmy promise you a dance?"

            "A waltz but if Caleb keeps to her as he has I doubt I will be spend any time with her."

            "Well there are other girls here besides Miss Emmy," Kathryn has a sly but sweet smile.

            "I promise sister I will dance with you, Miss Danford and Miss Cromwell but there is no one else I know. Besides I think every girl here has eyes for Caleb."

            "Yes he does always draw a crowd but I think he has eyes for Miss Emmy."

            "Oh sister, we both know Caleb has a short attention span. He should not favor Miss Emmy so blatantly, I fear he will break her heart."

            "Always the protective older brother."

            "Go back to your group, enjoy the gossip and the fineries but let me be."

            "Oh brother," Kathryn was about to walk away and then stopped "and brother don't let Caleb hog Miss Emmy."

            Kathryn left Brandon's side and as she continued to circulate she saw Mrs. Cromwell enjoying conversation with her friends. Kathryn had never really pictured Mrs.  Cromwell as much out and about kind of woman but Mrs. Cromwell seemed quite amused in her settings. Then she saw Laurel standing with a few girls making slight insignificant small talk, all of which seemed to bore Laurel.

            "Miss Cromwell, is that Miss James?" one of Laurel's friends asked but they did not wait for a response. "She is quite stunning."

            "My mother goes on and on about how pleasant she is," another girl said.

            "It is a good thing she is engaged or else her presence here would make it impossible for us to gain attention," another girl joked.

            "I think the only girl we have to be concerned about is Miss Emmy," the first girl said. "Look at her on Mr. Caleb James' arm the only man worth really talking too."

            "Miss Cromwell, how did she bloom so?"

            "I do not know," Laurel said.

            "Well you and your mother are quite beautiful perhaps she had it in her all a long and nobody knew she since she was always hiding behind books or up a tree, or wearing girlish clothes."

            "But now she is quite grown up looking. I mean still a little young around the edges but definitely potential for a bloom."

            "Of course she looks young, she is only sixteen, she shouldn't be looking a lady of society because she is not and it is ridiculous for you to be whispering on about her so," Laurel said with a huff and took off.

            Kathryn overheard everything and out of the corner of her eye saw Laurel walk away. She wished she knew what to say but Kathryn could tell Laurel was not one to accept consoling. So she decided to let her cool down and when Laurel would come back to the room she would try to talk to her. 

Before the Ball

"A ball how wonderful," Gloria said dancing around the table.

           

"Indeed but Mrs. Taylor hardly needs advice on how to throw a ball, she has thrown the same summer eve ball for the last six years, she must be a seasoned pro."

            "But Miss James must know all the latest trends when it comes to balls," Emmy said to her mother. "She is so well cultured."

            "Yes indeed she seems to have a way of making friends where ever she goes. Nicholas could not have chosen a better partner."

            "Partner? Mother, you make it sound like a business."

            "It is in some respects, and not an easy one."

            "But a marriage should not be a business?"

            "Only in some respects, you will discover a great deal more about it when you get married."

            "If I get married."

            "You must have hope dear Emmy you are only sixteen."

            "You met father when you were seventeen and married him by twenty."

            "Four years is a long time you still get plenty of time," Fiona kissed her daughter on the forehead.

            "Yes mother."

            Emmy didn't know then if she ever wanted to get married and she didn't know if she was to morn or rejoice over it. She wanted to passion that was for sure but she also wanted adventure, to see the world and everything in it but how could one do that and be a wife and mother? At sixteen she didn't have the answer.

            Gloria distracted her thoughts for awhile as she begged their mother to go to the ball.

            "Are you mad? You are far too young."

            "I will be thirteen soon."

            "Thirteen is still far too young."

            "But?"

            "You will just have to wait till you're older."

            "When will I ever be old enough to do anything."

            Gloria crossed her arms and fell into a chair slumping further than appropriate.

            Fiona turned to Emmy "I think though Emmy you are old enough. You are sixteen and Laurel went to her first ball at sixteen."

            "But I barely know how to dance and I have nothing to wear."

            "Well I can teach you more and you can borrow one Laurel's dress. You just have to promise to be careful with it."

            "Oh I will."

            "Good then its settled, Emmy will be going to her first ball," without keeping a beat seeing Gloria's sad puppy look "and you will go when you are sixteen and not a moment sooner."

            Gloria sighed.

