Hello all,

Thank you for your lovely reviews- I appreciate them so much. Without further adieu, the next chapter.

Cheers,

jJustadreamer


"Really Faith, how many more dresses do you need to try on?" Una asked, exasperated. "You've practically worn the whole shop!"

Faith had forced Nan, Di, Rilla, and Una to all go shopping for their outfits for her wedding the next afternoon, promising that they would all get a nice lunch in return for their help. The rest of the clan had been excited at the idea at first, but after three excruciating hours at the same store they all had had enough. Una, however, knew that shopping with her sister always led to disaster.

"Voila!" Faith announced with a dramatic flourish as she stepped out of the fitting area. "I think this might be the one!" The dress was a rich ivory, with silk layers extending from the drop-waist. It was heavily embellished with rice pearls on the skirt, bodice and arms, and the hemline set just above the ankles. Adorned on Faith's head was a mob cap which was all the rage attached to a veil, and she seemed quite proud of her choice*.

"It's certainly... modern." said Una. When they were younger, the sisters used to discuss what their wedding gowns would look like at night when they couldn't fall asleep. Faith had always wanted a designer gown, handmade by the finest designers in all of the land, and Una had simply said that she would be fine wearing their mother's dress. It was not much, but it was traditional and elegant, with the blessings of those no longer with them in the living world but still watching down from the eyes of heaven. The bittersweet memory unexpectedly hit Una like a arrow in the heart, and she quickly found herself a seat, not wanting to disturb the wedding preparations that she would never have. There was a saying, she remembered- three times a bridesmaid, never a bride. It had certainly come true in this case.

"I think it looks very chic!" Di chirped, flipping through the latest bridal magazine. "Although you could get away with a shorter length," she said, pointing to a picture of a bride wearing a gown that hit just below the knees.

"And switch out the mob cap," said Nan, handing Faith a floral silver tiara. "I don't care what the latest fashions are," she continued, with a pointed look at her twin sister, "but those don't look good on anyone."

Faith switched out the cap for the tiara, and everyone agreed that it looked much better.** Even Di had to admit that the latest trends could be a bit curious at times, which made everyone in the room chuckle. They all knew of her small passion for fashion.

She's lucky she's going to become a doctor, Una mused. No other profession would be able to support her tastes. Although it wouldn't be hard for her to find a husband, and in this economy, money is no problem... Una found herself shaking her head at these thoughts. A spinster shouldn't be advising another woman on her romantic pursuits, and Di had never shown an interest in suitors before. Which she did admit was quite curious for a woman who always seemed to be so forward about everything.

"Can we go now?" Rilla's question broke the giggles. "If you all have forgotten, I'm eating for two now," she said, placing a hand over her little bump.

"Looks like Master Ford here is going to be just as demanding as his father," teased Di, wagging a finger. "Not even in this world yet but already bothering his mother."

"Ken is not demanding," Rilla argued as she got up, Faith having headed over to the register to pay after changing. "He merely knows what he wants."

"Well he certainly knew he wanted you." Di side-stepped to avoid a swat from her younger sister.

"Can we stop fighting like children?" Nan asked, rolling her brown orbs. Una sent her a sympathetic look. "We're not in Rainbow Valley anymore."

Una could not help but reminisce at this statement as the four-some left the store. It seemed so long ago, yet she could envision everything in her mind as if it had just happened yesterday. Faith's pig riding incident... the good-conduct club... fainting at church... Father and Rosemary's wedding... Where did the time go? The melodic tune of childhood transcending into the bloom of adolescence and then the chill of adulthood...

Even in the evening, Una found herself lost in the world of the past, racing through the forest, grass swishing at her ankles, with someone chasing close behind. The sweet hum of laughter ringing through the sticky summer air filled with chatter quenched by the refreshing splash of the pond. Of stories and tales and dreams awaiting in the future, of destiny calling to be fulfilled.

It took several tries for her to be awoken from her incandescent reverie.

"Una!" Matron Katherine waved a hand in front of the younger woman's face. "Hello, Earth to Una!"

Una looked down to find the kettle flooded, the water running aimlessly down its sides and through the drain. "Sorry, Katherine. " She turned off the water, capped the kettle and placed it on the lit kerosine stove. "Something's just on my mind lately."

"Oh really?" Katherine raised a brow in amusement. "I would never have guessed."

