4

My Very Greatest Friend Ember,

I am very happy to report that I am in love as well, so we shall not have to argue with each other about your wonderful sounding 'Just Edward' when I come home. But don't get excited just yet, I have yet to meet the man you have dreamed of me with for myself. But its this place, this place is like a dream. and I love it here. Of course I miss you, and my family, but I'm so glad that I took the chance of coming here and that this is the location for me to have adventures, before I come home and have to take on all the responsibilities that father has yet to give me.
I am also very happy to report that the lovely scarlet gown was too precious to put into the non-necessities pile I created. And I hope to wear it again soon. Perhaps to your wedding. Or some other big event.
Please do not worry about the bugs and nearly capsizing. I am still alive and have gotten used to the fact that bugs are everywhere. And you can't stop them. But the beauty of the islands makes the small critters everywhere endurable. And I suppose you could say that it adds to the ambiance of the lush islands.
Poor Mr. Rush! I feel terrible that he didn't have the opportunity to sweep you off your feet the way that Mr. Stone did. But since Mr. Stone has now taken to you and you to him, I'm sure that the second most eligible bachelor in London will have young ladies swooning when he walks into a room without you at his arm.
I can't contain the delight at your news of Edward! What a perfect way to meet and fall in love! It sounds like your wishes have finally come true. I think that all that was missing was a full moon to brighten the garden. I'll say it again, what a perfect way to find love!

Oh no! Its time for dinner, I forgot. There will be more to write in the morning after the suffocating air of dinner has passed. Goodnight!

Next Morning:
Yes. More and more to write after dinner. Well, shall I start?
Every morning I wake up and have a wonderful day filled with happiness because of my love for the thick green foliage of the rain forests. And ever night at dinner, I change my mind. Ah! The agony of a delicious foreign dinner. Yes, the dinner itself is delectable, but the company I am forced to keep is more then much less than that.
Let me give you a list of words to describe the company...
Humdrum.
My spirit is stifled by the insipid company I keep at dinner.
There is a party of four at dinner every night. Uncle Greggory, his partner Charles McKinley, and the American scientist a Mr. Bailey who called Uncle here, and to whom I am invisible.
Now, about dinner. No one but Uncle and Mr. McKinley speak to me. I run out of things to say. And I feel like I must say something to keep the entire situation out of the uncomfortable silence that squeezes its way into our conversations when nobody has anything else to say. If you were here I could at least not have to talk, and let you do it for me. Its tiring to have to speak all the time, almost non-stop through the three courses served every night. Maybe I should run away for a night and have a picnic by the cliff side observatory in silence. You are my very best friend, and my close second friend is silence, which never seems to want to stay by my side. Its exhausting to try and keep a conversation going. I don't know how you do it. When I went with you to all the parties and balls and other socializing events I always bothered you about talking too much, and made you leave early with me. I'm so sorry, an I promise I will never do it again. I now long for the days that you did all the talking, while a silent me stood behind you like a shadow. I can truthfully say that, those were the days.
I suppose you will want to know about the rest of the trip to the island, after what happened on the way with the people in the caravan who called me Narcissus, and the small town that I couldn't pronounce.
Well, nothing too extreme, but I don't have very fond memories about our arrival.
Starting at the beginning...
After leaving the town of a word I cannot say, our traveling conditions were upgraded to a very nice little boat to take us to the island, and a group of native horses to take us to our final destination. I don't know where those horses came from or how there was enough room on the boat for them, or how they survived the little craft, but they did. And I am now eternally grateful for their presence around our encampment like dwelling.
Anyways, when we finally arrived at the site where we would be living for the next while, Uncle told me that the scientist that had called for his assistance, with a certain project of his, would meet us later at the cliff-side observatory for dinner later that evening. And that I had exactly four hours to unpack and prepare for the meal. He also said that it would be best if I arrived there early. He said that Mr. Bailey did not tolerate any excuse for being late to an event. Then he turned and left me standing in the doorway of our newly built habitation, and started walking up the hill to where I assumed the observatory was.
I turned to explore the place that I would be living for the rest of our stay with great enthusiasm and in that moment was completely overcome by exhaustion. Our long journey was finally over for the time being, and I had time to recuperate. So before the weariness could completely take over my body, I sluggishly crawled up the stairs to find my room. And at the third door I peeked into, I was greeted with the joy of finding a place, that was mine, in which I could rest up for dinner. And with a renewed energy I ran up the the newly made bed and jumped onto the covers, ruining the work of whoever had taken the time to make it look nice, and fell asleep on the spot. Not taking time to notice anything about the beautiful room except for the bed and the window which was opened just a crack to let the cool breeze from outside cool the now occupied space.
I had the best sleep since leaving home, without dreams and deep. And when I awoke, I was invigorated. I had more life in me the I did when I took the first step of these long travels. I walked over to the window and looked out over the silent, and dark foreign land, and then thought about what I had just thought. 'Dark? I was supposed to do something...Oh no! Dinner!' I rushed up the the vanity mirror and made sure that after sleeping I was still presentable, then slammed the door open and almost flew down the stairs and out the homes entrance. In the time it had taken me to walk up the stairs, find my new room and fall asleep, I was up the tall hill and in the doors of the nearest building which I prayed was the observatory. As soon as I had passed through the mammoth doors I was greeted by a man whom I took to be a butler or valet of some kind who was quite young and good looking. When he saw the look on my face and heard my heavy breathing he immediately guessed why I was there. He took me to another set of doors at the end of a long and dimly lit hallway. I thanked him, took a deep breath, and entered the room.
I suppose that I should have knocked instead of imposing on the occupants conversation, but I was in such a big hurry that I hardly took the time to think of a way to put my apology. But I didn't so it was a much bigger embarrassment to me.
I walked into the room and received silence and a glare from a man I didn't know. And whom I took to be Mr. Bailey. I was somewhat prepared for the silence, but was taken by surprise by the glare. And was so shocked that I blurted "I'm sorry." turned, walked back out the door, and left. It was only when I exited the mammoth doors that I realized that breakfast had been almost nine hours before, that I had skipped lunch, that I had just given a terrible first impression to our host, and that now I had no dinner to eat. And dinner from now on was going to be an something that I would not look forward to for quite a while.
I had just stepped out of the light of the observatory when I gave a quiet sigh and looked up. My breath was whisked from my lungs and I couldn't take another one. The stars were absolutely beautiful! The most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life except for the time when Heath was teasing Sarah Fenton by tugging her braids and her father got angry and pulled him home by the ear to tell Father what he had been doing. I think that was the only time someone stood up to my father and Heath, the bonehead. I'm sorry, I'll finish now.
The stars, were obviously gorgeous. And I was compelled to just stand there and stare at them. So I did. I don't know how long I had been standing there, but I was startled out of the daze I had entered into, by a voice. The words spoken by the voice were amused and it seemed like whoever was speaking them was laughing at some unspoken joke, "How was dinner?" That was all they said, but it was enough to push me a little too far. I turned slowly turned around and without looking into the voices face, stomped on their foot. Then once again I turned, and ran down the hill as fast as I could and back into the house, up the stairs, and into my room once again, this time with angry energy burning within me, and that's when I realized that I had done something terrible, and that I should apologize, I also noticed how nice that vanity was.
Since that time I have tried to find out whose foot I stomped on, and I think I have figured out who it was, but my pride has kept me from apologizing. Also, I have only spoken to a numbered few outside of dinner. The rest of my time is spent around one of the villagers who I call 'Silla, a girl about our age who can speak our language, and time other then that is spent exploring.

