After the Introduction

The next day Fiona let her daughter out of her room but only to the upstairs parlor because Fiona found the downstairs parlor too draft and would not allow Emmy to get a chill. Emmy hated the idea of being condemned to the upstairs parlor no one ever came to visit these rooms. They had been sanctioned for Grandma Danford use when she had callers when she had no energy to go downstairs. Emmy felt fine but if she argued her mother would make her stay in bed. No one would dare go in there so she conceded to the upstairs parlor.

            Gloria brought her some books to read and Cromwell girls alone enjoyed a quiet breakfast in the parlor.

            "How long is this new Mr. James to stay us?" Laurel asked with a tone of annoyance no one could miss.

            "As long as your Grandma will allow it."

            "Is it not  odd that Miss James is so freely allowed to invite whomever she pleases with no thought to anyone else."

            "This one day will be her home. I suggest you show her some kindness Laurel."

            "Oh I would never show her anything but kindness she is too good to be treated ill. I just find it odd that’s all."

            "Odd? That a sister would want to be around her brothers, they are obviously close," Emmy said trying to defend Kathryn.

            "The brothers seem close to the sisters both seem to worship her but have nothing to say to each other, I noticed," Gloria said trying to sound adult.

            "I meant it is odd," Laurel completed her thought "that Grandma Danford would allow leniency, I was not even allowed to bring friend over for the first two years we live here without her permission. And Miss Kathryn has brought two brothers."

            "Two handsome brothers," Gloria giggled. Then Emmy and Fiona joined her.

            "Really mother?" Laurel had a scolding voice as if she was the mother not the daughter.

            "What darling do not think either or both are handsome?" Fiona smiled at her to her lighten up.

            "No she has eyes for Mr. Foster," Gloria giggled again but no joined her as everyone saw the pain that flashed upon Laurel's face when Gloria mention his name.

            Gloria apologized but the girls sat in silence for a bit.

            Then Emmy tried to pull everyone away from the thought Ethan Foster by saying "I think if I spend the whole day resting I shall be well enough to give Mr. Caleb James a tour of the gardens and the woods tomorrow. I do hope it doesn't rain."

            "We shall see my dear, we do not want to risk you stay sick longer by rushing it."

            "But mother I feel fine."

            "I know and we shall see how you hold up."

            After that the four of them ate their meal in quiet. Then when breakfast was taken away Emmy settled herself onto the sofa with the books Gloria had brought up. She pretended to be content but she wasn't, she could not focus on her readings. All she could do was think of Caleb James. It was perfect, he rescued her, he was handsome, and he loved to read Keats. She could see them sitting in the library reading countless poems memorizing themselves in the written word and each other. Oh how wonderful.

            Hardly half an hour after breakfast a knock came at the door. It was too early for anyone to be calling and Miss Pembers would hardly let any callers come up to the upstairs parlor unless Grandma Danford allowed it. Laurel and Emmy were the only ones in the room and both were surprised when Caleb's head peeked behind the door.

            "No one answered, came in."

            "Oh yes Mr. James you are too kind," Emmy said adjusting herself to be properly seated.

            Laurel was surprised, couldn't Emmy tell she looked too desperate.  

            "I wanted to come by and check on the patient. I also wanted to bring you something to cheer you up," from out behind him he pulled out a bouquet of wild flowers.

            "Oh Mr. James you are too kind," Emmy gleefully gasped. "You must have woken up awfully early to pick all these."

            "Just before breakfast. I enjoyed the walk the gardens here are beautiful but the fields where I found these are excellent. I had forgotten how peaceful, just so tranquil it can be to have no one around and all you see is nature."

            "But you live you in New York, that must be a great city."

            "Indeed but sometimes I have found the hustle and bustle of everything can leave you lonely. Here even in the fields, you are not alone the birds and grass hoppers are there to amuse you."

            "I guess so," Emmy lowered he head.

            "Have I made you sad thinking that you that you have to stay inside."

            "No not all," Emmy attempted to smile.

            "I'll tell you what once you are better you can show me your favorite spots of this land."

