Into the woods

Emmy could not recount all the words she said to her mother she just remembered falling into her mother's arms weeping. They had arrived after dinner so it was too late to start back to Boston but Mrs. Pembers had the cook make them a light meal but Emmy ate only to bites before she felt sick to her stomach. The next day Fiona spent the day making arrangements to stay at her friend's house and Fiona made sure a nurse and doctor were on call in case anything happened to Grandma Danford. Mrs. Pembers said she could handle everything but Fiona felt better knowing the house was well maintained. Emmy still didn't eat much of any meals and went to bed right after dinner exhausted from not being able to sleep the last couple of nights. She still couldn't sleep though and until the sun rose she just paced the floor. Once the sun was up she got dressed, did her hair in a loose bun that she could manage on her own and snuck outdoors to her woods, the only place she felt she could get peace.

            "Ah Miss Emmy there you are," Mr. Foster said finding her in the woods.

            "What are you doing here?"

            "Your mother sent me looking for you. She said you would be here."

            "Is everything all right?"

            "Oh yes. She wanted you to know she would be ready in the hour and then after lunch we should take off."

            "Who can think of food at a time like this?"

            "You must stay healthy Miss Emmy, you will be no good to your sister if you too are ill."

            "I am no good here."

            "Yes you are, you are bringing her mother to her."

            "Yes I am a good messenger."

            "Miss Emmy you are much more than a messenger."

            "No much more."

            "What would your sister say if she heard you talking like this?"

            "First she would be upset I was walking in the woods and getting my dress dirty. She hated these woods."

            "Really? When I was here last she seemed rather fond of them."

            Emmy remembered that conversation from what she overheard, Laurel had spoken more to Ethan than she had to her own sister about her desires. Then she remembered what Laurel had said about her being so naïve. Emmy couldn't help but giggled when she thought about she had acted.

            "What are you giggling at?" Mr. Foster asked.

            "I overheard one of your talks, when you and Laurel walking out here once, she called me naïve and how I had my head in the clouds most of the time. I guess I was, I guess I am naïve and a silly dreamer. You see, I never had to grow up Laurel was always grown up for the both of us."

            "I think you are pretty grown up."

            "Only because I have to be, if Laurel was healthy and strong , I would still be in my ignorant ways, but circumstances have charged and the world feels so different now."

           

            "But still you find comfort in these woods? Miss James now Mrs. Danford can dress you up in fancy clothes and teach you how to do your hair and your sister's sickness might have forced you to grow up but don't ever lose what makes you, you. These woods, your stories and your heart for adventure that is truly who you are and all the rest is just additional."

            "You were not here for Miss James' trip, who told you that?"

            "She did, she boasted about how she had dolled you up but I rather prefer you with your hair down and rather unruly then a doll who looks to perfect to touch."

           

            Emmy turned around feeling a flush upon her cheek. "You shouldn't talk that way."

            "In what way?"

            "It is almost flirtatious and anyone who didn't know you were in love with Laurel would question your loyalty." She had said it faster than she could think and now that it was there she couldn't take it back.

            "What?"

            She turned back around to face him. "I am sorry Mr. Foster, I should not have accused you of flirting you are only too kind. Please don't tell my sister about any of this."

            "I won't."

            "Especially not about-"

            He cut her off "Don't worry Miss Emmy, I will not say a word, discretion is my greatest flaw. But I am surprised for a girl who lives in the clouds how well you notice things here on earth."

            "I do not mean too."

            "It was all right, " he turned around and walked away leaving her in the woods by herself.

            The ride back to Boston was in silence though Fiona tried to make small talk. Emmy was completely embarrassed for what she had said, she could not believe she had spoken so harshly to Mr. Foster when she had been nothing but kind to her and her family. Little did Emmy know Ethan was also embarrassed for what he had said and done. He thought himself very horrid man. He was also a very trapped man. He was also a very trapped man, he could not believe anyone had noticed his affections for Laurel, it would now be ever harder for him to confess his engagement to Sally Lawrence. He had wanted to do it the morning he came over, he wanted to be up front with Laurel and tell her everything but when Emmy came down and told him of Laurel's sickness his heart hurt. If she died no one would ever know of his true feelings.

            They did not make it back to Boston before night fall so they had to stay at an inn on the side of the road. They agreed they were to have an early breakfast then be back in Boston by lunch time. Emmy tried to sleep but no matter how much Fiona stroked her hair she could not fall asleep. She would pace the floor, lay down then sit back up again.

            "Emmy love are you all right?"