I hope you are still doing well, and I'm so glad about the happenings in you life!

Your Stomping Friend,
Lavie

3

Dear Lavie,

This letter will be a sort of series of letters as over the past few weeks I have grown lonesome for your company and resorted to writing you even before I received your letter.

As to your letter, there is only one thing that is really bothering me. What do you consider the non-necessities? I do hope that you were not compelled to give up your scarlet ball gown. Heaven forbid! It is your best dress and I was so looking forward to the time I could show you off in it and see Madalyn's face match the green of her own old gown.

Other than the thought of you having to give up the "non-necessities" I am nearly horrified at the thought of the bugs, nearly capsizing, and the alpacas. I do hope you had sense enough to change into one of last years dresses and save your new things for a slightly cleaner environment. 

I am not so very fond of the name Narcissus and I highly recommend you ask them to stop calling you that. 

I must point out that it would be foolish of you to regret your decision of leaving as you are already there and may as well make the best of it. Although I miss you dearly and wish you could share in my joy of late. But I will let you hear the story in order and share in the ups and downs in order to fully appreciate the climax.

Two Weeks Ago (Probably about the time you received my letter.):

Dearest Lavie,

Oh how I miss you! Good heavens it seems as if you have been gone for years. Your house is lonesome without you and I rarely visit the old place. 

Father left two weeks ago and left me in charge of getting Mr. Rush on his way in the business. I pled with him before he left to change his mind but he was firm about the whole thing. I still whimper at the thought of him giving the business away. I am allowed to do as I have always done for at least the coming month or two but I have no desire to work my heart out on something I will soon have no part in. 