            The girls had a mostly quiet afternoon until a surprise gift came for Emmy more flowers a beautiful arrangement from Miss Dashwood's nursery in town. The card did not say who they were from giving the house mild gossip over dinner time.

            "I don't know brother," Miss James said. "It looks like you have some competition for Miss Emmy's heart."

            "I don't have any attention to seek Miss Emmy's heart," Caleb said. "I brought the flowers out of friendship."

            "And spent almost two hours between yesterday and today with them." Julia sounded callous.

            "I was making sure she was all right, none of you saw the way she fell."

            "Caleb don't be shy."

            "I am not being shy, sister, she is barely fourteen she is still much a girl."

            "Sixteen, and I think given the right amount of pampering she would look much more her age."

            "Well you can pamper her all you want for this mystery fellow, I him all the luck."

            "You sound too harsh Mr. James," Julia said "remember they are my cousins and soon to be your sister's relatives."

            "They all seem so backwards, not at all trained in how to be real women of society." 

            "Yes that is a shame," Kathryn said. "Nicholas perhaps when we are married we can invite Miss Cromwell and Miss Emmy to stay with us. I talked to Miss Emmy today for a good hour and she is quite a delightful I think she would get the most out of Boston and perhaps in Boston we can crack Miss Cromwell's shell."

            "Oh that will never happen," Julia laughed "she is far too rigid."

            "I don't know, she is stuck living in this house with ailing Grandma and hardly a social circle to push her beyond comfort ability. Its settled Nicholas and I are back from our honeymoon we shall invite them to spend the season with us."

            "Yes my darling," Nicholas kissed her hand.

            "What do you say Brandon, you have been quiet all night? In fact I have barely heard you speak two words since I arrived," Caleb said.

            "I don't like to pry. What the Miss Cromwells decide to do, and who they flowers from is hardly my affair."

            "Shame, Brandon you and Miss Emmy were getting along smashingly before, it was almost as if you replace her in your heart as your little sister."

            "I could never do that Kathryn. Miss Emmy is a good girl."

            "She is hardly a girl," Kathryn smiled.

            "It doesn't matter how old she looks it is how old she acts and Emmy is lost in a world of fantasy and fairy tales she shall never be older than twelve at heart," Julia said.

            "Now look who is being harsh," Caleb snickered.

            They quieted down as soon as Charles and Victoria came in the room. It was lucky for them that the Cromwell girls had still taken to the upstairs parlor for dinner. But the whole household came together after dinner to watch Gloria put on a recital. Kathryn watched that night how attentive Brandon was to Emmy and she knew he did not mean those cold cutting words he had said earlier. He did in fact care for her and did care to see she was all right in everything she needed.

            The next day Kathryn made it her mission made it her mission to make Emmy Cromwell into the most sophisticated woman that ever walked around Pine Haven. Kathryn could tell after spending a real solid hour with Emmy it was not her mind that was holding her back from any true sophistication, it really was that she hadn’t grown up. No one had really ever expected her to grow up, Kathryn thought, so she didn't but because she hadn't embraced growing up people were going to keep treating her like a child. That had to change, Kathryn thought.

            "You told me yesterday you wanted to wear one of my dresses, why have you changed your mind?" Kathryn asked Emmy the next morning after breakfast.

            "I do but I don't think Laurel will like it and if Laurel doesn't then mother won't and I don't want to hurt either one of them."

            "I don't see how a dress could hurt them it is merely a kind gesture between friends," Kathryn said.

            "Fine then lets at least do your hair."

            "All right, but it doesn't really matter what you do I am still going to be the scrawny pale girl with far too many freckles."

            "You will be beautiful, it's amazing what a nice hairdo and some blush can do. But for the ball you must wear whatever dress you choose. We just went tell Laurel till is too late."

            "Any dress you have will not fit me, you are blessed in ways. I am not."

            "Do you not wear stays?"

            "Mother doesn't want to ruin our figure."

            "They don't ruin your figure they improve what you don't have stays are a girls best friends."

            Emmy blushed a bit, she had never talked so openly about under garments. Kathryn began doing Emmy's hair like her mother had done her hair for years. The simple act hair of hair brush bond girls together more than most activities and even though there were many difference between Kathryn and Emmy one could say they became like sisters in that time. Emmy even felt so comfortable with Kathryn she told her one of her stories.

            "That is brilliant Emmy you really should go to Boston and get them published. I am sure your uncle must have connections in the publishing world. They must be outer there for the world not just in your head."

