The party would not have to wait a week to see each other again. After church on Sunday Kathryn threw an impromptu party of dinner and cards. She invited the Cromwell sisters, Brandon, Nicholas and Julia. She also invited some of Nicholas' friends George Manfred and Leonard Hopefelt in order to even out the party. She said she invited Ethan Foster but he told her that he was previously engaged. Also Mr. and Mrs. Dumont could not attend as they had dinner plans but eagerly encouraged the girls to go on their own.
"How odd that Mr. Foster would not wish to see us," Emmy said when Laurel and her were alone.
"Kathryn said he had other plans."
"Surely plans he could get out of for such dear friends as us, well you Laurel. He must not have known we were part of the party."
"Do you not regard him highly Laurel?"
But before Emmy could get an answer Laurel walked away.
Emmy was able to get Kathryn a lone to inquire after Mr. Foster.
"Kathryn, do you know Mr. Foster very well."
"A little, he does not seem to socialize like other men of his fashion. He is Nicholas' dear friend though they seem so different but Nicholas and Mr. Danford always speaks highly of him so I take that as a good recommendation. Why? How do you know him?"
"He came to visit us for awhile before you came to see us, it was just for a few weeks but I felt Laurel and him had an attachment but we have seen no word from him since he left. Also a few days before your brother left Pine Haven, he mentioned that a Ethan Foster was engaged to a Sally Lawrence. I say 'a' Ethan Foster because I cannot believe it would be Laurel's Ethan Foster."
"As far I know I think Laurel and Mr. Foster would be a fine match if his aunt would ever allow him to marry. But I know nothing of any Sally Lawrence connected with him but he says so little when he is around me and men talk so little of their love lives but I will keep my ears on alert if I hear anything."
"Oh thank you Kathryn, you must not mention this to Laurel I would not wish her to know anything till we are absolutely certain."
"Of course not," Kathryn changed her tone to more of a somber one "I am glad you pulled me aside I received word from my brother he will not be able to come to Boston until the week before the wedding. I wish he would come sooner but he says he cannot."
"Kathryn you are so kind to tell me privately about this but I am not concerned."
"You're not?" she sounded a bit surprised.
"Do not get me wrong as much I would like to see him Aunt Iris has taught me some valuable lessons when it comes to relationships."
Kathryn kissed her on both cheeks then pulled her in for a hug."Miss Emmy you must know I so long to call you my sister."
"And I you."
Brandon over heard the last part of their conversation and knew then that Emmy Cromwell was still very much attached to his brother and that nothing had changed in Emmy's heart. Emmy was confused of why Caleb stayed away from her, he did not write her since he left Pine Haven. She told herself that his emotions were too strong that he could not handle himself around her. He was being a gentleman but separating himself from her before he crossed the line of impropriety. Emmy tried not to let her confusion and worrisome show as the night went on.
Fortunately for Emmy, Kathryn spent no more time discussing Caleb as Nicholas and Julia were next to arrive. As soon as Julia arrive the mood in the house changed. Julia pretended to be surprised to see her cousins again after short time apart. After the last summer with Julia, Emmy no longer bought her enthusiasm as genuine. It did seem to Emmy, Julia did seem sincerely happy even if she was not truly happy to see her cousins. Occasionally Emmy noticed that Julia would play with her necklace, taking the pedant in fingers and moving back and forth over the chain. When she did this she had a endearing look it looked as if she was guarding a little secret.