It is Sunday and I begin work with Mr. Rush tomorrow. I should have begun last week but I was ill and then I took the cowardly road and pled busyness for this past week. Mr. Rush kindly believed me and I have spent the majority of my time with the committee, working on the Winter Ball which is less than two weeks away!

So, I have lived this week in happiness, ever mindful that with each passing moment of bliss, I draw a moment closer to torture, terror and fatigue. 

It's not that I have anything against Mr. Rush personally. He is every bit a gentleman and bound to be a good enough businessman. But that he should be the one to have the business and me, who has worked so hard and for so many years, be left with nothing! That cannot be right nor fair. I only wish Father would see my point of view. But he is blind to my pleas and continues to write of his happiness in my good temper and the good way I have taken this. 

Oh Lavie... I wish you were here. We would concoct some wonderful, childish scheme to ruin Mr. Rush's career and before we could go through with it, we would be caught and sent to our rooms, gleefully aware that our secret letters and signs would keep us content for at least a week as our Father's attempt to discipline us.  Ah... the good old days. 

My mouth won't stay shut for all the yawns it keeps producing. Good night my dearest friend.

One Week Ago:

Dear Lavie,

Heavens forbid! I can't believe I have waited a whole week to write you. 

Monday went better than expected. I arrived at the office early in the hopes of catching Mr. Rush walking in late but he was there before me. He was such a gentleman all the day through and I begin to feel that working with him would not be such a punishment after all. As much as I tried to remember my promise to myself about proving him a nincompoop, I continued to be pleasantly surprised at his abilities.

Laves, you know we have talked countless times of a man's screwed vision of woman and their "frail nature". I still hold true to that opinion, but not all men are bad. I actually feel... capable, when I talk to Mr. Rush. He has been good enough to let me take the lead in most matters while he is still learning the ropes and yet he has shown that he is fully capable of taking over even at this early stage. 

I thought I would never say this, but I am not completely put out at the thought of Mr. Rush taking over. I certainly have not yet given up my hopes and dreams but I begin to see why Father was so convinced at this man's ability. 

The first few days working together, I tried my very hardest to find fault with Mr. Rush and even critiqued where it was not necessary but he took everything so graciously that I felt each time as if I had complimented rather than berated. 

Anyway, the days do go by rather quickly and that is one of the reasons that I have not taken the time to write you. I find it rather enjoyable to work with someone, you know, as a partner type. Father and I have done some things together in the past but we never worked on something so closely together as Mr. Rush and I do. It is just so much more enjoyable to actually be with enjoyable people while I work. 

The Winter Ball is next Tuesday and it is now Saturday. Mr. Rush has asked to escort me and I of course agreed. I am rather looking forward to it and to add to my excitement, Madalyn got a glimpse of Mr. Rush on Wednesday when he dropped me off at the committee meeting and she declared him the most handsome man she ever set eyes on. Half the committee agreed after her slightly exaggerated description of him. The other half said they would have to see him themselves to decide. Even if they do not declare him the most handsome, they are certain to vote him the most agreeable. 

Wish me luck!

The Morning After The Winter Ball:

My Dearest, Darlingest, Lavie,

Lavie!!! Leaping Leapfrogs! I wish you were here! 

We have often dreamed of the time we could huddle together in our bedrooms and tell deep dark secrets of our love life and now that mine is happening, you are not here for me to confide in!

But I will go back and tell you from the beginning of the night. 

Mr. Rush and I entered the grand ballroom and the entire committee glanced our way. I caught in some glances jealousy, some apathy, but most admiration. 

The first part of the night was good I suppose, but nothing in comparison with the time spent after the clock struck nine. 

At precisely nine o'clock, Mr. Rush asked me to dance and we stepped out onto the floor along with Madalyn and Theodore Moon, and a few other insignificant people. But before we were half way through the dance, the entire room seemed to freeze and all eyes turned towards the newly arrived couple. 

Madalyn's sister Narissa Johns was standing there, as awful as ever, and holding her arm was the most gorgeous figure of a man to ever grace this planet. Mr. Rush was quickly dropped to second in every girl's esteem and nothing could rid my mind of the image of that man. 

Every inch of him proclaims wealth and dignity and to add to that there is something so suave and debonair about him that it caused even my knees to go weak. His strait, light hair gives him just enough playfulness that, as perfect as he is, he is not unapproachable. 

As soon as the dance was finished, I searched the room for a sign of who I now knew to be Mr. Edward Stone. He is a friend of Mr. Johns and as Narissa is his daughter, Mr. Stone must have felt obligated to escort her. 

My search was in vain, as was every other girl's in the room and soon Mr. Rush got back a little bit of the attention he had been privileged with the first part of the evening. 

