The Way Back Home

Chapter Thirty-One: All I Need

CHAPTER SONG: "All I Need" by Within Temptation

Disclaimer: The song "So This Is Love" sung by Ilene Woods and Mike Douglas, written by Al Hoffman, David Pack, Jerry Livingston and Mack David. Copyright per Distrokid, Walt Disney Music Company

April 24th, 1917

Later that evening, Emmanuelle sat on the twin bed in the spare bedroom of Molly Satterthwaite's house, brushing out her long hair after her bath. She felt a slight chill in the air, enfolding her arms around herself despite the thick white nightgown she wore and the cotton stockings on her feet. She would need to buy herself a robe, at least while she was staying here...

The golden lamplight illuminated the small room around her, giving it a welcoming coziness that she hadn't felt in so long, yet she had felt a sense of apprehension from Will's beloved sister aimed at her for a majority of the evening.

Not that the older woman had expressed as much in words so much as with her occasional glances with her blue eyes in her direction when William wasn't looking. And Emmy didn't blame her. She was a stranger in the house and Molly had two children to take care of and protect...

And Emmy had still yet to ask about Mr. Satterthwaite, Molly's husband. She hadn't asked William, having a feeling he wouldn't want to explain such details on his sister's behalf.

As she contemplated on how she would approach Molly on that subject as well as the Englishwoman's true opinion of her, a knock from the other side of the bedroom door alerted her to another presence. She grabbed a woolen shawl from the chair in front of the small vanity and placed it around her shoulders to give herself some cover, wanting to keep herself somewhat modest.

Emmy opened the door to the sight of Molly standing in the darkened hallway, her silhouette giving the older Schofield sister a poise that made the American brunette feel hawkish and unappealing by comparison. She opened the door wider to give Molly access in case she wanted to come into the bedroom.

Molly was the first to speak before Emmy could form proper words. "I just wanted to make sure you were settled for the night, Miss Hunterson. Is this room to your liking?"

Emmy cleared her throat, looking down at the floor before meeting Molly's vigilant gaze. "Yes, it's perfect, thank you Molly. And please, call me Emmy."

She kept her voice to a low murmur, knowing little Cici and Elle were asleep in the other room next to hers.

"Very well, Emmy." Molly gave a half-smile as the lamplight in the room glowed upon her face, revealing a few freckles along the bridge of her nose, similar to that of Will's if anyone had doubts about their relationship as siblings. "While my brother is here as well, he'll be sleeping downstairs on the chaise lounge in the living area. And with my children here, I expect you to show an example of ladylike behavior regarding your physical bond with him."

Emmy held her head high as she held Molly's gaze, knowing exactly what she was referring to. "Molly, I know you've only heard about me through Will's letters to you, but please hear me out through my own words. I understand we just met today in person and you've yet to judge my character and you've your two girls to think about. I don't mean to compromise anybody in this house, especially your brother. He's been nothing less than a total gentleman to me and I'm the last woman in the world to deserve a wonderful man like him. For reasons I can't fathom, he returns my affections and we've respected one another's boundaries. I may seem like an unwelcome intruder in your home and you're entertaining me for Will's sake, but please don't presume to think that I'm some hussy he found from the streets because he got lonely back in France."