            "Laurel does not like my stories, she them as silly," Emmy said bashfully.

            "Well Laurel can make mistakes."

            Emmy thought such things but would never say these words out loud. This very statement caused Emmy warmed up towards Kathryn even more so, but she would never tell Laurel what Kathryn said it would be her secret. That secret caused Emmy's heart a little tickle.

            "I think you should recite the story after dinner I think my brother would like it very much."

            Kathryn meant Brandon but Emmy believed she mean Caleb. Kathryn could see Brandon cared for Emmy and tended to her like any older would do. But two fact were unknown to Kathryn one being that Brandon cared for Emmy more an older brother but knew no one would accept them as a legitimate couple so he would have to keep quiet his feeling. The fact was that Emmy only had eyes for Caleb James. No one she had liked before measured up to Caleb and she thought this could be true love.

            Kathryn twisted and piled Emmy's hair into a beautiful up do. The improvement brought maturity to Emmy's looks but she still had a delicate look with some loose hairs fell perfectly into little ringlets at the base of her head.

            "You look wonderful."

            Emmy hardly believed her, she would always be childish and scrawny in her mind. But she did admit the up do did add some maturity but doubted any one would see her as anything beyond a silly girl.

            Kathryn brushed Emmy's cheeks with powder and showed Emmy how to rub a little balm across her lips.

            "I see quite a lady coming out."

            "I doubt it."

            "You will be the bell of the ball."

            "Now you are teasing me."

            "Fine don't believe me when we are at the ball next week see how many guys ask you to dance."

            "Miss James everybody in this town knows me, no one will ask me to dance, I am the silly young Cromwell girl with hardly any prospects. I am the Plain Jane off the family with only my stories."

            "You sparkle when you tell your stories, you practically light up like a candle, you have to let that light shine through and no one will think you plain."

            "How do I do that?"

            "Think of these heroines you have portrayed in your mind. Think of how you would act if you were them most of all be yourself. Not Laurel's younger sister and not Julia's cousin just yourself. The hair and blush will never change that." 

Ethan Foster (Part 1)

Grandma Danford had no statement to come back to the stranger. She simply cleared her throat and moved on to find out about Nicholas’ education. Grandma Danford had an opinion on all subjects brought up and she freely spoke them as the whole family knew they were indebted to her someway or another. Though Grandma Danford hardly spoke to Ethan, which could be seen as rude to not be gracious to a guest but Grandma Danford was at a loss when some one spoke out. But Emmy did find out that Ethan was from a prominent family in Sussex with a large estate there.Julia said it was such a it was such a shame that he was such a dull because he was very rich. If he had more of personality she would see him as a much better friend to Nicholas.

“Out of all the friends Nick has I find him the least interesting, I do not wish mother insisted for Nick to bring him. Last week he read us some of the the tales of King Arthur and never so much had I wanted Lancelot dead as I did that night. Though I suspect mother has long wanted us to marry, I guess that is why mother insisted on him.”

“So you do not like him?” Emmy asked her shyly.

“Heavens no, English men are so dreary and irksome.”

“He didn’t seem so at tea today.”

“Emmy, he hardly said five words,” Julia laughed at her cousin’s foolish swooning. “I wouldn’t

recommend you falling for him either, you are nearly eight years younger than him and I know you read novels but in real life men of wealthy families do not make unfortunate matches.”

“Thank you cousin for your warning and if my mind was going that way your warning would be wise but it wasn’t, you can have him.”

“Yes cousin,” Julia gave Emmy a smile a smile as if she didn’t believe her.

Emmy wouldn’t admit it to anyone but secretly and suddenly she did have a crush on Ethan. He

had a gentle smile and was very sweet to everyone. He also didn’t treat any of the Cromwells poorly because they weren’t in the same rank as he was. And this kind behavior would attract any girl to him. But she soon saw the dreary ways Julia spoke of and though he was sweet she also saw they had little in comm with each other. He had no interest in adventure in seeing anything beyond his nose, he even described the hills of Italy ordinary. How could any one describe the hills of Italy as boring or not want to see the Serengeti Plans, she thought.

