An American Promise (Book 2)

Chapter 10

"Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They're underused"

-Tommy Lee Jones

Emilia and Samuel spent the rest of the afternoon together, discussing events that had happened to them while they had been separated. From what Emilia understood, her brother had kept to himself since his wife's death, caring for his daughter and generally avoiding society. He had learned to adapt to his new surroundings quickly. Emilia felt a swell of pride for her brother; despite his unhealthy past he had learnt to build himself a life with a decent job and respectable habits. He had clearly become more ambitious of late and had learnt that his head could be used for thinking, not just to hold a pretty face.

They returned to the inn to dine before parting ways, Emilia saying that she would drop off Jane at half past seven the next morning.

"I'm awfully happy Uncle Samuel is here," Emilia said, changing Jane into her nightgown. Jane said nothing, wiping her eyes and falling into bed when she had been changed. "Sit up Jane, I need to brush your hair," Emilia frowned but Jane just rolled over, burrowing deeper into the blanket. "Jane what's the matter with you today?" Her daughter just humphed however and just yawned loudly, turning onto her side. "Jane," Emilia bit her lip to keep from loosing her temper; Jane had been acting off lately. But who could tell with two year olds? Oh why didn't governesses teach this kind of thing? It would prove more useful now than how to properly address a duke.

Emilia resignedly hung up her daughter's dress and changed into her own nightgown, slipping into bed and turning out the light, sleeping almost instantly.

The next week past uneventfully enough; Emilia and Samuel speaking together, telling each other of things that had happened. Emilia found that she was happy when she was with her brother and his daughter. Letty was quiet child who rarely cried. She sat there with her little eyes, following her father's movements closely. Jane, who was still in a bit of a mood, didn't take kindly to Letty and would spend most of her time glaring. It was almost ten days after Samuel's arrival that he first met Fredrick.

Samuel had come with Letty and Jane to meet Emilia at Mrs. Lewis' shop. Emilia was just finishing up and tying her bonnet on when Samuel arrived, just as Fredrick burst into the shop.

"Fredrick," Emilia beamed at him, becoming flustered.

"Emilia, good evening, this must be your brother?" He looked at Samuel, nodding amiably.

"It is, Samuel, this is Fredrick Lewis, Mrs. Lewis' elder son."

"Pleasure to meet you," Fredrick smiled brightly.

"Likewise," Samuel looked the other man up and down, a small frown creasing his brow.

"I've heard so much about you and I'm thrilled we can finally meet."

"The pleasure's all mine."

"Well Emilia, I musn't keep you, but my brother wanted to give you this. Apparently he couldn't deliver it himself. Well, good evening," Fredrick nodded and moved towards the back of the shop.

"Are you ready? Shall we go?" Samuel asked.

"Yes, let's go," Emilia tucked the letter into her reticule, glancing over at her shoulder at the closed door where Fredrick had just left through.

Once Emilia and Samuel had said their goodbyes after supper, Emilia and Jane headed back into the boarding house. Jane was yawning and could barely stay awake as Emilia helped her wash and change before tucking her into bed. She was just about to follow suit when she remembered the letter in her bag. She took it out and by the light of the dim gas lamp she could make out the neat, curling writing: