Emily's Choice (Rough Draft)

Chapter Two

Countless trunks of all sizes were in the process of being piled in the entryway. Two liveried footmen were just setting down one of the largest trunks Emily had ever seen when she stepped into the hall. Around the luggage, a small pug was scratching at the floor.

"Look, Rosalind," Emily said, tugging her cousin's arm and pointing at the small animal, "Aunt Lawrence has brought her pug."

"Oh, joy. I was afraid she would," Rosalind responded through clenched teeth. "If there's one thing I absolutely hate, its dogs."

"I am really quite sure I told you I would be here yesterday! I don't understand why you would think I would be here tomorrow." Both cousins flinched at the shrill voice that was coming through the open doors. "The rain caused a bit of a delay, naturally, but here I am. Now, where is my dear niece?"

Going up on the tip of her toes, Emily whispered, close to Rosalind's ear, "If we run now, there's a chance we can hide out somewhere until dinner time."

"Why couldn't you have thought of that earlier!" Rosalind hissed back as their aunt sailed through the doorway.

Mrs. Carolyn Lawrence was a heavy set woman and, at first, she didn't seem to see Emily or Rosalind standing by the stairway. Her hair, which was a suspicious yellow that didn't look at all natural, could be seen peeking out the sides of her rather enormous bonnet. Her eyes, which were sharp and narrow, focused on the trunks. "Be careful with those!" she admonished the footmen, fanning herself with her hand. "How I detest traveling! So inconvenient and tiresome! Oh, there you are, Emily!"

At this sudden exclamation, Emily forced herself to move forward, holding her hands out. "Hello, Aunt Lawrence," she said as the footmen made their escape from the scene. "How are you?"

"As well as can be expected," Mrs. Lawrence said, turning her head for her cheek to be kissed. "You know how ill I always get when traveling. And dear Lucien is more than I can bear, but I could hardly leave him behind! Where is Rosalind when I need her?"

"I am here, Aunt Lawrence," Rosalind said, coming forward with a resigned air. "Do you have need of me?"

Critically, Mrs. Lawrence looked the tall young women over. "You have been walking out in the mud, Rosalind," Mrs. Lawrence accused. "There must be three inches of mud on your shoes. I can see every step you've taken!"

"Oh, you mustn't assign her all the blame," Emily interrupted quickly. "We both went walking and have only just returned. Did not your letter say you would arrive tomorrow?"

Reminded of that, Mrs. Lawrence's attention left Rosalind. "My dear Emily, why would I say such a thing?" she asked. "It has always been my intention to arrive yesterday, and I have told you so for the past three months. You must have read the letter wrong."

Coming through the front door, Mr. Lawrence rolled his eyes. Emily caught herself before she could giggle. "Well, you are here now, so we will not worry about it anymore," she told her aunt. "Now, do you want to rest after your trip? I can show you up to your chamber."

"After twenty years, I believe I know where my chambers are," Mrs. Lawrence said, testily. She shook her head as she untied her bonnet ribbons. "Tea. In the Drawing Room. Now. That should be quite sufficient to sustain me until luncheon."

"Then, I will order tea be made ready and then go change into something more appropriate," Emily told her. She motioned behind her back with her hand to shoo her cousin up the stairs. "You will excuse me, Aunt?"

"Oh, let Rosalind handle such things. She is the companion after all," Mrs. Lawrence advised, taking off her bonnet. She removed her cloak and held both items out to the waiting maid. "And, Rosalind, you must walk Lucien immediately. He has been cooped up in the carriage all morning."