Una chuckled. In the past couple weeks, the two women had established a familiar rhythm that she had grown to depend on. Ever since their first meeting during her interview, Matron Katherine and Una had gotten along quite well, their more thoughtful and practical natures matching up nicely. The comradeship had provided Una with support and a certain understanding that she had been unable to find throughout her life. It was not a bond of a friend, no, but something much greater that she had yearned for for a very long time. The bond of a mother. Rosemary was a good step-mother, kind and sweet and always willing to listen, and it was by God's grace she came to save the Meredith children. But something about Katherine just clicked. Una couldn't explain how or why- she just knew that she was incredibly grateful for this connection.

"Ghosts of the past," Una said honestly.

Certain shadows emerged in Katherine's eyes that Una herself recognized. "That's understandable. They say that time heals all wounds, but that's only partially correct, isn't it?" Katherine grabbed the kettle, now whistling, off the stove and poured its contents into the new china Una had purchased for the settlement home. "The wounds may heal over time, yes, but the scars remain forever."

"I was thinking more of better times," Una said, taking her seat at the table with her teacup, "but that's certainly true." It was uncanny how Katherine could dissect her thoughts sometimes.

"That's just life I suppose. An endless experience of phenomena and emotion- happiness, sadness, pleasure, pain- there is no other truth," Katherine said tenderly, gingerly bringing her teacup to her lips.

"No one can say that I have not lived a fulfilling life, then." Una said this more airily than she expected, a laugh coming from deep inside of her. Their newfound understanding was freeing, and Una found herself lighter than she had felt in a very long time. In time, perhaps, she could reveal her secret, the deepest recesses of her soul, to this woman, this guardian, this confidante, this... kindred spirit. Yes, that's more fitting.

A knock on the swinging kitchen door interrupted the budding conversation.

"Come in Marie!" Una called, clearing her throat.

The blonde woman entered nervously, her palms clasped tightly together at her waist. She looked clean, and healthier now, the color returning to her face after a few proper meals. A blue and brown gingham dress adorned her slim figure, and the woman actually managed to make it look presentable and quite elegant, Una noticed. It had a habit of making everyone else look rather mumsy.

"If you could take a seat," Katherine gestured to the chair they had saved for her at the table.

Una dipped her pen into the ink as Marie sat down in front of them. "We just wanted to get some things correct so we can better help your case," she explained. "A dear friend of mine is in law school, and he's agreed to assist us in finding a solution. The paperwork has already been filed, so no need to worry about that, but we intend to help you solve your scuffle, so we'll need to know the whole story."

"The unabridged version," Katherine added.

"There's no need to help with the- with my troubles," Marie stuttered. "It's just the matter of a loan. Once I get the cash, I'll pay him back and everything will be fine."

"And how do you intend to make this money?" asked Katherine, her usually calm features turned stern. "If I may remind you, you have a child on your chest that needs your attention. And those- those activities- are not looked upon as a proper vocation at this shelter, Miss- what was it?"

"Bouchard. Miss Marie Eva Bouchard."

"Miss Bouchard, then. This home has been in operation for almost thirty years, by the grace of God, and we do not intend to ruin its reputations due to the actions of one woman."

"I understand." If she was intimidated, it certainly did not show on her face. "I'm willing to put in the extra hours necessary to pay my dues."

"That's fine and well, but it will not be enough. Money may be fast to come by with the economy surging, but here we intend to find honest occupations for our wards, and you are no exception. Tell us your story, and we'll take it from there."

"You don't understand-" Marie was cut off by Una's pleading look. She could not refuse the request of the woman who saved she and her daughter's life. "Very well, I'll tell you the whole thing, but don't say I didn't warn you. The less you know, the better."

"Knowledge is power." Katherine rebutted.

"Have you ever been in love?" Marie asked the two women sitting in front of her.

"No."

Una chose to stay silent.

"Well that's how it all began. I was born into a wealthy family in Montreal in 1890- my mother's side was descended from an English Earl- and so we had the money, even if we had lost the titles due to the law of succession. My parents always wanted me to be a proper lady of society- charm school and all- and for a while it worked, and they were even discussing sending me to finishing school in France. But I chose to take a different route, and through the support of my grandmother, I was able to convince my parents to send me to McGill University, where I intended to earn my B.S. in chemistry*** and maybe join nursing school in the future."

Una looked up at the blonde in front of her in surprise. How did such a brilliant woman fall so low? To each her own, she supposed.

