Brandon's Heart

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

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

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

            "The Queen of England?" Brandon smiled.

            "No."

            "Then who?"

            "Miss Emmy Cromwell."

            "What?" he said rather stunned.

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

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

            "I knew you would be."

            "What brings her to Boston?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

           

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

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

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

            "Yes Miss James."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

           

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

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

            "Yes just tired."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

            "Not at all Mrs. Dumont."

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

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

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

            Emmy blushed again at the thought of society wanting her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

            "You are much too kind."

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

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

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

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

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

            "Yes she is a delight."

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

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

            "Who?"

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

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

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

            "Who?"

            "Nothing important."

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

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

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

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

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

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

            "I still think you are being ridiculous."

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