“In my foolishness, I have dreamt of my first love so long it is no one wonder I lost my head over Ethan,” Emmy wrote in her journal. She realized Julia had changed and she could not share her secret crush to her. “I have had so many almost love. There was Peter but he pushed me in the creek on the fourth of July, when I was nine. Then there was Andrew, Marcus, Robert, and Finley of course they were just sporadic loves it was Patrick Cooper that was my true love and he hardly noticed me. And while I waited patiently for him I had crushes on another Marcus, a John and a William. But William paid more attention to his pet frogs than girls. And while I had all these almost loves, I dreamed of having my own love it was no wonder I took to Ethan who was kind and noticed the way my eyes shined when he read some Keats. But besides Keats Ethan shows a lack of passion I would need. He would actually be perfect for Laurel.”

Emmy was not the only one who noticed Ethan’s attentions to Laurel. Everyone but Laurel noticed the way he looked at her and she seemed to shine in his eyes the way a candle light could light the whole night sky. No one had ever seen Laurel laugh as much as she did when Ethan’s company and her seemed eager to spend time with him and speak to her which was hard since Grandma Danford dominated most of the conversation. It was like watching Mr. Darcy trying to to talk to Elizabeth Bennett while Lady Catherine hardly let any one speak a word but no one could quiet Lady Catherine and no one could quiet Grandma Danford. And even though plainly dressed compared to Julia, it was obvious when Laurel was in the room he cared little for Julia.

“I am happy Laurel takes Mr. Foster off my hands. I would hate to disappoint a man so deeply in love with me,” Julia said almost after two weeks of being there.

“If dear cousin he was so in love with you surely he would not fall for Laurel, so quickly,” Emmy

said almost proud of Laurel snatching Ethan away from Julia.

“I did not mean he was in love with me currently or at any time but he had fallen in love with me, I would hate to disappoint him. My heart could never love a man of that nature.”

“Why do you think so ill of him? He seems nothing but to be a fine man.”

“Yes fine indeed but nothing beyond that.”

“I think you are jealous, my dear cousin.”

“Jealous of Laurel? I have a least twenty suitors. How many has Laurel had? None. Besides as I

said before Mr. Foster is not likely to make such a low match. And we all know you Cromwell girls don’t have two pennies put together.”

For the first time in Emmy’s life she wanted to slug some one. More surprisingly she wanted to slug Julia. She had realized Julia had changed but not so meanly. She now seemed cruel and unfeeling. Emmy could not stand to hear any more of Julia’s chuckles. Emmy picked up her books and walked quickly back to the house. For a minute or two Emmy was surprised that Julia did not follow her but then Emmy was hardened by Julia not following behind to apologize. “She must really feel no remorse for her cruel words,” Emmy thought. Emmy had never felt so low inferior to Julia and Emmy wanted nothing more than to punch that delightful, refined, judgemental face into the ground a make her eat dirt. If Emmy thought she could have gotten away with it with out getting an hour lecture first from Grandma Danford, then a disappointed look from mother, she would have.

Emmy was too wrapped up in her own thoughts she barely realized she had come across Laurel and Ethan strolling through the garden. They were walking closer than Emmy had ever see a man and a woman walk together. When Laurel’s shawl fell over her shoulders Ethan helped place it back up giving a little graze of his finger to her arm. It was casual enough any one far away would not have noticed but Emmy was watching them intently.

“A low match,” Emmy wanted to laugh in Julia’s face obviously Ethan did not think so. Emmy had to get closed she longed to hear what a man would say when declaring his feelings.

“Dear Miss Cromwell thank you for the walk today. Ever since I got her I have wanted to-” Emmy’s heart skipped a beat wondering what Ethan would say next “see these gardens. Your Grandma surprises me being so traditional but yet these woods come right up to the hedges I would never see such things in England.”

“The gardens, that’s what they were talking about and he wasn’t comparing Laurel’s beauty to a

flower, how unromantic,” Emmy thought.

“These woods were my Grandfather’s love. He saw no reason to cut down nature to plant planned out gardens.”

“Well I must say I quite agree the woods look more picturesque than a perfectly trimmed hedge.”

“Yes I agree.”

Emmy could tell Laurel was lying for Laurel hadn’t been in the woods since she was thirteen and

the only reason why she went then was to get Emmy to come home.

“But I don’t get into the woods as much as I would like, I have to stay close to home my mother is absolutely dependent on me, she and I both round the clock health physicians to my Grandmother.”

“That must be a big strain to you.”

“Well Gloria is far too young and I am afraid Emmy doesn’t see much beyond her books and day dreams. I am the only one left.”