Seeing Mr. Rush in the good hands of three girls from the committee, I allowed myself the luxury of some night air out on the veranda.  You know I usually avoid the veranda, as it is the gathering place of love-sick couples and oversized ladies in need of more room than most.  But I made an exception and soon found myself near the Rose Fountain. 

I could not stop my mind from wandering to the romantic image of Mr. Stone and when he appeared before me, I had a hard time convincing myself it was not still my imagination. 

He introduced himself gallantly, in a voice that perfectly matched his already perfect image in my mind. 

He already knew who I was and explained that the talk in the ballroom could not keep him ignorant for long. I blushed and gestured for him to join me. 

We said things that would seem normal to a listening ear but Laves, there was so much behind those simple words. He would touch my hand as we laughed about the color of Jenna's gown and the ribbon along with it and soon I was so comfortable with him it seemed I had known him years. 

We adjourned to the ballroom and I was giddy with happiness as we danced. I forgot all about Mr. Rush for the rest of the night. It was all Edward. 

Edward arranged to take me home and soon we were walking the short distance. The night was chilly but clear and Edward lent me his coat to go over my own. I don't recall exactly what we talked about, but it was wonderful nonetheless. 

When we got to my place, he thanked me profusely for such an enjoyable evening and saving him from having to endure the company of Narissa all night. 

"Ember," he said. He looked down and began to look so beautifully uncomfortable. "may I have the pleasure of calling on you tomorrow evening?" He  looked up hopefully.

"It would be an honor Mr. Stone."

"Edward." he quickly corrected me with a smile. "Always Edward."

I nodded and he kissed my hand before gloriously skipping down the street. I went in and it took me hours to fall asleep. I expect Edward sometime later this evening and I can hardly contain myself. 

I sent Gerald with a letter for Mr. Rush informing him that I was taking the day off. I intend to spend all day preparing myself for what is certain to be a glorious evening!

Present:

Laves, 

Now do you begin to understand my joy? Edward called on me that night and every night since. He has also taken me around town in his splendid white carriage and he has already asked to escort me to the Christmas Party. 

Father has not yet returned nor will he return for another two weeks. I simply cannot wait for him to meet Edward. Or for you to, for that matter. It seems I have known Edward so long and yet you have not even met him. 

Oh dearest Lavie, just wait, you will love him and we shall have to fight over who gets him. He is everything I ever dreamed of. 

Don't get too comfortable on that island of yours, you may need to come home to help me plan my wedding. We of course won't wait too long, but I also don't want to rush into things. Can you imagine the talk that would create? Although, if it were just me, I would marry him tomorrow!

Your Dearest Friend,

Ember

2

Dearest Ember,

I am starting to think that my decision to come to South America was a rash one. Its unbelievable how many bugs there are! And how long it has taken us to get even a quarter of the way to where we are supposed to be. Or to where we were supposed to be a week ago. I shall tell you all about it in just a moment, but first I must sympathize with your situation.

How could your father ever have done such a thing? He is a great man, but to crush your hopes of becoming respectable businessman, or rather a woman, as a lady. How dare he. I am so sorry for leaving you to deal with something like this alone. I wish I could be there to help you through it, or rather to keep you from doing whatever I'm sure your planning right now. Or were planning after you sent this letter. You have to tell me what you have done. I truly hope that it wasn't too drastic.

Now, on with my adventures. The boat ride over here wasn't too miserable, just long and dirty, and we didn't have any encounters with storms large enough to capsize us. Just large enough to soak us to the bone. When we finally arrived in Venezuela, my first action was to take a bath. Uncle had no objections, as I was quite a sorry sight and he had some business to take care of before we started off to the the islands of the Dominican Republic, where we are to meet with the American scientist that called Uncle in. I believe his name is Mr. Daniels.

Anyway, back to the story. After I had cleaned up and no longer smelled like a wet dog, Uncle found me, and told me that there had been a problem with our ride over to meet the boat that would take us to the islands. We were now to ride with a caravan and use alpacas, which are quite similar to llamas, to carry all of our items. And since the alpacas cant carry too much weight, I had to leave some of my non-necessities in Venezuela. When the time finally came for us to leave, almost half of the things I had brought with me to South American had been sold, or just left behind.

The caravan was much more comfortable then the ship ride over, but it was strange. Nobody called me by my name. I knew that they could say it, but the called me something else. They all called me "Miss Narcissus." Do you know who Narcissus is? I don't know who Narcissus is. Maybe it was just my name translated or something. And that is the extent of my adventure in the caravan.