            "I am horrible?"

            "What is the matter?"

            "I should be in Boston caring for Laurel, I should not be here. I should not have said the things I did and I should definitely not felt what I felt."

            "What did you say? What did you feel?"

           

            Emmy sat down next to her mother.

            "Mr. Foster came to find me in the woods this morning and he began complimenting me and how I have grown up. I felt he was flirting with me well I immediately snapped at him and when I did I saw how hurt he looked. He has been nothing but kindness to us and I treated him as if he was a pebble in my shoe. The worst of it was that he was complimenting me and I thought he was flirting I wanted him to kiss me. Even when he looked hurt I still wanted to kiss him. What a horrible sister am I?"

            Fiona giggled.

            "What is so funny?"

            "You are my sweet," Fiona said as she watched her daughter pace the floor."You thought a man was flirting with you and you wanted him to kiss you that is completely normal."

            "Mother?! This is Mr. Foster, Laurel's Mr. Foster, I had no right to think of any way beyond brotherhood."

            "He is still a man and you are growing up, this is the time in your life when your heart and your head won't make much sense. No tell me honestly do still want to kiss him?"

            "Of course not?"

            "Then you are fine."

            "Oh mother," Emmy curled herself up into her mother's side. "I am nearly seventeen years old and I still feel I have so much growing up to do. I feel like I am still making great errors and I will never perfect what I am doing."

            "You are not suppose to be perfect," Fiona gave her a hug.

            "Laurel is."

            "No she is not. She has taken one path and you have taken one path but neither of you is perfect. I am not perfect, no one is, the point is we try."

            Emmy cried until she fell asleep and she actually did sleep that night curled up in her mother's arms.

            The next morning before the party took off Emmy and Mr. Foster were alone as Fiona finished re-packing her trunks.

            "I am sorry Mr. Foster."

            "No Miss Emmy, you have nothing to apologize for, I am sorry."

            "You have been so generous to me and my family and I should not have excused you off flirting with me and I should not have snapped at you either."

            "No, no Miss Emmy, your family has been ever so generous with me, I should not have talked to you in such a way, it was inappropriate, you were right. I think these woods have a magic spell on them, I feel so free when I am there I forget all senses of propriety and it was not at all right."

            "Yes those woods do have a touch of magic there."

            "Friends?" Mr. Foster put out his hand.

            "Friends," Emmy shook it.

            She felt nothing there except for the touch of brotherhood she had always felt for Mr. Foster and took a sigh relief.

Laurel the Damsel in Distress

        Two weeks had passed, the Cromwell girls had seen Mr. Foster almost every day, he still came and sat with them at church and Mrs. Dumont always insisted on him coming to lunch afterwards which he gladly accepted. While he always acted caring during the moments they found them alone nothing had changed between them. In fact Laurel felt they were emotionally further apart than they had been in Pine Haven. All of this began to play havoc on Laurel's health. Laurel's health was growing worse with each passing day though she tried to ignore it, by end of the fortnight she looked pale and stayed in bed most beds.

            "Aunt, I don't think Laurel and I should stay any longer. She is getting worse and Mr. Foster is clearly not making any intention towards her. I think she should be at home with mother she will feel better there with the fresh air and room to breathe also she can start putting Mr. Foster behind her," Emmy said.

            "Yes I agree. I think I have pushed Laurel beyond her limit."

            "Please Aunt Iris let us go home."

            "All right, just stay till the end of the week then I can throw you a proper goodbye dinner party," Aunt Iris kissed Emmy's forehead much in the same way mother did to tell her everything would be all right.

            The dinner party, however, was not to happen the night before the party Laurel came down with a horrible fever. It was so hot and so sudden that Mrs. Dumont sent for the doctor in the middle of the night. He came within the hour, by that time the whole household was awake. Emmy paced the floor in front of Laurel's door even though Aunt Iris kept insisting that Emmy sit down but Emmy could not. She would walk to the little bench, sit next to Aunt Iris then would pop right back up. She also began chewing on pinky nail out of nervousness.

            "It is all right Emmy, she will be fine," Mrs. Dumont said leaning against the back of his chair.

            "If she will be fine then why did Aunt Iris insist on calling the doctor."

            Mr. Dumont looked over at his wife with a "I told you look."

            "I am a nervous Nelly. I worry so much about you girls, a slight fever and I call the doctor," Aunt Iris was now holding Emmy close. "I am just a nervous Nelly and I love you girls so much. I don't want to see you girls go through any pain I promise though everything will be all right."

