A Broken Promise

Chapter 18

The next few weeks were a rush. After Carrie was finished with the update she was left on her own, with only the occasional meeting with Diana. Ewan had had to leave town and hadn't returned and Georgia wasn't sure if she was happy about it or not.

The house was still full, Rene, Reggie, and Sylvia were all still in residence with no signs of leaving anytime soon since they had all decided to stay for the party which was in less than a week.

It was a beautiful summers day, Georgia had been meeting with the caterers and had just returned, feeling that she had finally made sense of one of the most worrisome aspects of the party. Entering the house she was stopped in the hall by Mrs. Charles, Ruth, and Carrie.

Carrie, as usual was out of sorts, acting as if the sky was about to fall at any moment, and Mrs. Charles had a worried expression but was by no means acting as if the world was about to end. Giving a silent sigh Georgia turned to Ruth handing over her satchel. Ruth took it and held it close as if it contained state secrets.

"Is there a problem Mrs. Charles?" Georgia asked pleasantly.

"A bit of one Ms. Dawson. It appears that-,"

"Some of Mr. Mailler's friends have arrived unexpectedly and I'm unsure what to do. I don't know if they are expecting to stay here and if they are we don't have any rooms available. I don't want to upset Mr. Mailler but I just don't know what to do?" Carrie cut Mrs. Charles off with her heated explanation.

"Let's meet them and see, shall we?"                   

Georgia opened the door to the parlor and was floored when she saw Collin and a very pregnant Moria.  "Collin, Moria what a lovely surprise." Georgia couldn't help but grin as she took her time hugging them. She pulled back and looked at Moria's stomach. "When are you due?"

"In about six weeks. I'm surprised that Ewan didn't tell you, we wanted to take one last trip before the baby came," Collin said putting his arm around his wife.

Moria was looking over Georgia's shoulder with a questioning glance. Georgia turned to see Carrie watching them with her mouth all but hanging open but at least Mrs. Charles had the grace to look unconcerned. "Please meet Moria and Collin Shealy. Moria and Collin this is Mrs. Charles who keeps us all in line and Carrie O'Dell, she is Mr. Mailler's sister's assistant."

Georgia smiled. "First I think we need to get organized.  You'll stay here of course Mr. Mailler wouldn't want it otherwise." She hugged them again. "It's so good to see you both. Give us just a moment and I'll be back."

She moved out into the hallway with Mrs. Charles and Carrie on her heels.

"There is nowhere to put them!" Carrie hissed.

Georgia just ignored her since she was no help and turned to Mrs. Charles. Ruth was waiting at the end of the hall by the kitchen.  "Ruth, would you please ask Ms. Levitt for some tea and sandwiches, perhaps a beer for Mr. Shealy." Ruth nodded and turned to do as she was asked. "Mrs. Charles how soon can you have my things taken out of my room and moved to one of the maid's rooms upstairs? I have no doubt that you keep them all at the ready for just such an occurrence."

"If I can get their luggage, I can have you out and them in in less than half an hour."

"How do you know them?" Carrie asked not even bothering to follow the conversation.

"That's none of our business Ms. O'Dell." Mrs. Charles cut her off refusing to even let Georgia answer. Georgia squeezed her arm in thanks. "Give me one moment to ask about the luggage."

Their luggage was in the car out front so Georgia asked for the keys and had Mr. Charles pull it around to the garage. Then she made a point of telling Carrie that she should go find Diana and fill her in since she might like to come and greet her brother's guests.