We are now in the town of a place that I cannot pronounce, and are to be departing shortly for the islands. I am going to send you this letter before we get there because I have no patience to wait like you do.

Good Luck With Everything!
Miss Lavie Brookes

P.S. I didn't address the topic of the ball or your lovely sounding dress, but I wish that I could have seen you in it! And I hope that you had loads of fun at the Ball!

1

My Dear Miss Brookes,

As I am certain you would not intentionally harm me in any way, I feel it my duty to forgive your neglect. But South America? What has crept into that innocent head of yours? 

I have forgiven the time you abandoned me in Germany and heaven help me if I have not quite forgiven the time you visited Spain the summer I was forced to spend with my Aunt Gertrude. But what could possibly have enticed you to go to South America? 

I have of course gleaned every possible bit of information from that bone-headed brother of yours, but I see in his explanation not one hint of the explanation I am looking for. Since when have you had the slightest desire to go galavanting off in search of anything remotely scientific. I admit there has been a time or two that you have mentioned your Uncle's ambitions and "dreams" but I would not have thought it possible that you took any interest in his studies. And now on a whim you join in his work and head off to the Amazon. Dear girl, do you not know what dangers that forest holds for a girl of your stamina? 

But I suppose you know your own limitations and it is not for me to judge if you think you have the spirit and strength to go searching for treasure or whatever it is that eccentric old uncle of yours thinks he will find. 

But I must say that your timing is inconceivable. Right before the Winter Ball and our annual Christmas Party. We have not missed a year planning it together and I think you are a rather poor sport backing out on me with no official resignation from the committee. 

There, I am done criticizing your faults. I suppose I must wait for one of your generous letters and judge the situation when I am better acquainted with it. 

I have just returned from visiting my horrid Aunt Gertrude in Leeds. The only consolation I get from these trips is the wonderful array of fabric Father allows me to pick up on the way. Really dear, I don't know why you so stubbornly refuse to join me on my visits. I admit there is little else to do there but I should think you would find sufficient enjoyment in my company. But with your running off half way across the globe, I don't suppose I know you as well as I had thought. 

I found the most delectable shade of green silk. It was a bit pricey but even Father couldn't refuse me when he saw how perfectly it matched my eyes. I am having it cut into the most beautiful gown this end of London has ever or will ever see. I intend to wear it at the Winter Ball of which I have to remind myself you will be absent from. 

I realize that there is no end to my complaining of the tireless hours I must spend with my Auntie while in Leeds, but I was given a small bit of incentive to make my stay a fortnight longer this time round and I couldn't resist. Do you remember that dear American girl the Greer's so kindly allowed in their home three summers back? Well, she has made a return visit and brought with her the most attractive and entertaining fiance. I say, I wouldn't mind snatching one of those American men for myself. They can be so shockingly vulgar and delightful all at the same time that I hardly know whether to laugh or cry. But it made my stay all the more exciting and that is why I simply had to stay longer. 

I got to take June (the American girl) all about town and I must have spent half my dowry on new gowns and shoes. I bought the most splendid pair of boots. You would have had a heart-attack at their bright red color but I simply couldn't resist. 

I could go on and on about my delightful adventures but it is not nearly the same as telling you in person. We will both have to wait until you return and I dare say you will have wonderful things to tell me yourself. 

Forgive me dearest if my writing is a bit shaky in this letter. I have not yet arrived in dear old London and this horrid train is hitting every bump and turn along the way. 

Father returned home two weeks back and will be sending sweet Gerald along with the carriage. His last letter hinted at some changes in the business and you know how I abhor him changing things without my supervision. Sometimes I feel as if the whole thing would collapse without me constantly keeping an eye on it. I love dear old Daddy but I cannot wait until the business is wholly mine and I won't have to worry about his dear heart giving out with the strain of business matters. Before he left Leeds I made him promise to speak to Mr. Jennings as soon as possible and fix up any little loose ends with the business deed. But I have no fear that the whole thing will come out well and I will soon be your dear friend the Business Woman. 

As letters take awfully long to reach South America, I will postpone sending this and wait until I can give you the full details of my taking over the business. Oh dearest friend, can you believe it? At long, long last I will be doing something! To Rome with all the balls and festivities that I endlessly speak of! And to high heaven I go with business!

One Week Later:

My Dearest, most loyal and trustworthy Friend,

Your betrayal to me seems but a small thing in comparison with what I found waiting for me at the end of that blissful train ride. 

As I made my way past the crowds of people and luggage, I was greeted by that dear old man Gerald and he took my things and seated me inside the carriage. I sank back into the upholstered seat and drank in the remaining moments of peace before I would be forced to take over my daily roles as mistress of the house. 