            Emmy truly smiled Mr. Caleb James delighted her than most anyone else. He was pleasant to talk to and he seemed interested in what people said to be childish ways, but he called them imaginative. In the hour Mr. Caleb James spent in the upstairs parlor was the best hour of Emmy's life, she would write that later in her diary. Also during that hour no one really spoke besides Emmy and Mr. James. Fiona tried to insert some words but most of the time they were hardly noticed. But Fiona didn't mind and took to fixating on her needle point. Laurel was also pretending not to notice her sister's mindless chatter as she made out a shopping list for Miss Pembers but she couldn't help overhearing and thinking Emmy was being far too flirtatious.

            When he left said "Well done Emmy."

            "What do you mean?"

            "You have learned about his views on literature, art, and every aspects of his business."

            "He is so well rounded, why should I not learn every aspect of it."

            "But you have no interest in business and you have never look at a painting other than the portraits here."

            "Laurel, that is harsh," Fiona said to her daughter.

            "I may not have seen every gallery in the world but at least I want to. I don't want to be stuck in Pine Haven my whole life. I want to see the world and learn all what he is talks about."

            "Oh good he can be your tutor."

            "Laurel," Fiona snapped.

            "What mother? You cannot possible support the way she goes on with a perfect stranger."

            "Laurel, everyone will remain a perfect stranger if you never let them in," Emmy said. "Why should I hide all my feelings to someone so kind and genteel as he."

            "You just met him Emmy we know nothing of his true character."

            "And how do you go about learning of some ones true character? With quiet walks through the garden speaking of your dreams."

            Emmy had said too much and Laurel stormed off.

            "I do not know why not you insist on hurting each other," Fiona said.

            "I am sorry mother."

            "It is not me you should apologize to."

            "I will let her calm down," Emmy lowered her head.

            "Just don't let too much time pass so your anger doesn't control you," Fiona gave her a kiss on the cheek then left the room to check on Grandma Danford.

            "Well done Emmy," she thought to herself. "After trying so hard to be a lady. I will never be a lady I am a little girl and always will be."

            Emmy came down hard on herself the more she replayed the conversation. The only thing she could look back on from that day and enjoy was the times with Caleb James, the way he smiled with soft tan eyes that sparkled and the way his little chestnut curl fell out of place. He was complete perfection, she thought.

            She didn't know how to apologize for the comment about the walk was too much but everything else she felt certain she right about. Then another knock came.

            "Miss Emmy, it is I Miss James may I come in."

            "Oh yes do."

            "How are you feeling?"

            "Fine, mother is just be cautious."

            "Oh that is good to hear. My brother looks absolutely sick with worry over you."

            "He saw for himself I was fine."

            "Not Caleb, no Brandon is worried. It is so nice in how these few short weeks he has looked upon you as a younger sister. After all I have Nicholas to look after me I am not going to be needing Brandon's protection."

            "I would so like to have a brother, they both care about you so much."

            "Are you crazy I would love to have a sister. I guess Julia will be my new sister."

            "I guess we will always want what we don't have," Emmy said.

            Kathryn looked at her softly. "You are very wise."

            "Not I am not."

            "You might look at the world ideally but I bet you are wiser than you think you are."

            "Thank you Miss James."

            "Emmy as soon as you are better you shall wear one of my gowns to dinner. I can only wear one at a time makes no sense for them to be hanging around."

            "You are too kind. I could not accept Laurel would not approve."

            "How could she stop you if you came down to dinner dressed up. I insist, if my brother look at you as a sister why shouldn't I."

            "Well I feel fine now but my mother insist I stay down for the day."

            "Then tomorrow you will wear one of my dresses. I think the lavender will look wonderful."

            "Miss James, how can I thank you."

            "You don't have to. You have made my brother light up more than any one I thought possible, I am so thankful. Now Miss Emmy how can I thank you."

            Kathryn and Emmy talked on pleasantly for the next three hours as best friends. Emmy read her poems that she enjoyed and Kathryn played the square window that front of the window. The instrument was a bit out of tune but the girls giggled when a note was off. Fiona eagerly invited Kathryn to stay for lunch but she had to go with Aunt Victoria who was making a call on Mrs. Taylor who was going to be hosting a ball in fortnight and was desperate for suggestions. Victoria asked if Kathryn would come along to assist with the plans.