Marie continued. "But I fell in love along the way. I met a man named Robert Jones, who was studying architecture. We intended to get married after we both graduated, but the war broke out before we were even able to announce the engagement to our families. He enlisted immediately, and I followed as a V.A.D."

Una nodded. She knew this part of the story. Matron Katherine had her face pinched in scrutiny.

"I'll spare you the gory details of the war, but we both returned in the early months of 1919, and announced our plan to our families. But my family is strict Catholic through my father's side, and his was devout Methodist- and they refused to accept the union. I was stuck between the duty to my family and the power of love, and I thought he was as well. But I was wrong about the ways of men."

Matron Katherine had a wistful look in her eyes, as if she had the same experiences. Una decided she would somehow have to ask about it later.

Marie continued. "We had one night together, in the summer, before we were to return to our respective homes- and we gave into our passions. I thought that he would leave the expectations of his family for me, but instead he chose to take over the family business- and he left the next morning without a word. His family is a prominent business family, you see, and they have connections all over the empire- and he did not want to give up his comfortable life. When I found out about the child, my family agreed to support me, but only if I gave her up. But how could I? She was the only person I had left in this world."

"So I came to Toronto for a new start, hoping to put my degree and V.A.D. skills to use, but who would accept a unmarried mother for a position?" Marie let out a little bitter laugh. "So I did what I had to do to survive to get some cash. I took out a small loan from one of my... associates- his name was Richard Brown- but I wasn't able to pay it back in time. And he's sent his goons after me because I threatened to spill our relationship to his wife." She clasped her hands together neatly. "And that's the whole story."

"Well, that's very interesting." Matron Katherine said as Una jotted down the remaining information on the pad. "I'm glad you told us the truth, and we'll see what we can do from here."

"I'll take your leave." Marie exited the room hurriedly, not even looking back to see their reactions.

"Well, that was.. Something alright." Una said. "Looks like we're in for a ride of a lifetime." She didn't want to be heavily involved in this woman's personal life, but if her job was at stake she assumed that it would just have to get done.

"It's more simple than you think," Matron Katherine said, putting the china away. "We're not going to mess with this woman's love life. That's her own issue. The only thing we must worry about is her paying back the money she owes. Do you think your friend could help with that?"

Now the problem sounded more doable, and Una breathed a sigh of relief. "He'll be able to help with the money issue, no problem. His practicality makes him good at finding loopholes and solutions and such. But I doubt he'll be able to help with her relationship strains."

Katherine made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a snort. "Our passions can either bring us to life or destroy us. In this case it's the latter."

A short while ago, Una would have readily agreed with the matron, but now she felt as if she was stuck in a dilemma. The minister's daughter side of her wanted to condemn Marie for her impropriety, yet the woman inside her understood the wield of love. Perhaps if she had been more passionate, her life would be different right now. Una was startled by these thoughts. I'm no sinner!

"Y-yes, of course." Una quickly helped put the remaining dishes away, and rushed out of the house as soon as possible, shame tingling on her fingertips. How could she have thought such a thing? With her upbringing, it shouldn't have even crossed her mind.

Una found herself running, both away from the home and from her fickle heart. She finally collapsed on a bench in Hyde Park, a couple yards away from a baseball game being played by some young men. She hung her head, her hands in her lap. How could she feel so ashamed for something she hadn't even done? She remembered a verse at that moment: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us****." She lifted her head, her breath more calm now. Another verse came into her head: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.*****"

Una rose from the bench, finding strength in the familiar verses. She realized, with a pang in her heart, that she was always able to see the best in others, but never in herself. It was a hurtful awakening, but a much-needed decree from above. She needed to forgive herself and accept herself for all that she was, rather than constantly trying to be what everyone else wanted her to be. She was not born to be some martyr- Katherine was right- she was here to experience the highs and lows of life, not perpetually punish herself and bow down to the whims of others. A new vitality filled her that she had not felt since early childhood, and Una resolved that she would put her whole soul into helping Marie get out of her situation. She had never felt so sure of something in her entire life. Heaven had put her in this situation for a reason, and it was time to embrace her new destiny.


The next evening, Una, Di, and Shirley ate hot mince pie for dinner with caramel custard for dessert. It was all handmade by the new chef extraordinaire, Una, who apparently could now make magic in the kitchen. After the meal, the trio clustered together with steaming mugs of coffee in the small living area over the pile of notes and paperwork Una had collected from her new ward.