When we were nearing the Bernard's old place, Gerald called down to me and apologized for the delay but the master had asked that he pick up a young gentleman on the way back. 

I was a bit annoyed as I was quite anxious to get home but I relented and we pulled up to a spacious and well kept street lined with cozy little apartments. I had no idea who Father would wish to associate with in such a part of town but I was soon to find out. 

Gerald opened the door and in came a well-groomed young man of about twenty-five. I noticed first off that he had a pleasant spirit about him and was rather keen to smile. He nodded his acknowledgment of me but we remained silent as Gerald climbed atop the carriage and started off. In the silence I took in what I could of this man's appearance without looking too conspicuous. 

He is a bit above the average height and has a strange sort of authority about him. Not one that would awe you or make you feel the slightest bit inferior, but more an authority that comes from confidence in ones-self and ones actions. Mind you, these were first impressions. 

His hair curls just the slightest bit around his face and when he smiles one side tilts up more than the other and forms the perfect dimple. His eyes are a deep brown but not the sort of brown that gives one the shivers. All together, his face is perfectly honest and wonderfully put together. And his voice only confirms the aura about him. 

He started the introductions, as a gentleman rightly should. He tipped his hat slightly as he spoke and gave a sort of half-formed smile, while his voice lilted in a way that made me think of our trip to Ireland not two summers back. 

"Miss Kellaway, if you will allow me the pleasure, my name is Samuel Rush." My expression changed from slight confusion to full comprehension at the name and he nodded his head. 

"My father has told me a great deal of you Mr. Rush." I was most definitely friendly and he relaxed back against the seat after releasing me hand.  I am sure you remember the Mr. Rush that Father was so good to tell us of almost too often. I believe Father hired him almost a year ago and he has been working abroad ever since. 

I inquired as to where he has been working and he told me of business but I will not bore you with the details. 

"What brings you to London Mr. Rush?" 

He smiled affably and then raised his brows. "Your guess is as good as mine Miss Kellaway. I arrived almost two weeks ago and still Mr. Kellaway has told me nothing of why he sent for me. But perhaps today is my lucky day." 

At this Gerald pulled up to my dear old house and lifted me down. I had a sudden urge to rush for the grand door and throw it open where I knew I would find my daddy waiting with open arms as he has been all my life. But I resisted the childish urge and behaved myself. 

Mr. Rush took my arm and we walked slowly to those grand doors that I long to see every time I have been away from  home longer than a week. 

Father was there to greet us with open arms and I wasn't the least bit embarrassed when he fully embraced me and left poor Mr. Rush standing there unsure of what to do. But he eventually welcomed him, though not in the same way, and we were made our way to the small front room where Father prefers to meet with good friends. 

As much as I wanted to stay and be with Father and silly enough as it may sound, Mr. Rush, I excused myself to go to my room and spent a good hour unpacking my own things and relishing in the feeling of home. 

It was dinner time when I saw Father again. Mr. Rush had left and we sat down to a grand meal all to ourselves. You would not be interested in the majority of our conversation so I will only tell you about the important stuff. 

"Father, as much as I enjoy conversing about the King's poorly gate keeper, you have kept me in suspense long enough. Please tell me what you have been beating around the bush at all night."

For indeed, he did seem rather nervous and nearly every time there was a lapse in the conversation he would fiddle with his left sleeve, which is not like him. 

He smiled rather uncomfortably and shook his head. "Nothing m'dear. We'll talk later. You must be exhausted." I shook my head to show that I was not in the least inclined to do anything but talk at the moment but he was already standing and bidding goodnight. 

I again shook my head but this time in confusion and I was soon left to myself. Father can be so stubborn that I had no thoughts of pushing the point. I did go up to bed and found that I was more tired than I had initially thought. 

Father was busy as usual the following day and we did not see one another until late. I was in the front room and he came to join me, this time with a little more confidence and I was certain he would tell me whatever it was he was going to tell me. But my hopes were disappointed and we went our separate ways after a few minutes of trivial conversation. 

When I descended for tea the following day, I was surprised to find Father home and with him Mr. Rush. I fixed my dress and went in. 

It was clear at a glance that Father was happy and that was a great relief to me. I had been so worried that what he kept edging around was something bad that I had hardly slept the night before. But what did disturb me was the look that came upon his face when he saw me. A shadow passed before his eyes and I couldn't help but feel the urge to leave so that I could see him happy again. 

They stood and greeted me with due respect and Father urged me to take a seat next to him. I did so and arranged my skirts to their best advantage. 

Mr. Rush mentioned leaving but Father insisted he stay and he was soon seated again and talking in an animated manner with Father. I listened a while with the utmost interest but I won't narrate what was said as I am certain you would have no interest. 