“But surely your Grandma must not need you all the time, I think you would do very well in Boston’s society they are such intellectual thinkers to be honest I feel sometimes nervous to be in large groups. Everyone has an opinion and they all seem right.”

“Going to Boston is out of the question,”just like that Laurel made him quiet she hadn’t meant to but she didn’t know what to say.

After a bit he said “Yes I can see your attachment to your family and this house is very strong and I understand why the house is beautiful and your family is so close. I am not close to any one and I am entirely dependent on my aunt.”

“I thought your family owned much of Sussex county,” Laurel said it faster than she could realize it might be rude.

“We do but,” Ethan stammered over his thinking.

“I am sorry Mr. Foster it is not my place to ask,” Laurel wanted to turn away and bury her head in her hands in shame.

“No Laurel,” it was the first time he called her by her first name. “It is all right. I want us to entirely honest with each other.” Laurel had never felt this pain and lightness in her heart all at once. “My family the Fosters do own a great estate by my father was the younger son and has made his profession in the law, my mother was a shop keeper’s daughter and had little money of her own. My father’s family looked down upon the marriage until the very end.”

“Oh Mr. Foster,” Laurel’s heart ached.

“Its all right Miss Cromwell, I have never seen a couple so happy and we never went out food or clothing or happiness. My mother is in a better place now, you know its odd in many ways you look like her,” he stepped close and looked into her eyes “same sweet smile that could light up a room and hair shined in the sun like yours.”

“Thank you, but what happened with your family,” Laurel couldn’t let herself blush now. But she was surprised how easy it was for what her sister called falling for a man. A man who was practically a stranger but she had been able to share more of herself than she had even done with her friend, Amelia Carmichael. She told herself that until she felt more certain of his feelings she was going to push her feelings away.

“Oh,” Ethan stepped away from the intimacy of standing close “My uncle inherited everything and a few years ago he died with no heir so he left everything to my aunt, minus the money he promised to educate myself and my siblings. She has all the control of the estate she could leave it all to her pugs if she wanted to.”

“Surely no one can be that selfish.”

“You are too kind Miss Cromwell. Now I will not waste another minute of this glorious day boring you of my Aunt Foster.”

“You are not boring me.”

“That’s sweet of you. Now Miss Cromwell will you show your favorite part of these woods.”

“Like I said Mr. Foster I don’t get out into the woods very much if you really want to know about these woods, I would ask Emmy. She knows every tree and plant.”

“Well then Miss Cromwell lets explore together. These woods remind me of the woods I saw surrounding the ruins of Billington Castle. They go all the way back to the eleventh century, I guess that’s still young comparatively the whole span of European history. But they are so breath taking.”

“My mother has told me stories of her being shown Europe and she loved all the ruins all the way back to the Romans. I hope one day to see the Roman ruins.”

“Well then you shall.”

“Oh no Mr. Foster I said I can’t leave my family.”

“Your sisters won’t always be young.”

“Gloria is only ten and will be in school for some time. Emmy would have to pull her head out of the clouds or books to notice the needs of others. Mother won’t for her into reality as she urges to Emmy to dream.”

“You are a good sister and daughter to sacrifice your dreams to help your dreams to help your family. I hope they know how lucky they are to have you.” Ethan saw a distressed look upon her face. “Let’s not talk about worrisome ordeals, instead lets see if we can find our own buried treasures.” He gave her gentle smile.”

Emmy heard them getting closer and tried to make herself as small as possible. If Laurel had known Emmy had over heard the entire conversation she would say Emmy was intruding and that Emmy was being immature for over hearing. Emmy hated when Laurel called her immature. They passed by with out noticing Emmy but Emmy still didn’t move until she felt certain they were out of ear shot ad not to be noticed.

Fiona was the first to greet Emmy. “Where is everyone its almost time for tea?”

“Mother, do I have my head in a cloud.”

“What?”

“I over heard Laurel tell Mr. Foster I have my head in a cloud and can’t see any one else’s problems.”

“What were you doing over hearing them?”

“I didn’t mean to, I was coming into the gardens and they were walking around and I over heard them and Laurel said she couldn’t leave the house because you were dependent on her and you couldn’t depend on me because I have my cloud. Is that true?”

“You have always been a dreamer like your father. I would not worry about what Laurel says she has placed a burden upon herself.”

“But can I help out more.”

“Yes by telling me where everyone is,” Fiona gave Emmy a hug and a kiss on a cheek.

For part 2 click here