Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 2: Happiness

July 15, 1901

Dearest Bucky, 

I am mostly excited to hear the Brooklyn boys have started selling newspapers once again. My apologies for taking a while to send you a reply, much activity has taken place here at the manor. 

The Buckley family has stayed with us for many months now at the estate. William says they are here for business deals. We tend not to take too much interest in politics, which you surely can understand. Eric Buckley has taken quite a liking to Kendall, and it concerns me. She skipped out on an English lesson yesterday, and I have yet to confront her. I know she could never forget Spot, but, I am not so certain she is still in love with him. 

Write soon, 

Anthony. 

Anthony hands his letter off before standing up. He looks out onto the gardens from the parlor window to see Eric with Kendall watching the dogs play. He tapped his foot subconsciously as Francis finds him. 

"Anthony, what are you up to?" 

"It seems Eric has made a friend in your sister," 

"Are you insinuating he has ill intentions of her, or are you stating facts this afternoon?" Francis chuckles. 

"I am not insinuating a thing. I just question her feelings of him," 

"She is nearly eighteen," Francis says. "We should trust her,"

"You are right," 

They both turn to look out the window, trying to get a hint of what their lips were saying. 

"My father wants to convince your uncle to help the expansion of shipyards in Pennsylvania," Eric says. 

"Surely you aren't telling me this in hopes of getting me to persuade him?" 

"No, never," 

"Good," She chuckles. "Uncle William wouldn't take my opinion into consideration on business matters anyway,"

"I hope you have not grown bored of me, Miss Sullivan," He says suddenly. 

"Why would I ever grow bored of you, Mr. Buckley?" 

"I have stuck around for almost half a year, and I pray I have not bothered you," 

"You could never," She smiles. 

"I quite like you, Miss Sullivan," 

Kendall smiles, but turns her attention to Anthony's call. 

"Excuse me, Mr. Buckley, but, might I borrow Kendall?" 

"It's no problem," 

"I'll see you tonight," Kendall smiles with her lips. 

Anthony leads Kendall inside to the library, passing the rest of the group in the kitchen who were learning to bake cherry pie. 

"What could possibly be on your mind, dear Anthony?" 

"I want to know your thoughts on our guest," 

She crosses her arms over her summer dress. "Eric is a wonderful man, Anthony. Whatever you're concerned about is probably not an issue." 

"I just think you're rushing into things--" 

"I am not rushing into anything. Eric is my friend." 

"Look," Anthony says quietly. "Don't you think he desires more than a friendship? Are you sure you're ready--"