Before The Snow Falls | Holiday Novella

The Oblivious

New York City, New York

1867

Nora had been staring at the letter in her hand for at least five minutes. She couldn't bring herself to move. Was this what shock felt like? She was likely going to begin having heart palpitations at any moment.

Actually, it was possible she already was having them. Nora put a hand over her rapidly beating heart to test the theory.

"Uh, Elinor? Are you quite alright?"

Nora heard Oliver come into the room but didn't move from her position at her writing desk. Heavy footsteps moved closer to her. Oliver's face suddenly loomed in front of her.

"Elinor?" He waved a hand back and forth in front of her face.

She didn't move.

"Well," Oliver declared before straightening himself. "If you are not alright, I suppose I shall have to go fetch your mother."

"No!" Nora automatically exclaimed, and a smile broke free on Oliver's face.

"She lives!" he cried dramatically. Well, Nora supposed she was the one being dramatic, but nevertheless. Oliver was annoying.

Nora scowled. "Did my mother see you come in? She will undoubtedly yell at us again if she finds you here."

Oliver shook his head. "Your butler told me she's having a luncheon in the dining room with that old bat Mrs. Wright."

"Oh good," Nora replied, nodding. "That will take hours."

"Now, do tell. What had turned you into a statue?"

"Felix is in Boston." The words slipped through her lips in a barely-there whisper.

Oliver threw a hand over his mouth and wilted on her bed. "The fancy toff comes to America?"

Nora rolled her eyes, though she was internally delighted that Oliver had proven her point: he was infinitely more dramatic than she was. Although she knew he merely jested. "He came with his Uncle Leo, who apparently has business to take care of there," she explained.

"I thought his uncle was the prince consort? Husband to the queen and whatnot?" Oliver asked, his face scrunching up in confusion. "I can't imagine a prince being in any line of business."

Nora shook her head. "Different uncle. Uncle Leo is simply his father's best friend. They aren't blood-related, but Leo has been taking care of Felix since he was little." 

A dawning expression came over Oliver as he comprehended the information. Then he asked, "So when are you traveling to see him?"

Nora looked sharply at her friend. "I am doing no such thing."

Oliver dropped his curly head into his hands, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger. "Elinor, darling, don't be dense," he said through his hand.

"What is that supposed to mean? I know you are better at sums than me, but I am not dense."

Hands dropped from Oliver's face, and he gave her a pointed look. "Why do you think that Felix Graham came to Boston?"

"Why," Nora sputtered, grabbing at the letter from Felix as if to offer proof, "he said that his uncle required his help transporting some goods for his business development."

Oliver flashed a wry smile. "Do you hear yourself? I'm pretty sure this Uncle Leo doesn't need help transporting goods. At least not from Felix. That's what their army of servants are for."