            "Oh I wish we had just gone home weeks ago. None of the would happen." Emmy pulled away from Aunt Iris and paced the floor again.

           

            The doctor came out of the room shaking his head.

            "What is it doctor?" Emmy asked frantically.

            "She has a high fever but I fear more."

            "What do you mean?"

            "Her heart beat is erratic and she shakes from the cold."

            "What can we do?"

            "I have given her some medicine for her heart. The shakes are due to the fever."

            "Will she be all right?"

            "Yes, oh yes in a few days. Medicine, rest, and comforting words that is what she needs."

            "Thank you Dr. Clark, I will show you out," Mr. Dumont said and tool him down stairs.

            "I will write to our guest in the morning to inform them the party is cancelled," Aunt Iris said.

           

            Emmy just nodded not taking her gaze off Laurel's bedroom door.

            "I am glad Dr. Clark came so quickly, he is a good man."

            Emmy nodded again.

            "Do you want me to write your mother?"

            "No I will do it," Emmy finally spoke.

            "All right," Aunt Iris was about to go down stairs "I am sorry this has happened Emmy, I never thought all this would happen."

            "I know but it has."

            Emmy wanted to climb into Laurel's bed as she had done when Laurel was first sick but knew right now all Laurel need rest and anything she did or say would just wake her up. But Emmy couldn't move away from Laurel's door. She took the chair Mr. Dumont had been sitting in and moved it right next to the door and sat there listening for Laurel to make any noise. As she was listening she fell asleep and that is where Aunt Dumont found her the next day.

            "Did you sleep here all night?"

            " I wanted to make sure I was here in case Laurel needed anything."

            "You are a good sister."

            "No Laurel is the good sister."

            "You are both good."

           

            "Mr. Foster is here," a maid announced.

            "It is not even breakfast time."

            "I know mam. I told him the house has not yet waken but he insisted on waiting. I put him in Mr. Dumont's study and got some coffee and some muffins for him."

            "That is very kind of you Sarah," Aunt Iris then looked back at Emmy. "I guess he should be told Laurel is too ill to see anyone."

            "Yes I will go down," Emmy said "Emmy tell him I will be down in ten minutes, I just need to change."

            "Yes miss."

            "Are you sure you want to go down, you look so ill yourself."

            "Someone has to and I fear Mr. Dumont will not express enough concern and you will express too much."

            "Yes you are right."

 

            It wasn't an important day but Emmy paid extra attention to how her hair looked, fixing any loose strands, she also adjusted her dress making sure the seams were in the right place. She checked herself in the mirror one last time before she headed down the stairs. Mr. Foster wouldn't care how she looked but she still thought it would be important for her to presentable. He became so worried at the dinner when she first told him Laurel was sick, now to tell him she was in a worse state she thought he would panic, and if she looked concerned it would only raise his worries more. No she had to look confident and calm. It would not be easy since all her emotions felt their complete opposite of what she had to convey. No matter what the doctor had said during the night Emmy knew something was not right. Laurel was the strong one, never getting sick or even tempting fat with sickness. Laurel was being quite the damsel in distress and that was not in Laurel's nature. This all made Emmy uneasy and now she had to push that all down to be composed for Mr. Foster.

            "Mr. Foster."

            "Miss Emmy," he said kind of surprised to see her."The maid said Miss Cromwell would be down shortly and I assumed it would be Miss Laurel."

            "I am sorry to disappoint you."

            "No disappointment at all."

            "My sister came down with a high fever in the night and she is still recovering."

            "Oh my. I am sorry to disturb."

            "My aunt is sending word that the dinner party we were planning is cancelled."

            "Yes, I wanted to see Miss Cromwell before you left and I know tonight would be busy and distracting."

            "Is there a message I can pass on?"

            "No, no message. I assume you will be in Boston a few more weeks."

            "Actually I am going to ask the doctor how quickly she can travel, I think Laurel would be better back home with mother, in her room and fresher air."

            "When does the doctor return?"

            "We expect him anytime?"

            "Well I will not keep you Miss Emmy but please let me know if I can be of any assistance."

            "Thank you Mr. Foster, your kindness is assistance enough."

            "Please Miss Emmy let me be of assistance, you and your family deserve much more than my kindness."

            "Will do Mr. Foster if I can think of anything I will write immediately."

            "Thank you." With that Mr. Foster left.

            Emmy did not stand in the room long before Sarah, the maid, came in to let her know the doctor had returned. Emmy nodded and told Sarah to him in and notify Mr. and Mrs. Dumont. Usually had just had was played over and over again but the doctor's visit took precedence. Emmy didn't hear Aunt Iris' hesitations of her going into Laurel's room, she going to be by Laurel's side no matter what. Laurel looked so small, it was a mix of her paleness and just how vulnerable she was at this moment and to be honest Emmy was not prepared to see Laurel look this way. She could not turn back though so she lifted her head higher and followed the doctor. Emmy tried not to get in the doctor's way staying off to the side but she watched him closely and when Laurel stirred she was there to hold Laurel's hand and tell her everything would be all right. The doctor was thorough and seemed to have a tendency to check things twice. Emmy felt as if he spent an hour in the room and with each passing moment Emmy grew more anxious, surely if Laurel had been fine he would just announce it, though Emmy knew Laurel was not fine. Finally the doctor repacked his bag and the left the room not saying much more than a few "hmms" and "umms". On the other side of the door was Aunt Iris and Mr. Dumont they could absorb anything Doctor Clark said and while Emmy thought of following the doctor she felt her place was by Laurel.

            "Oh Laurel you must get better. Promise me you will try," Emmy did not expect a response. "I cannot face this world alone."

            Laurel made no movement so Emmy just squeezed her hand tighter. She gripped it between her hands and kissed it repeating the words she said.

            "Emmy can you please come out here," Aunt Iris called Emmy from the hall.

           

            She got off her knees and adjusted her dress.

            "Yes aunt," Emmy said when she was in the hall.

            "Doctor Clark says that Laurel's fever is worse than he hoped with the medicine he gave her last night."

            "What do you mean?"

            "Well first it means you can't travel back home as you desire, but I do think we should your mother here in case the worst happens."

            "The worst?" Emmy took a deep breath. "Last night Dr. Clark said she would be fine."

            "I know dear but Dr. Clark said she has gotten worse. So I think your mother should be sent for. However, this news would be better in person than by letter."

            "You want me to go get her?" Emmy said reading into what her aunt was saying.

            "I can stay with Laurel and make sure she is well tended to."

Dear Mr. Foster,

            I have found need for your assistance much sooner than anticipated. As you know Laurel is sick, Dr. Clark recommends bringing mother to Boston, and Mrs. Dumont thinks it is best if I go to fetch her. However I cannot travel alone, I was hoping to impose on your generosity and ask you to escort me to Pine Haven and back with my mother.

Thankfully yours,

Emmy Cromwell

            Mr. Foster did better than escort her to Pine Haven he drove Emmy all the way back home.

            "Oh Mr. Foster what if something happens to her while we are gone?"

            "You must not think like that that."

            "I can't help it. Aunt Iris is sending me to get mother incase the worst happens. 'The worst' the words just echo in my head. The worst can't happen she is too young, and--" Emmy couldn't not say the rest of the words but she thought "I could not live without her."

            Ethan without thinking place his hand on hers. Emmy had never been touched in such away, it was completely unselfish, very tender and pressure was firm and somehow firm in a way that told Emmy not to worry even though her heart was racing a thousand miles an hour about all the "what ifs" that could not happen. It was not a romantic touch much more of how Emmy imagined an older brother comforting a younger sister. Emmy rested her head on the bench seat, she tried to close her eyes and sleep but she couldn't although she was very tired. Thoughts of Laurel passing away, thoughts of how she would tell mother how sick Laurel had become and every bump in the road kept her from truly falling asleep as much as she longed for it. Every time she closed her vision would flash back to her last sighting of Laurel, she was so pale and her looked a bit hopeless. Emmy had her promise that she would hold on till she got back she hadn't said the words "I promise" just nodded at Emmy's insistence. Emmy know if she would be able to ever erase that moment from her memory.

           

            "You needn't worry Miss Emmy, we will be back in Boston very quickly," Ethan said as if almost reading her mind.

            "Thank you Mr. Foster."

            The rest of the ride was in silence. Ethan did not force Emmy into small talk or anything of an idle nature. He also didn't use any generic comforting words  such as "It will be all right" as he knew these words would not actually comfort her at all. 

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. 

The Ball.

            The instruments announced the first dance was about to begin and Nicholas was soon at Kathryn's side to have the first dance. Kathryn saw Emmy dancing with Caleb and Julia dancing with a man she had not been introduced to. When she asked Nicholas if knew the man, he reported it was Mr. John Melbourne. A good man but rather a bore, "poor Julia," he laughed. After a few minutes of dancing Kathryn saw Brandon taking the dance floor with Laurel. No one in Kathryn's acquaints looked particularly happy with their partner minus Emmy and Caleb. After the first dance Emmy was asked to dance by Patrick Castellan, a boy Emmy used to have a crush on but he paid no attention to her until tonight. But after that was the waltz and Brandon James was quick to arrive at her side before any other caller could arrive.