The conversation eventually lagged and Father took a deep breath and turned to me. 

"Ember," Mr. Rush raised his eyebrows at the name and I gave him a slight glare out of habit. "As you know, Mr. Rush here has been working for me for almost a year now. He has accomplished some wonderful things and I am certain you would agree with me when I say he is one of my top employees."

I nodded my head and urged him to go on. He turned his face away but still addressed me, sounding more nervous than I have ever known him to be. 

"I have decided to make some changes around the business that concern you. I know you have always intended to take over the business when I retire next year, and up till now I have had no problem with that. But... some things are meant for men and others for women. I am in no way disregarding your abilities in business m'dear, but Mr. Rush has many of the same abilities and to add to all that he is a man and well... To make it short, I have asked Mr. Rush to take my position in the company when I retire." 

The smile on my face froze as did every function of my body. Father glanced back at me and I simply stared at him in astonishment. Mr. Rush looked terribly uncomfortable and wouldn't make eye-contact. 

I stood abruptly and left the room. What else was I to do? Father had chosen his battle ground and it had worked. I simply could not make a scene in front of Mr. Rush. I was fuming with rage but there was little I could do to release it. 

I grabbed my own coat and stomped out into the chill autumn air. I walked for some time until I wasn't certain where I was but luckily enough for me I soon spotted your home. How I longed to rush in to you and tell you of my troubles! If only you were here to comfort me. I have not been able to bring myself to speak with Father since. I actually sent a note home saying that I was spending the night at your place. No one minded of course and Nurse Gemma was awfully good to me. 

Oh dearest, dearest friend, what am I to do? Father has taken away from me the one thing that actually meant something to me. I have worked so very hard to gain his trust and convince him that I could do as good as any man with his company. But all in vain!  He has given it away to an Irishman! (Mr. Rush is originally from Ireland.)

But I weep these tears all in vain. I must do something or I will die!

Father is leaving in the morning for one of his lengthy business trips and this time I am not to go with him. Though I find solace in knowing that Mr. Rush is also not to go. But that small piece of solace is completely obliterated in the request Father has made to me. He has asked that I spend whatever time I can in coaching Mr. Rush about our business afairs. As if anything could be more humiliating! Not only does Mr. Rush now know how deeply this has hurt me, but now I personally have to teach him the in's and out's of the company that was so close to being mine. To think that Father would hand the business over to someone who has only newly come into the business when I have grown up bartering and selling my entire life! As if Mr. Rush even knows the price difference between a shipment of lace from the West Indies and a shipment of silk from India. 

I am totally and completely disgusted. 

I suppose I will simply have to show my dear old Father what a nincompoop he has put in charge of his dear old Kellaway & Keets.  

 Oh dearest, did I tell you that old, old Mr. Keets has finally passed away? We all expected it of course but it is so sad to have one's friends die. He has left his share of the business to Father and so we have no need to worry about working with a new partner. He was a good old soul but frankly, I am surprised he lasted as long as he did. After all, he is nearly twenty years older than Father and Father is no longer a young man, or even a middle-aged one. 

 I am determined to feel indisposed for the next week at least and then I suppose I will have to start working with that despicable Mr. Rush.  Wish me luck!

   

  Your Dearest Friend,

Ember Kellaway

Prologue

In ancient times, a heroin known as Pandora began her quest to become one of the gods. She befriended the goddess Artemis and became her closest confidant. As she overcame the tasks required to become a goddess she met a selfish, vile man who went by the name of Antonio, and whom she fell deeply in love with.





As she completed her heroic acts, she was offered the elixir of the gods to make her immortal. But she was torn between her love for her new friend Artemis, all good she could do for the people of the world as a goddess, and her love for a man who only contributed nothing but a dark disease to the world.





In the end, she chose to live a mortal life so she could be with the one she loved.





Artemis was sorrowful at Pandora's decision, but she understood the want for a small amount of mortality. And so she gave her a gift of great power. A box. A box that possessed the ability to turn its contents, whatever they might be, into something immortal. So Pandora was given the box and felt such a great love for her greatest friend, the world, and Antonio, that she put her immortal love into the box, and left to be with her love.





A few years went by and Pandora had no contact with Artemis, as the gods were not to interfere with the lives of mortals. And she had been living contentedly with Antonio who treated her between poorly and fairly. But she was happy to be mortal and was at peace with her choice to stay that way, until the day when she found her lover with someone else.





She ran as quickly as she could to get away from her betrayer. She ran to her home and found the box and ran to a secluded place where she poured all of her heartbreak into the box. But the box needed balance and it took her hatred along with the pain, because her love had been greater then only her heartbreak.