After dinner Laurel took to the piano and played some soft music, any one would think that Laurel took to the piano because of her strong love of music but she mostly loved the solitary it allowed. Most of the dinner was full of small talk and Laurel hated small talk. Also her dinner partner, George Manfred, jabbered on about all the important people he knew and Laurel could care less of the name dropping he did. Kathryn, Nicholas, Leonard Hopefelt and Julia were playing a game of bridge. Kathryn initially invited Emmy to play but Emmy had to admit she never learned that game and did not want to waste their time having to teach her. Kathryn gave her one of her charming smiles and told Emmy that she should come over for some lessons. Emmy was thankful to Kathryn but knew Kathryn was far too busy to teach her cards. Instead, Emmy found a book on the shelf that looked interesting and nestled into a corner in the couch. Every once and awhile Emmy would look over hear Mr. Manfred talking to Brandon. Mr. Manfred had discovered they knew some of the same people and had pulled Brandon aside to discuss them. Emmy looked over at Brandon, her had tried to be polite but it was obvious he was very bored. When Brandon noticed Emmy looking at him he would give her a joking smile. He was so different here, Emmy thought, in Pine Haven he was quiet and reserved and when Caleb was there he seemed almost hostile. At dinner he was very attentive to her and they had a lovely conversation about books he recommend Emmy to read. Emmy had found one of the books on the shelf and it is why she pulled it aside.
"Miss Emmy," Mrs. James caught her silently at Brandon "I do hope you reading is not a sign of boredom."
"Oh no Mrs. James I am not bored at all, I enjoy reading," Emmy said cordially.
"Well it is a good occupation of the mind."
"I think so." Then Mrs. James sat down next to Emmy and Emmy closed her book realizing this conversation would be awhile.
"Oh that is a great book," Mrs. James said but before Emmy could respond she said "I am sorry to keep you from it but you must all this old woman to be selfish, you don't always get a moment to have a long moment to have long conversation and I so want to get to know you better. Kathryn and Brandon had your attention at the teat that I hardly get to know the woman my daughter talked about so profusely. I know a lot about the Danford family they are one of the best families in Boston but I know so little about the Cromwells."
Emmy took a deep breath. She thought about the truth her father dying a penniless book publisher, her mother force to sale all their valuables to pay off his debts, and then moving to Pine Haven to live by the charity of their Grandmother. What would Laurel say if Emmy told Mrs. James the truth, a truth Laurel wanted to bury away.
"My father trained to be a lawyer, that is where he met my uncle, but my grandfather got sick so my father took over his publishing company."
"That must be where your love of books come from."
"Yes my father loved to read. He always encouraged Laurel and I have to read. Unfortunately he died before my younger sister was old enough to get his encouragement. But we continue on with his perseverance."
"Oh you have a younger sister?"
"Yes Gloria is almost twelve. She wanted to come to Boston with Laurel and I but mother thought she was too young."
"Oh I wish you mother had come I would like to meet her. I remember when Fiona Danford was presented into society she made the papers up and down the east coast."
"Yes my mother told me."
"But then she disappeared almost and I remember nothing about the wedding to your father."
Emmy took another deep breathing, how could she explain that her parents had eloped. Emmy knew it was not something people talked about. She used to think it was romantic but Laurel corrected her and told her it was a mark of shame.
"Mother and father wanted a quiet wedding."
"Kathryn wanted a quiet ceremony too but when great families come together Mrs. Danford and myself thought a lavish affair would only be appropriate. I am surprised Mrs. Danford allowed your mother to have a quiet ceremony."
Emmy took another deep breath as her eyes nervously searched the room.
"Mother are you making Miss Emmy uncomfortable?" Kathryn asked, she had sneaked up on the conversation. Now all the eyes of the party were on them.
"No, Miss James, we were just talking. Mrs. James wanted to get to know me better, she was asking me about my mother."
"Oh Mrs. Cromwell is divine."
"Yes I was telling Miss Emmy I remember where her mother was presented how she made all the papers up and down the east coast."
"Then she asked about my father." Emmy looked purposefully at Laurel who understood the look right away.
"Emmy, I am not feeling very well do you mind if we go home," Laurel asked pretending to look ill.
"Oh I am sorry Mrs. James we should head home."
"May I escort you Miss Cromwell and Miss Emmy," Brandon stood up.
"That would be nice," Emmy said.