"So let me get this straight," Shirley said, reviewing Una's handwritten notes over the session. "This woman had a relationship with Richard Brown, stole his money, and then threatened to tell his wife about their affair when she couldn't pay it back."

"She took out a loan, Shirley, and asked for an extension when she couldn't pay it back. It's not like she waltzed into the man's office and stole from his safe," Di retorted.

Una rolled her eyes. Must the siblings argue at everything? They were still giving each other annoyed looks, the tension from two nights ago still present in the air. "She had a newborn to take care of. That doesn't leave you much time for anything else."

"Still. She should have known her limits."

Di and Una shot each other a look. Of course men wouldn't understand the time and effort it took to raise a child.

"Shirley, it takes time for a woman to recover from childbirth, and then they have to adjust to feeding and taking care of their baby. It's not easy, being all alone with no support. Babies are helpless and need all the attention, day and night," Di explained.

"Then perhaps she should have been more careful with her intimate relations."

"Shirley!"

Una sensed another fight and quickly butted in. "It doesn't matter what she did in the past- I only need to know what we can do now to diffuse the situation."

Shirley thought for a moment before responding, his brows furrowed in concentration. "I've met with Richard Brown before."

"How so?"

"He's a prominent member of The Bank of Toronto.******I met him during one of our financial law seminars that I was able to attend at the university. He seemed like a honest man at the time, but who knows what's lying in these business men's pasts."

"It seems like nothing is straightforward these days," admitted Di. "I felt stifled in P.E.I., and I'll never regret my decision to leave, but sometimes you miss the honest and goodness of character that the people there had. They may have gossiped, but in the end I truly believe we all wanted the best for each other."

Una found herself agreeing with that statement. The city had given her a new purpose and a new voice, but there was something special about the comradery of their little community back home. "So what do you think we should do then?" she asked.

"Usually I could find a loophole to get out of this situation," Shirley said, his brown eyes narrowed. "But the Bank of Toronto has so much power in the city that it's just safer to acquire the funds to pay them back than to be stuck in the cross-fire."

"We don't have much time with the mobs about. I don't know what else I can do." Una sighed. This is what she had been worried about- the settlement home nor Marie had enough money to pay back the bankers, and with mob crime on the rise, they would have to find a solution quickly.

"You say this woman had a beau. His name was Robert Jones, correct?"

"Yes, but he ran off to take care of the family business. I don't even think he knows about his daughter."

"Well, it looks like we've got our next lead," Shirley said triumphantly.

"What?" both ladies said in unison.

"It's simple. We'll just have to track down Mr. Jones."


*&** I based Faith's wedding dress off of the one worn by Lady Mary in Downton Abbey. I believe Faith would have wanted the most fashionable gown, and Lady Mary is always dressed in the new trends. The dress is still conservative enough for a minister's daughter, but it has the new looser styles and embroidery seen in the 1920s. I ditched the mob cap that was popular (because it was, to be frank, really ugly) and decided to go with the floral headband seen on Lady Mary, albeit in silver and not in diamonds.

***McGill university also has a strong legacy of education women in the early 20th century. In 1888, the first women graduated with B.A.s and in 1901, Harriet Brooks graduated with a degree in electromagnetism. In 1910, Maude Abbott was awarded an honorary medical degree and Annie Macloed finished her P.h.D. in Chemistry. In 1917, "women outnumber men in the Faculty of Arts."

Source: McGill University- Blazing Women

****&***** 1 John 1:8 and Ephesians 4:32, respectfully.

****** The Bank of Toronto was Toronto's leading bank through this time period, and it had a long an established history in the 1800s. It played a heavy role in the war marketing war bonds, and many of its members played significant roles in WWI. However, Canada's banks were highly unstable until the 1920s, when stricter regulations began to result in criminal charges. In fact, "Canada has had only two bank failures since 1923, while the US has had over 17,000." Since it's still the early 1920s, I'm going to take the liberty of assuming that these regulations were still a bit more leniant, and that's how we can fit in Richard Brown and Marie into the story. My characters and their plotlines are completely fictional, and have nothing to do with real-life events of the bank, but they are based off of real history of the 1920s such as monoplies, bank consolidations, and mob crime.

Source: Toronto There and Now blogspot, and The Canadian Encyclopedia (including the quoted section)