            "Hello Mr. James."

            "Hello Miss Emmy, have you still kept this dance free for me?"

            "I have indeed."

            "I am glad, it seems like everyman here wants your attention."

            "It is amazing what a new dress and some hair styling has done." Emmy had been proper all night but since Brandon had proved himself such a dear friend she felt quite at ease. "No one in this town noticed me before tonight and now thanks to your sister everyone is whispering about me. It feels nice."

            "My sister should not take the credit or your beauty."

            "But she should."

            "Why your beauty already existed."

            "Mr. James, please don't go complimenting me. All night I have listened to false compliments and it has been such a bore do not ruin my night completely."

            "I was not giving you any false compliments."

            Emmy was embarrassed then by her inconsiderate words. "Oh Mr. James I am sorry. Until tonight I was invisible, no one noticed me, at least not for my looks, and now I am not sure how to handle it all. I guess I assumed everyone was being false to me."

            "Even if they were, I would never be false to you. If you think that, then we clearly are not friends."

            "Mr. James do not say that; can we not begin again? I promise this time I will take your compliment and be thankful."

            "Perhaps you are right Miss Emmy I was being too forthright and I could see how could sound false."

            "No Mr. James I was wrong, and now I have ruined this whole dance for us and the waltz is my favorite dance."

            "It was not ruined for me Miss Emmy," he smiled at her.

            They danced a little bit longer but then the song was over. Before Emmy could apologize once again for her words Caleb was at their side. He complimented their skill and joked at Brandon for not realizing how good of dancer he was. Caleb he said that he thought Brandon never danced at a ball because he couldn't. Brandon did not like the joking and made his excuses to walk away. Emmy wanted to go after him but Caleb held her back, he joked a bit more saying that Brandon had such sensitive feelings. Then Caleb swept her up in his arms and began dancing with her before she had a chance to be asked by someone else.

            The rest of the night was pleasant. Fiona stayed mostly on the side lines of the ball and was overjoyed at the warm reception Emmy got. She also enjoyed everyone whispering about Emmy. Usually whispers were not good for a girls reputation but tonight everyone spoke favorable of Emmy Cromwell people were astonished how lady like she looked and acted. People whispered how it was like she had blossomed. And every one noticed how Caleb showed generous amounts of attention towards Emmy. Fiona smiled at those whispers but Laurel also overheard the whispers and shook her head over how flirtatious Emmy was being.

            When Emmy was younger she would pace the floor and wait to hear Laurel's reports of the night. But now as she climbed into the motor coach she took a deep sigh of happiness thinking of all the stories she had to share. Everything about the night seemed like a dream, occasionally she would pinch herself to remind her it was real.

            "You did very well my darling," Fiona said sitting in the coach as well.

            "Thank you mother."

            "Everyone was talking about your poise, eloquence and beauty. The third one I knew well but even the first two were so well performed I was taken back I will admit."

            "I owe everything to Miss James she has been a wonderful coach."

            "Don't give her too much credit she was not talking for you or dancing for you."

            "Thank you but I owe her so much."

            "I found most of the night rather a bore," Laurel said climbing in.

            "Oh Laurel, if you were so bored perhaps you should have danced more," Emmy said.

            "I care little for dancing."

            "Laurel, I do wish you would cheer up. Perhaps Miss James is right?" Fiona said interrupting the little bicker between sisters.

            "Right about what?" Laurel asked.

            "Perhaps you should go to Boston get a new environment."

            "Oh mother that would be wonderful wouldn't it Laurel?" Emmy jumped up in her seat.

            "Miss James was thinking of having you two come to Boston after her honeymoon but my dear friend Iris is always asking for you to visit. And this night is more proof that you two should go to Boston and have some fun there."

            "Oh it is wonderful."

            "Well than it is set I should write to Iris and arrange a trip for you. Maybe a month or so?"

            "I don't know," Laurel sighed.

            "Laurel, don't you want to go to Boston. Isn't Mr. Foster in Boston?" This would be a perfect chance to see him again.

            "I do not prefer chasing after men Emmy."

            "It is not a chase just lucky coincidence."

            "Well no decisions have to made tonight but I think it would do you the world of good to see sights outside of Pine Haven. Both of you are old enough to travel by yourselves together," Fiona said. She silently questioned why Laurel didn't leap at the chance to go to Boston. Emmy was right Mr. Foster was in Boston so why did Laurel want to stay away. But Fiona knew not to ask any questions after she saw Laurel's face stricken with sadness when Emmy brought up his name.

            That night Emmy hardly slept a wink she wanted to capture it all down in her journal before she forgot a single detail. Her feet ached from dancing but she hardly cared as long as they propped up she would manage.

            The next morning her mother let her sleep in later than the normal breakfast hour but when she did make an appearance Gloria hounded her with questions. Emmy gave a vivid account of the whole evening from all the dresses to her partners and all the dresses to her partners and all gossips that floated around the dance floor. With each detail of silk embroidery or the use of feathers Gloria sighed with delight. With the talk of Emmy's partners of tantalizing gossip Gloria whined and wished she had been there. Emmy remembered what it was like to be in Gloria's shoes and promised her, her first ball would be just as wonderful. When Emmy and Gloria finally settled down Laurel was ready to move past the subject of this silly ball and with a huff said the ball wasn't even one of Mrs. Taylors  best but Gloria and Emmy hardly noticed her sour attitude. That day was pretty quiet as the household and most of the town rested from the Taylor ball. 

The Introduction

Emmy didn’t know Julia’s true feelings on her up coming visit and looked forward to seeing her cousin come again. Julia had wrote to Emmy about the gossip of Boston but she always wrote saying “I’ll tell you more when I see you.” At last her arrival would end the mystery of who Francis Jackson would marry. It gave Emmy such delight to discuss the people as they were characters in a novel and though she had never met them she them she tried to to imagine their future if she just changed one element of their lives.

Though Emmy craved adventure in her stories and maybe one day in her life. She knew she could not be without there mother, her sisters and her woods but wondered what it would be like to live like her cousin Julia, a young lady in society full of a town’s juicy stories. Always entertaining suitors and going to fancy parties to dance the night away.

“When you are old enough I’ll let you go to Boston.” Fiona would say when Emmy moaned about going to Boston.

“But Julia is only a year older than me and already been presented. Oh mother could I not go to Boston.”

“You will,” her mother kissed her on the fore head.

What her mother meant by “you will” was one day “when I see fit.” Emmy could tell with the tone she used. Emmy also knew it was a bad idea to push on the issue further for the time being. What Emmy really didn’t understand is why Laurel never talked about going to Boston it was if it was the worst idea ever. Surely in Boston Laurel would be the bell of the ball her look were far better than Julia’s and people would not judge her for being poor; she thought they would assume a cousin to the Danfords would be just a rich as they. But Laurel had no interest in leaving her mother or their house. She also seemed to care little for the fact that her cousins were coming and they were bringing a friend of Nicholas’, Ethan Foster, a class mate of Nicholas and a man growing in Uncle Charles’s firm from England and could not return home for the short season. And Emmy seemed to be the only one who found that interesting.

Grandma Danford’s health was almost renewed by the time Uncle Charles arrival came. She even made her way to the foyer to greet them but she thought the air would be too cold to wait for them outside. Emmy thought it was the most pleasant day they had had all season so far and ran to keep a look out. When she saw their convoy she ran back inside and announced their arrival.

“Heavens sake no yelling is necessary.”

“I am sorry Grandma,” Emmy lowered her tone.

“I would hardly call it dignified, maybe a summer with a lady of society like your cousin would be good. But I do hope you act better with your guest.”

“I am sure that is the last yell you will hear from Emmy,” Fiona said.

“I do hope so. Really Fiona if your girls should know how to behave, Laurel is good but if your relaxed ways continue Gloria will be a disgrace.”

“Emmy will behave just fine.”

“I do hope so we can not have our family disgraced.”

Emmy thought she was behaving just fine by not refuting any of her Grandma Danford’s words. And later her mother would thank her for it.

“Mr. and Mrs. Charles Danford,” Thomas said.

“Thank you Thomas,” Charles said patting him on the back.

“Your welcome sir.”

“Mother,” Charles walked in and kissed Grandma Danford’s out stretched hand. “You look more beautiful every time.”

“You are sweet but you are already the heir to my fortune.”

“Mother Danford,”Victoria said greeting Grandma Danford also with a kiss on the hand but she seemed more uncomfortable in the behavior.

“Where are the children?”

“Coming, Nick’s friend Ethan was following and I think they got separated,” Victoria said.

“What kind of driver loses another driver.”

“Ethan Foster, doesn’t have a driver mother,” Uncle Charles said.

