The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 11

Waverly did not see much of Nicole during her first year at Cambridge. They continued to correspond, but Waverly could tell, from the contents of her letters, Nicole wanted to move with a different set, a progressive group of so-called intellectuals, philosophers, artists and writers who appealed to Nicole's lust for all things new and exciting. She wrote of her mind having been opened by her new friends, careful not to give too much away, knowing the dangers of saying more than was necessary, with the possibility, the danger of her letters being read by those who might view her as a poor role model. Oh, but she had so much to tell Waverly.

If she wasn't studying at Cambridge she could be found in London, mixing with those who gravitated to Bloomsbury, a close-knit community, those who pushed the boundaries, those who discussed new concepts between themselves of how society might be, those who swapped lovers as freely as they swapped ideas. Behind closed doors, where the prying eyes and ears of the general public could not see or hear.

Waverly did her best to ask questions in her letters that might entice Nicole to respond. She would wait weeks for a response, only to find her questions largely ignored, or addressed in a way to suggest they were so far beneath Nicole's intellectual capacity it was not worth bothering with a full and complete answer. Waverly felt shunned, cast aside, a friendship with someone she admired, looked up to, now treated so frivolously. Carelessly, as if it no longer mattered. Then the letters stopped.

It was Edward who informed her Nicole was staying in Paris with an artist. He was visiting with a heavily pregnant Wynonna, who spent the entire time moaning at how uncomfortable she felt, Edward doing his best to help, Wynonna eventually deciding she would lie down to ease the twinges in her back. Edward stood by the window in the drawing room, lighting a cigar, pulling on it a few times.

"How long has she been abroad?" Waverly asked, putting down the book she no longer was interested in. "She said nothing in her letters."

"A few months. She intends to finish her course, as far as I am aware. Although, she seems distracted. I blame the circle of friends she has formed through Cambridge. Father's not at all happy, nor mother. All rather rum if you ask me. And, this Dora she's staying with."

"Is she happy?"

Edward turned from the window, gazing down at Waverly. "I believe so. She appeared to be when I last saw her. She was off to see Lady Ottoline speak at some institute or other in London, the name of which escapes me."

"She hasn't replied to my last letter."

"I will send you her new address," Edward offered. "It is unlike Red not to reply. Frightfully bad manners if she has done such a thing. I will mention it in my letter to her."

"No. I...I don't want to bother her if she is busy with other matters."

"No one is ever too busy to write a letter. It is courtesy to respond. She has a tendency to disappoint lately. Again, I blame those she has chosen to associate with. Rum fellows."

Waverly wasn't sure what Edward meant, deciding it best not to push for an explanation of why he thought the people Nicole was involved with were not suitable, in his opinion. Her mother rushed in, looking flustered, grabbing Edward's arm, saying something to him quietly, his expression changing to one of concern.

"What is it?" Waverly asked. "What's wrong?"

"I believe it's Wynonna's time. I've sent for the doctor. I had a feeling she was near. Oh dear, would you mind sitting with her for a while, she's asking for you."

Thoughts of Nicole were pushed to the back of her mind as she comforted her sister. When the baby finally arrived everyone rejoiced at the new addition to the family. A beautiful baby girl, a healthy weight with a mop of dark hair like her mother's and the most exquisite long eyelashes Waverly had ever seen. Holding her in her arms, her love for her tiny niece was unbounded, whispering to her she would play dolls and anything she wanted to make her happy.