After this had been done, Pandora was left with nothing. She could no longer become an immortal, Artemis wasn't allowed to have any contact with her, the one she loved was the object of her now immortal hatred, and she had no reason left to stay in the world.





Artemis watched from afar as her best friend began to die. Her heart ached for her dearest friend. She did not want to see her friends time stop and watch the world go on without her. She was still needed. She still had a purpose.





As Pandora lay down on the ground, face dirtied by her tears and with the box wrapped in her arms, a tingling sensation started in her toes. It started moving up her body, towards her head. It wasn't unpleasant, just strange. Then she realized what was happening and closed her eyes and wept for the gratitude that she felt for the friend who had not forgotten her.





Artemis looked up at her friend, who was now a beautiful, strong, grand Weeping Willow tree, and smiled. But, the Willow could not be left here exposed. It needed protection for itself and for the immortal box entwined within the roots. She smiled bigger, she knew just the place.





Artemis could have spotted the O'Henry's pure joyful aura from one hundred miles away. This place was perfect. Ireland. The O'Henry clan.





Happiness was in the air as Artemis stepped out from the dark trees. She stood on the outskirts of whatever the O'Henry clan was celebrating this time, and waited until Roiben, the leader of the clan, spotted her and headed her way.



She stiffly explained about the great tree and the box's possessions, and told him she needed a safe place for the tree to reside. She did not ask, because it was against her nature to be kind to mortal men, but she needed the purity of this clan to protect her dearest friend until the time came for the box's contents to play into the world, so she told him what she wanted as nicely as she could.



He directed her to the place at the top of an overlooking hill and told her to put it there. She thanked him and walked up the hill where her friend would spend the rest of her life and hoped that one day a person would find this tree and be worthy to bear the load of the immortal box. As she left she smiled knowing that she didn't need to hope. She already knew.



When the Irish people found the tree in the morning another celebration occurred, for they had been gifted with this magnificent tree from the gods. And plans were made to build a temple around it to magnify the glory of it.



Artemis smiled and went back to watching the world, but always keeping an eye on the Willow. And always listening.



After a couple more years rumors started surfacing about an object said to possess a great power. And object called Pandora's box. Where the rumors started she did not know for certain, but she could guess. Pandora. Out of all the things she could have written in one of those blank paper books. She guessed that Pandora had written of the box, but had never mentioned what was in it, and of course when Antonio had come to her house looking for anything she might have left that was worth even a small coin, he had found the book.

She sighed at the trouble it was to have mortal friends and went once again to Ireland.



As she arrived at the the Temple of Willow, she checked to make sure no one was around before pressing her hand to the tree and with a whispered 'sorry' a circular indentation with ridges covering the middle of it in intricate designs appeared in the bark. She stepped away from the tree and walked out of the temple and kneeling pressed her hands to the ground. After a moment the ground started shaking and the tree slowly started sinking into the ground. After the tree had sunk fully into the ground the stone temple started shaking, the roof collapsed on top of where the newly formed hole had been only moments before sealing it up, and the stone pillars crumbled.



Again she walked into the temple, which she had just collapsed and placed her hand on the ,somehow, whole roof creating the same circular maze in the stone as she had on the tree.



Once this was completed, she stood up and brushed her hands off. And headed for the head of the O'Henry house hold to explain the crippled appearance of the temple and to give a gift, actually two gifts to the young twins of the new leader for the O'Henry clan.



As she left the house and walked into the comfort of the dark trees she sighed "Now, for those rumors..."



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The twins were extremely surprised at the unknown visitors gifts to them. Lilliam the younger sister was sitting in a large wooden chair in front of their big fireplace holding the pocket sundial by its chain and with an intent expression was watching it spin slowly in circles. The elder sister Narcissus, watched as the shiny gold object captivated her sister. Something was wrong.

As the years went by, Lilliam's fascination with the sundial turned into more of an obsession. She carried it with her at all times, sometimes going into town and boasting of the golden object given to her by a mysterious stranger the same night as the temple had been destroyed. She would show it to the curious people and smile proudly. Then she began being suspicious of the curious people, and at first no one was allowed to touch it. Then as she grew more protective, she wouldn't let anyone ever see it, not even Narcissus. At the point when no one was allowed to even think of it, Narcissus who had been carrying the match to Lilliam's sundial, sent hers off to a secret location which would keep it safe from her sister who now wanted the twin to her sundial.

Little is known about what events occurred next, but it is known that Lilliam was so furious with her sister sending away her golden sundial that she left to find it. And never returned to her home........