“What?”

“Not everyone feels the need for a driver,” Victoria said sweetly.

“They should.”

“Mother, young people are more adventurous these days,” Uncle Danford said trying to laugh it off.

“Not another adventurous spirit in this house,” Grandma Danford said giving Emmy a harsh look that no one but Emmy noticed. However no one missed her next sentiment. “I have my hands full with no adventurous youth and I do hope Victoria your daughter Julia, so refined will be a good influence over her.”

Emmy looked over to Aunt Victoria she looked more embarrassed than Emmy felt. Emmy didn’t know why, what did she have to be embarrassed about her daughter was the talk of Boston for being a refined delight. Emmy couldn’t think of any one who would consider the Cromwell girls as refined delight. Laurel would definitely be considered refined and maybe in some circles Emmy would be considered delightful. Even as Emmy thought of the word as an adjective next to he name, she thought it would be use liberally as no one would dare speak ill of some one related to Mrs. Cornelia Danford. Emmy thought the word that would probably be used to describe her would be childish. One can not be childish and refined at the same time and no heroine in her own right would stand to be thought of as childish. Maybe Grandma Danford was right spending the summer with Julia would do Emmy good, Emmy thought.

These thought were broken by Thomas announcing Nicholas and Julia.

“Grandma Danford,” Nick said grandly sweeping into the parlor “may I present my good friend Ethan Foster from Harvard by way of Sussex.”

“Aw the man who has no driver.”

“Yes mam,” he said with a nod. “The drive is more enjoyable when one experienced every bump behind the wheel.”

Two things were certain, one he had a British accent and second he spoke his mind. Both were so refreshing, Emmy thought. No was to speak their mind in front of Grandma Danford, and no did minus this stranger.

The beginning

Pine Haven could hardly be distinguished from all the little New England villages in the vicinity. It boasted about how it was founded shortly before the Revolution and had many of its brave sons fight in that war and every war that followed. The new church was built in 1809 after the old church burnt down and its steeple stood proudly amongst the village built around it. At the other end of main street was was the school house built in 1850 with a green park around it. And that was the town of Pine Haven. Not very big but it boasted itself on not being changed by industry.

It is here where Arthur Danford brought his young bride Cornelia Danford in the summer of 1869 to escape the bustle of the growing Boston city. They had been married a year and Cornelia was expecting their first child and Arthur’s wedding present was finally done. It was built in an almost Gothic style with high pointed roofs and little gargoyles that protected the home. The house stood majestically as it was the largest house the residents of Pine haven had ever seen. Cornelia insisted it have the finest gardens in the county. Though Arthur hated to ruin the great beauty of the simple woods that surrounded his home he did want to please his wife. But Arthur did love his woods and when Cornelia was in labor the servants knew exactly where to find him, his woods in the spot where the little creek dipped into the property. It was a happy day when Charles Arthur Danford was born and it was another happy day when three years later when Fiona Rose Danford was born. Here in Pine Haven the Danfords had some of their best times spending the short New England summers here. Though it was a sad summer day nearly twenty-five years later that Arthur Danford walking through his woods suffered some heart problems and died before a doctor could be fetched. After that Cornelia didn’t want to return to the city she liked being where she could feel Arthur’s presence the most. Cornelia made sure his grave site was always kept clean even during snow storms and always had fresh flowers from her green house. She also made sure they buried Arthur in a little gated area in the back gardens near the woods so he could always be a little bit in his world and a little bit in hers. After Arthur’s death the Danford’s great house shut down, the east wing was completely closed off, servants came and went but no one from the outside saw the grand beauty and tender love the Danfords put into their home for quite some time.

Not until six or seven years later when Fiona returned home with her three little girls did any one dare ring the door bell. It was raining that day and the girls were soaked through when Miss Pembers opened the front door. The eldest, Laurel, then nearly ten tried to her hold her head up acting not bothered by the rain. Emmy, the next eldest tried to copy her older sister but was obviously miserable and the youngest Gloria almost two at the time clutched her mother’s leg wishing she could be held but her mother had two large large suitcases and the older girls had suitcases as well. It was obvious to Miss Pembers that Fiona was not making an unexpected visit and the next day all of Pine Haven buzzed about Fiona’s return. For most of Pine Haven remembered what scandal it had been when Fiona Rose, the only daughter of the Danford fortune had run off and married Jefferson Cromwell. She had completely cut off with out a cent and no communication between her and the family had happened since that day until Arthur’s death and even then she was not welcomed at the funeral. So to have Fiona standing at the door was quite a shock for the household and the town.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all began in the early summer of 1889 two or three day after Fiona turned seventeen. She has finished schooling at Miss Dobson’s school for girls being refined in homemaking, etiquette, French and English literature all the subjects thought best for a woman’s mind. She was considered a scholar in her school for enjoying her classes on art history and Shakespeare. She was also a highly accomplished student receiving high honors at her graduation and everyone at Dobson loved her as she was very mild tempered and always had a smile that lighted the room. Cornelia only thought it proper that Fiona be out in society to find a good match in a proper husband.

Of course to be entirely honest Cornelia had long hoped Fiona’s eyes would settle on Alfred Dumont. He came from a long line of money, his family was actually of royal blood before the French Revolution and they fled to America. Here they continued their wealth investing in cotton and the textiles but Alfred’s father had made a huge leap investing in railroads causing their wealth to surge to new heights. It would have been a great match and Cornelia had thought and hoped that Fiona could be persuaded. Alfred had been obvious in his attentions to her last summer when he came to visit with Charles and even over her winter break he let it be known to Arthur and Cornelia he intended to propose but he knew Fiona was still young and things had to go in proper order.

Fiona didn’t have her mind quite yet on settling down. She still wanted to see so much of the world. For the most part all she had known was Boston, Pine Haven Miss Dobson’s and brief visits to New York. She wanted to see the art she had been studying in real life and wanted to use her French that she had become proficient at. The world was too large and she wanted to see as much of it as she could. That is until she met Jefferson Cromwell at her presentation into society.

It had been a normal May the trees were in full bloom and in the morning there was still a hint of frost in the morning. But like most New England Mays the week before Memorial Day the weather changed to a glorious warmth from sunrise to sunset letting the residents know winter was finally behind them and the sun was here to stay. It was the kind of weather that let people know a fresh start was among them and the feeling that anything could happen was amongst them. Had Cornelia not been so wrapped up in the details of her daughters presentation she would have taken warning in the warm sparks of weather.

The Danfords had come to Pine Haven earlier than usual to prepare for their daughter’s ball and everyone in Pine Haven buzzed over the details of the dress, the guest list that including  the best names from Washington D.C. to Boston society, and everyone waited anxiously to see Fiona’s name and portrait in the society pages. Cornelia Danford had made sure it was in all the best papers in the country from east coast to west coast. She had made sure every one in country knew how grand and lavish their wealth was.

In all the preparation Cornelia barely noticed that Charles had come home with Alfred Dumont and his friend Jefferson Cromwell. Charles had planned for his friend Jefferson to be an escort for Fiona’s friend Iris Mitchell. But she had noticed the way Jefferson looked at Fiona when she stood on the stair case in her ivory cream dress with a tight bodice and a train the flowed at least four feet behind her. While Cornelia would have picked out a more elaborate style Fiona felt the subtle beauty of the dress was more pleasing. Everyone thought Fiona was as pretty as an angel and some even noticed how her golden auburn hair looked like a regal crown. Cornelia had never felt prouder of her daughter than she did right then but as she looked around the smiling faces she notices the glimmer in Jefferson’s eyes.

Fortunately Fiona was safe for the first two dances the first being with her brother and the next one with Alfred but by the third Fiona was in Jefferson’s arms.

“Charles, what have you done?”Cornelia pulled him aside.

“What do you mean?”

“Bringing Jefferson Cromwell to the party. Do you see the way her looks at your sister?”

“I can’t be blamed. Fiona begged me to bring a friend to escort her friend Iris Mitchell.”

“Then shouldn't he be dancing with Iris and not your sister.”

“You did a good job at making her the bell of the ball.”

“She is suppose to be with Dumont not with Cromwell.”

“Well then it looks like Dumont has competition,” Charles gave a joking smile to his mother.

“Do not joke Charles. Your friend Jefferson Cromwell could ruin everything your father and I planned for your sister.”

Little did Cornelia know it was was too late. In two dances Fiona had grown fonder of Jefferson Cromwell than she had any man. He had a wide range of interest but instead of telling her what to like and feel as most men had he asked for her opinion. Also Fiona had no problem conversing with Jefferson as she stumbled over her words with others. Fiona could tell he had a romantic and adventurous spirit with in him and a smile that made her almost weak in the knees. And half way through the second dance Fiona started to see her future in his sparkling grey eyes. They could explore the whole world together and enjoy the best things in life together. After the two dances Arthur cut in and Jefferson disappeared into the crowd.

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